An interview with Christine Amour-Levar, Co-Founder Investors for Climate

In our COP28 Climate Solution Insights series, we focus on the dynamic approach of Christine Amour-Levar, the Co-Founder of Investors for Climate and Founder and CEO of HER Planet Earth. Her perspective provides a unique view of tackling climate change through inclusive, innovative, and impactful initiatives.

1. How are some of your organizations approaching climate change?

As the Founder and CEO of HER Planet Earth and Co-Founder of Investors for Climate, two organisation focused on solving the climate crisis, I adopt a dual-fold approach. Through HER Planet Earth, we drive grassroots initiatives focused on enhancing the climate resilience of underprivileged women through projects in wildlife conservation, coral restoration, and sustainable agriculture.

With Investors for Climate, we curate impactful, closed-door networking events facilitating climate-focused investments, driving innovation and sustainable solutions. Our events are attended by family offices, sovereign wealth funds, venture capitalists, angel investors, private wealth management advisors, UHNWI as well as public sector leaders actively investing into sustainability.

2. What’s your top best practice to solve the climate crisis?

I believe one of the best ways to solve the climate crisis is to foster and promote inclusive financial ecosystems, amplifying women's voices in decision-making, and recognizing the immense value women bring to sustainable development. Women bring unique perspectives, empathy, and resilience to the table, crucial traits in navigating complex environmental challenges. Our relationship with mother nature is as old as time, we possess a natural nurturing capacity. As custodians of the Earth, women inherently understand the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues. Diverse leadership, including women in finance, ensures a holistic approach, driving sustainable and inclusive solutions. It's not just about equality; it's about amplifying the impact of climate initiatives through diverse and strategic leadership.

3. What new policy, regulation, or financial initiative do you believe is necessary to solve the climate crisis?

To solve this crisis, we need to be courageous enough to acknowledge that we have to address the root causes of the problem. Just 90 companies headquartered in 43 countries are responsible for two-thirds of all the bad greenhouse gases that we’ve emitted since industrialisation began. All these companies are oil, gas, coal or cement firms. We need systemic change such as taxing carbon, decommissioning fossil fuel infrastructure, and banning new oil and gas exploration. We also need governments and regulators to place a price on pollution, so that everyone pays for their greenhouse gas emissions. It is imperative to place a price on environmental destruction and increased value on protecting biodiversity.

4. Outside of your organization, what climate action inspires you?

I find inspiration in the XPrize and The Earthshot Prizes, led respectively by Anousheh Ansari and Prince William's Royal Foundation. Under Anousheh's leadership, the XPrize catalyses innovative solutions through large-scale competitions, pushing conventional problem-solving boundaries. My participation in a COP28 workshop, guided by Anousheh, highlighted the impactful potential of such initiatives in shaping climate solutions. Similarly, The Earthshot Prizes' ambitious goals and my role as an Official Nominator fuel my optimism for building a resilient and sustainable world.