The NatureBacked Podcast

Conner Tidd, co-founder and CEO of Just Vertical discusses the innovative approaches to vertical farming, emphasizing the ease of use and productivity of their systems. He shares insights into the sustainability of hydroponics, the challenges faced by startups in the agricultural sector, and the growth of the consumer market for indoor farming solutions. Tidd also highlights future milestones for Just Vertical, including technological advancements and the impact of current economic conditions on food prices.TakeawaysJust Vertical builds indoor vertical farms globally.Their systems are designed for ease of use and productivity.They have grown over 350,000 plants in various locations.Hydroponics allows for controlled growth conditions.Indoor farming complements traditional agriculture, not replaces it.The startup mentality drives their innovation and growth.Farming remains a labor-intensive industry despite technology.The consumer market for indoor farming is stable and growing.Economic conditions are affecting food prices significantly.Refining technology is crucial for future growth and sustainability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Jojo Mehta, the head of Stop Ecocide International, discusses the concept of ecocide, its definition, and the importance of criminalizing severe environmental harm.She shares her journey into environmental advocacy, the global legislative progress, and the role of international law in addressing ecocide.The discussion highlights the cultural shifts needed to recognize the seriousness of ecological destruction and the potential impact of US politics on the movement.Mehta emphasizes the need for a global acknowledgment of ecocide as a serious crime and outlines future milestones for advocacy efforts.Takeaways Ecocide refers to severe and long-term harm to ecosystems. Criminalizing ecocide aims to create a moral stigma against environmental harm. Legislation is moving forward in various jurisdictions to address ecocide. International law can elevate serious environmental crimes to a new level of seriousness. Cultural shifts are necessary to recognize the value of nature. Ecocide law could restore the International Criminal Court's intended role. The US's non-membership in the ICC limits its influence on ecocide law. Advocacy for ecocide law is gaining momentum globally. The coalition of victim countries is crucial for advancing ecocide law. Future milestones include expanding diplomatic conversations and legal frameworks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ramanan Raghavendran, founder of a venture capital firm Amasia, outlines their investment thesis, which emphasizes behavior change and the circular economy, and shares insights on the challenges facing clean tech and sustainability startups.Ramanan also highlights the importance of consumer behavior in driving sustainable choices and offers advice for navigating the investment landscape in the coming years.Takeaways Amasia focuses on sustainability and climate-related investments. Investing in software-based businesses is a key strategy. Behavior change is essential for addressing climate issues. The circular economy plays a crucial role in sustainability. Consumer choices can significantly impact sustainability efforts. 2025 to present challenges for sustainability-focused companies. Exploring alternative financing sources is vital for startups. Hope and passion are important for entrepreneurs in tough times. Investors should look beyond traditional VC funding. Sustainability is a mission worth pursuing. We talked also about Ramanan's book In Our Hands: Getting To A Sustainable Planet With Behavior Change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Tarmo Virki interviews Alix Lebec, an expert in innovative finance, focusing on the intersection of finance and sustainability. They discuss the importance of innovative finance in addressing climate challenges, particularly in water infrastructure.Alix talks about her journey from the World Bank to building WaterEquity with Gary White and Matt Damon to founding Lebec, an investment advisory.Alix shares insights on the role of private investment, the need to integrate climate risk into asset valuations, and the urgency of sustainable solutions.TakeawaysInnovative finance blends philanthropy and traditional finance to address sustainability.Private capital is increasingly needed in water infrastructure investments.Climate resilience is crucial as water demand will exceed supply soon.Integrating climate risk into asset valuations can change investment dynamics.Insurance companies reflect the actual costs of climate risks.Water is a fundamental resource that impacts all sectors.Investing in sustainable solutions can significantly boost the global economy.Storytelling is essential to inspire action against climate challenges.Young people can make a difference through conscious consumerism.Collaboration among asset owners can drive innovative finance strategies.The cover visual for the episode was created by Le Chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Szur from Altitude Water discusses the innovative approach to water purification through atmospheric water generation. Szur emphasizes the importance of nature's processes in creating pure water and the company's unique technology that utilizes ozone for purification.The conversation with host Tarmo Virki explores the growing industry of atmospheric water generation, the environmental impact of bottled water, and the importance of community building and sustainable solutions.Szur shares insights on future goals for 2025, focusing on collaboration between for-profit and nonprofit organizations to create lasting change.TakeawaysAltitude Water focuses on creating pure water using nature's processes.The company uses atmospheric water generation to harness humidity.Ozone is a powerful natural purifier that Altitude Water utilizes.The bottled water industry contributes to environmental issues.Atmospheric water generation is a growing $3.6 billion industry.Community building is essential for sustainable solutions.Effective charity considers long-term impacts and sustainability.Altitude Water aims to provide clean water access in remote areas.The technology is designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.Future goals include expanding community partnerships and disaster relief efforts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Kristin Hull discusses the mission and operations of Nia Impact Capital, an asset management firm focused on aligning investments with values, particularly in the context of sustainability and social impact.She emphasizes the importance of investing in companies that contribute to a just and sustainable economy while debunking the myth that impact investing cannot yield profits.Hull also addresses the political challenges facing sustainable investing, the significance of diversity in asset management, and the urgency of transitioning to sustainable investment practices to combat climate change.TakeawaysNia Impact Capital focuses on investing with intention and purpose.The firm has been fossil fuel-free since its inception.Impact investing can be profitable and sustainable.Research shows divesting from fossil fuels can yield better returns.Political challenges exist but do not deter sustainable investing.Young investors are increasingly conscious of their investment choices.Women and diverse leaders are underrepresented in asset management.Investing in women-led firms can lead to better economic outcomes.The urgency of climate change necessitates immediate action in investing.Collective action in investing can lead to significant societal change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joonas Plaan, a board member of the Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF), discusses the importance of sustainable investing, the role of NGOs in guiding corporate responsibility, and the challenges of quantifying nature's value.Joonas shares insights on successful restoration projects in Estonia and the growing trend of companies supporting environmental initiatives, highlighting the need for a shift in how businesses perceive their relationship with nature.Fiona Alston interviewed Plaan live at Impact Day festival in October 2024.Takeaways The Estonian Fund for Nature focuses on marine issues, climate change, forestry, wetlands, and volunteer work. Investors should prioritize sustainable projects over fossil fuels and greenwashing. Collaboration between NGOs and companies can guide sustainable investments. Nature restoration projects are becoming legally mandated in the EU. Companies can be profitable while being environmentally responsible. The value of nature is often difficult to quantify in monetary terms. Successful restoration projects can attract corporate support without expecting returns. Mastercard's initiative shows how companies can contribute to environmental causes. The future of corporate responsibility includes more investment in nature. Changing perceptions about nature's value is crucial for sustainable business practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Fiona Alston interviews Anna Lundin, an investor at Norrsken VC, Europe's largest early-stage impact investor. They discuss Norrsken's mission, Anna's transition from Spotify to impact investing, the importance of funding in Africa, and the future of impact investing, emphasizing the need for profitability alongside social and environmental impact.Takeaways Norrsken operates as a hub for impact entrepreneurs. Impact investing is resilient even in tough VC market conditions. Anna's transition to impact investing was driven by her desire to create a better future for her daughter. The VC ecosystem is about building networks and finding the right founders early. Norrsken is exploring investments in alternative energy sources like fusion and geothermal. The recent political climate has heightened the urgency for impact investors. Anna envisions a future where all investments consider impact and profitability. The choices we make in spending and investing can drive change. There is existing technology to capture 90% of CO2 emissions. Funding needs to be directed towards impactful innovations. The episode cover is made with Designer. Powered by DALL·E 3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spirit of sharing, we swapped episodes with Ryan Grant Little of Another Climatetech Podcast, and we are airing one of his great interviews: a conversation with comedian Stuart Goldsmith.Goldsmith shares his unique approach to addressing climate change through humour, and his journey from experiencing climate anxiety to using comedy for resilience and connection. Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of confronting climate dread with laughter, his audience's reactions, and humour's role in motivating action. He also reflects on the collective experience of climate anxiety and the need for a supportive community to navigate these challenges. Cover picture: A humorous illustration depicting climate change is made with Designer. Powered by DALL·E 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the mission of Native; a company focused on protecting and restoring rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs while supporting Indigenous guardians.Founder Rob Cobbold emphasizes the importance of engaging the public in climate action through transparent carbon markets and the need for a holistic approach to valuing ecosystems. The conversation also covers sales strategies, the significance of Indigenous rights, project scaling, growth plans, and the integration of NFTs in their model, all while addressing the challenges of building trust in carbon markets.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Native and Its Mission01:55 The Concept of Three by Three Meters05:12 Challenges in Carbon Markets07:47 Sales Strategy and Target Audience10:33 Indigenous Rights and Land Ownership13:48 Growth Plans and Marketing Strategies16:57 Building Trust in Carbon Markets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices