Nature Summit Focuses on Economic Drivers of Climate Action in Panama

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – May 21, 2025

The second day of the Nature Summit began with a focus on the green economy, under the theme “Nature as Infrastructure, Climate as Strategy.” Hosted at the Biomuseo in Panama City, the morning sessions addressed the financial, political, and technical frameworks shaping climate-related investment and policy.

Opening Remarks and Session Objectives

The day opened with a networking session, “Morning Joe,” allowing delegates to wake up and connect with each other before formal discussions began. After participants moved to the main ballroom, Juanita Álvarez, Director of Programs at the PVBLIC Foundation, welcomed attendees and outlined the day’s objective: to examine how nature-based approaches are being integrated into financial systems and national strategies.

Sergio Fernandez de Córdova, Executive Chairman of PVBLIC Foundation followed with remarks emphasizing the need to shift from theoretical discussion to practical implementation.

“This isn’t a summit about what’s possible. It’s a summit about what’s next,” he said.
“Nature doesn’t need saving—we do. Nature evolves over millions of years. We need to evolve to survive.”

Carbon as an Asset Class

The first spotlight presentation came from Ana Maria Zapata, Head of Climate Consulting at StoneX. She explained how financial institutions are beginning to view carbon differently.

“At StoneX, a hundred-year-old financial institution with deep roots in agriculture, we see carbon as a new asset class,” Zapata said.

She also noted the limitations of current policy frameworks.

“There is an urgent demand to address climate change, and the current policies are not enough. If we stay on the current path, we are facing a future 3 degrees warmer, which will devastate communities.”

Panel on Public-Private Finance

The main panel of the morning, “Financing the Future: Public-Private Pathways to Scale the Green Economy,” was moderated by Michael Buhlmann, Founder and CEO of the Rose Tree Group. Panelists included Jan H. Christiansen, Owner of GreenGo Energy Group, and Ambassador Jens Godtfredsen of Denmark.

Christiansen encouraged a solutions-oriented approach:

“Let’s think how can we help instead of what are the dangers we face.”

Godtfredsen focused on the need for predictability in policy to enable cross-sector collaboration:

“I would like openness and stability from the other side.”

The panel discussed ways to mobilize capital from both public and private sources, emphasizing that the success of climate-aligned investment depends on clear regulations, scalable models, and long-term commitment.

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