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AIIB Launches Report on Transformative Concept of Defining Nature as Infrastructure
DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) today launched its 2023 Asian Infrastructure Finance report, titled Nature as Infrastructure, with a panel discussion at its COP28 pavilion.
Amid accelerating climate change, the increasing value of carbon capture and the ongoing degradation of biodiversity globally, the concept of Nature as Infrastructure arrives at a pivotal moment. Viewing Nature as Infrastructure offers a transformative approach for recognizing the value of nature and enhancing investment in the protection of nature and biodiversity.
“It is high time for us to come to terms with nature; we cannot keep asking for more,” said AIIB President and Chair of Board of Directors Jin Liqun. “This process of reconciliation must begin by understanding and recognizing the value that nature can offer us. Our ambition must be to turn the idea of nature as infrastructure from an abstract concept into an impactful asset class that commands increasing levels of investment and regulatory attention.”
Viewing Nature as Infrastructure entails mitigating the impact of human development on nature. It includes nature-based solutions, direct investments into nature assets to sustain critical infrastructure-like services and directing more finance toward nature. Potential solutions toward a nature-positive future were discussed during the panel and is explored further in AIIB’s 2023 Asian Infrastructure Finance Report: “Nature as Infrastructure.”
Following AIIB President Jin’s opening remarks, the panel was moderated by Devex Executive Vice President and Executive Editor Kate Warren, and joined by industry-leading commentators from across the world, including Erik Berglof, Chief Economist, AIIB; Jang Ping Thia, Lead Economist, AIIB; Simon Zadek, Executive Director, NatureFinance; Institute for Climate and Society Executive Director Maria Netto Schneider; Valerie Hickey, World Bank Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy and Rebekah Brown, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Monash University.
“MDBs must work to close the financing gap to adopt a more nature-friendly development path and reverse biodiversity loss,” said Erik Berglof, Chief Economist of AIIB. “We must go beyond ‘do no harm’ and even beyond ‘nature-positive’ investment and look at how we can draw on the full potential of nature. This means unlocking fresh financing from our balance sheets, deploying new lending instruments and using our convening power to better mobilize private finance.”
Incorporating nature into investments is already a key priority for AIIB and the report supports the existing strategy at the Bank. During the AIIB’s 8th Annual Meeting in September 2023, AIIB unveiled its inaugural Climate Action Plan (CAP), which set out the Bank’s ongoing commitment to combatting climate change through four key principles. As part of the CAP, AIIB signaled its intention to focus on solutions that simultaneously mitigate climate change, build resilience, enhance adaptation and offer cobenefits for biodiversity and nature conservation. Viewing nature as infrastructure and integrating nature-based solutions into infrastructure design will enhance climate resilience.
Drawing on extensive data and case studies from all over the world, the report points to opportunities to maximize nature as our most critical infrastructure. Building on the basic understanding that there is a need to understand the value of nature—as well as how the economy of countries and sectors depends on nature—the report goes on to discuss how nature can provide infrastructure-like services, which in turn should influence how gray infrastructure and investments in nature’s restoration are made.
It shares examples of how better design can mitigate the impact of gray infrastructure and help people build greener infrastructure. In particular, the report looks at how China, Indonesia and Bangladesh adopted nature-based solutions to restore or renew nature. For example, tree planting in the northern countries of China was found to have a beneficial impact on dust conditions for countries further south without compromising agricultural productivity, mangrove planting in Indonesia was found to reduce losses from tidal floods and the wetlands of Bangladesh support critical primary industries and livelihoods.
All these examples demonstrate the importance of testing the best solutions customized to the local environment. Successfully and sustainably harnessing nature as infrastructure requires scientific research, effective implementation, consultation and engagement with local communities and a combination of policy incentives, including short-term fiscal support and commercial investments. The report also applies these tools to value natural capital in the Bank’s own projects.
The report also explores how various financial tools instruments can be used to channel more financial flows to nature and build on nature as infrastructure as an asset class. The report notes that there is a particular need to assist low-income economies, many of which are adversely affected by climate-related disasters, and how multilateral development banks like AIIB can catalyze efforts to mainstream nature into all development considerations.
Putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action is a key thematic priority at COP28. AIIB and the COP28 Presidency are collaborating to mobilize much-needed climate investment capital and accelerate clean energy investments to address critical resource gaps in Asia and beyond.
The report can be read in full on AIIB’s website here.
About AIIB
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrow—infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and have since grown to 109 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and Triple-A-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with partners, AIIB meets clients’ needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aiib-launches-report-on-transformative-concept-of-defining-nature-as-infrastructure-302003814.html
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa met this week with Zambia’s former Vice President and Special Envoy Enoch Kavindele to discuss SADC’s candidate for the AfDB
President Mnangagwa, who is SADC Chairperson, reaffirmed his own country’s and SADC’s enthusiastic support for Zambian candidate Sam Maimbo
LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Special Envoy Kavindele released the following statement following the meeting:
“I am elated to witness the growing success and momentum of Sam Maimbo’s candidacy to become the next President of the African Development Bank. I am filled with gratitude to our friends across both SADC and COMESA for their continued support and good wishes.
Sam has garnered such wide consensus due to his being uniquely qualified to deliver the transformative change and empowerment our continent needs. Sam’s 30 years in development work is defined by driving outcomes, improving processes, and investing in people. The AfDB needs a hands-on leader who is laser focused on delivering results and who is unafraid of making tough decisions in order to best serve our continent. Sam is that leader. Sam has the track record and experience to drastically enhance the pace, scale, and impact of the Bank’s work in service of the people and governments of Africa.
Our region has a proud history of supporting fellow Southern Africans. For example, we all recall Lusaka’s role in hosting the African National Congress’ headquarters during the dark days of Apartheid oppression.
It therefore gives me no pleasure to observe my South African brothers, who have themselves leant on Zambia’s steadfast friendship over many decades, fail to rally behind both SADC and COMESA’s chosen candidate for the AfDB. Africa’s urgent economic development challenges demand transformational leadership at the AfDB, it is all of our responsibility to put forward the best candidate for the job. This is not the time or place for a government to act with narrow self-interest, we all must act in the continent’s and AfDB’s best interest.
I thank Sam Maimbo for his lifelong service to our entire continent, and I am eager to witness his enormous impact as President of the AfDB.”
LONDON, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Heimdal Security shares a practical holiday cybersecurity checklist, offering expert insights to help businesses safeguard against cyber threats this festive season.
With reduced staffing, remote work setups, and a surge in online shopping creating heightened vulnerabilities, this guide offers actionable tips to enhance business security.
Going beyond basic advice, the checklist also highlights the most common holiday scams and features videos showcasing real-life examples of Christmas-themed cyber scams and effective prevention strategies.
Key Tips to Protect Businesses This Holiday Season:
- Strengthen endpoints: Ensure devices are updated with antivirus and endpoint protection software; consider Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and application whitelisting.
- Prepare for phishing spikes: Train staff to identify suspicious emails, enforce robust email filters, and establish protocols for reporting unusual activity.
- Secure remote access: Mandate VPN usage, monitor unusual logins, and deactivate inactive accounts temporarily.
- Segment and shield networks: Isolate sensitive areas, deploy DNS security and advanced firewalls, and maintain full visibility over network traffic.
- Apply timely patches: Regularly update all systems and test patches in a controlled environment to minimize disruptions.
- Mitigate supply chain risks: Assess vendors thoroughly and limit their access to essential systems.
- Have a response plan ready: Tailor incident protocols for the holidays, create an on-call rotation for the IT team, and enable rapid action against suspicious activity.
“ Cybercriminals thrive on holiday distractions, but with proactive measures like phishing training, secure endpoints, and network segmentation, businesses can stay ahead of potential threats,” said Alex Panait, System Administrator at Heimdal Security.
Common Holiday Scams That Businesses Should Watch For:
Cybercriminals often tailor their tactics to exploit the festive season. The most common scams include:
- Spear phishing: Emails disguised as holiday bonuses or event invitations that steal credentials or spread malware.
- Malicious holiday E-Cards: Festive greetings that contain links deploying ransomware or spyware.
- Fake E-Commerce sites: Fraudulent websites offering discounts to steal payment information.
- Insider threats: Distracted or disgruntled employees mishandling or exploiting sensitive data.
- Corporate travel scams: Fake booking platforms targeting business travelers.
- Business email compromise (BEC): Fraudulent requests for urgent wire transfers during year-end financial rushes.
For more, read the full article here or watch the video on YouTube to see how these threats unfold and learn actionable prevention strategies.
About Heimdal:
Established in Copenhagen in 2014, Heimdal® empowers CISOs, security teams, and IT administrators to improve their security operations, reduce alert fatigue, and implement proactive measures through a unified command and control platform.
Heimdal’s award-winning cybersecurity solutions span the entire IT estate, addressing challenges from endpoint to network levels, including vulnerability management, privileged access, Zero Trust implementation, and ransomware prevention.
For further press information:
Madalina Popovici
Media Relations Manager
[email protected]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/stay-cyber-safe-this-holiday-season-heimdals-checklist-for-business-security-302337465.html
Fintech PR
According to Tickmill survey, 3 in 10 Britons in economic difficulty: Purchasing power down 41% since 2004
The people who have the most problems are women (30%) and are between 35 and 49 years old (39%)
ROME, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The purchasing power in the UK has dropped by 41% over the last 20 years. Today, £100,000 left in a bank account since 2004 without being invested would now be worth £59,021.
This figure is one of the findings from a study conducted by Tickmill, an international online trading broker that compared the economic situation in the UK and the European Union through the infographic “Purchasing Power and Cost of Living: UK vs EU”.
The analysis reveals a slight decline of 0.4% in the UK’s purchasing power, which currently stands at £41,573. In contrast, the European Union has seen a modest rise of 0.1%, reaching £40,874.
Why is purchasing power declining in the UK? One key factor is the cost of living. If the UK were still part of the European Union, it would rank as the fifth most expensive country, behind Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Unsurprisingly, 3 in 10 Britons are struggling with the cost of living. Women (3 in 10, compared to 25% of men), those aged between 35 and 49 (4 in 10), households earning less than £15,000 (6 in 10), and single parents (1 in 2) are among the most affected groups.
Among UK nations, Northern Ireland is the hardest hit, with 34% of its population facing financial difficulties, followed by Wales (31%), England (28%), and Scotland (22%). In England, the North East has the highest percentage of people struggling, with 4 in 10 residents affected. Even in London, the high costs impact 1 in 4 adults.
In response to these challenges, Britons are making significant adjustments:
- 53% have cut back or delayed spending on smaller items like eating out, entertainment, subscriptions, clothing, toys, books, etc.;
- 52% have reduced household energy consumption;
- 48% have decreased their grocery spending;
- 41% have scaled back or postponed major expenditures, such as holidays, cars, and weddings;
- 26% are working longer hours, taking on overtime, or pursuing additional jobs to earn extra income.
The British also made changes on the financial side. One in four adults has been forced to dip into their savings or investments to cover daily expenses. Moreover, 44% have stopped saving or investing entirely or have reduced their savings and investments—a 4% increase compared to 2023.
The lack of investment is another critical factor contributing to the decline in purchasing power. It is estimated that 13 million UK residents hold £430 billion in cash deposits but do not invest. The reasons? Seventy-four percent say they cannot compare investment products effectively, and 43% are afraid of losing their money.
A lack of knowledge and fear are preventing many savers from taking advantage of an important opportunity: preserving or increasing their purchasing power in the long term.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586123/Tickmill.jpg
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