The workshop Supplement to the Natural Capital Protocol for the Financial Sector, first action of the hub Brazilian of Natural Capital Coalition, was held last Wednesday (30), in São Paulo, at the Itaú Unibanco auditorium. The activity is part of a global series of events focused on consulting the financial sector to encourage the development of a standardized guide. The event is organized by the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), with support from United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), of Natural Capital Coalition It is Natural Capital Finance Alliance (NCFA).

The meeting, aimed at financial institutions, covered introductory concepts of natural capital, its relevance to the sector, and implementation cases for the protocol. "The main objective of the workshop was to demonstrate to the financial sector that there are tools to assist them in decision-making, pointing out ways to develop criteria and standards that take into account environmental, social, and governance aspects," explained Laura Albuquerque, coordinator of the CEBDS Sustainable Finance Thematic Chamber.

Luiz Palhares, Investor Relations Manager at Natura, presented the case of successful implementation of the protocol within the company. In his speech, he challenged the financial sector. "Do you have any way to block investments based on compliance with sustainability criteria?" he asked.

Marie Morice of NCFA presented the supplement's four steps: framing, scope, measurement, and application. Alongside her, Danielle Carreira, also of NCFA, and Anders Nordheim of UNEP FI also addressed the relationship between finance and natural capital.

The Supplement is open for consultation and comments by financial institutions until September 5th, this websiteThe final document is expected in January 2018. Speakers' presentations and other documents mentioned in the workshop are available for download at the links below:

Presentation - Case from Nature
Introduction to the consultation
Financial Sector Consultation Issues
Reference version of the Natural Protocol Supplement
Presentation by Marie Morice (NCFA)
Presentation by Anders Nordheim and Danielle Carreira

Natural Capital Coalition

A Natural Capital Coalition is a unique, multi-stakeholder global collaboration that brings together nearly 250 of the world's leading organizations, initiatives, and organizations that share a vision of a world where business conserves and enhances natural capital. World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is one of the founders of the Coalition.

CEBDS is a member of Natural Capital Coalition, works in its focus groups and monitored the entire process of developing the Protocol with the WBCSD. Companies associated with CEBDS were involved in testing the Protocol, including Natura, Eletrobrás, CPFL, Votorantim It is Amaggi.