The Blue Economy and Green Economy are the main topics at Nature Summit 2025 in Panama City this week, where the future of sustainable finance is being shaped. A recurring theme in closed-door sessions and public panels alike is the rise of the Blue Economy — and how traditional financial institutions are adapting.
SDG News Speaks to KPMG’s Sarah O’Connell
SDG News talked to Sarah O’Connell, Sustainability Manager, at KPMG, and she shared her perspective on the private sector’s evolving role in sustainable finance.
SDG News: With trillions in private capital sitting on the sidelines, what’s the missing link that will give investors the confidence to back nature-positive and climate-resilient infrastructure at scale?
Sarah (KPMG): “Standardized metrics remain the barrier to unlocking private capital for nature-positive investments. Without an ecological equivalent to the GHG protocol, investors can not credibly value or compare opportunities, thereby inducing risk. A standardized measurement framework will give investors the confidence to deploy capital into climate-resilient infrastructure at scale.”
As government leaders from around the world, and Panama in particular, share experiences and successes in green and blue finance, and make the case for more investment at the Summit, the need for transparency, accountability and trust is clear.
SDG News: What accountability frameworks should be put in place to prevent greenwashing and bluewashing as countries and companies race to meet net-zero and biodiversity targets?
Sarah (KPMG): “To combat greenwashing, corporate accountability must integrate science-based targets into strategy development and standardized reporting. When companies align with frameworks such as Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and implement rigorous third-party verification, sustainability claims become credible, comparable, and aligned to the latest scientific guidance.”
The same is true for governments and others worldwide. In the fast-evolving landscape of sustainable finance, Sarah’s message resonates: metrics and accountability aren’t just technical details — they are the foundation for unlocking transformative impact.
Related Article: Robert Maersk Uggla on the Future of the Blue Economy at the Nature Summit in Panama City
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