To protect “our precious planet”, Africa must unite in its collaborative effort, align its efforts and share its strength with international players and partners, the fourteenth Oppenheimer Research Conference (ORC) heard in Midrand on October 15.

Former mining luminary Nicky Oppenheimer emphasised the “very important role” of Africa, ahead of Zimbabwe Environmental, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu warning that the lack of environmental protection was “putting human security at risk”.

The world needs to do what it can to ease nature’s path “and Africa has such an important role to play in that process”, Oppenheimer, the former head of De Beers and former Anglo American leader, pointed out.

“The natural heritage we have is our greatest wealth . . . our conservation efforts are not merely about protecting animals or trees, but really about safeguarding the total fabric of our nations,” Ndlovu highlighted.

“Our shared future depends on how boldly we act today to protect and restore our planet,” ORC organiser and Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation head Dr Duncan MacFadyen told the well-attended event, covered by Engineering News & Mining Weekly.

ORC provides a crucial platform to showcase Africa-led research, and to amplify the voices of African scientists to ensure that sustainable solutions are forged, not only for Africa, but for the world.

“I believe we’re a real heartbeat of conservation worldwide,” said Oppenheimer, with the contribution of the annual conservation get-together growing ever more important amid inexorable global urbanisation.

Reflecting on the global nature finance gap, the event heard that the world is spending less than one-third of what is needed to protect and restore the ecosystem.

Emphasised is that all scientists and researchers need “desperately” to learn from each other and to teach each other and then to teach the world.

Scientific data is helping the world to understand how ecosystems adapt and how communities can coexist with wildlife, forests, and wetlands on a warming planet.

“Let us continue to bridge the divide between research and implementation, ensuring that every discovery fuels development and resilience of the ecosystem. To my fellow policymakers, let us stand firm in our commitment to ensuring nature and climate stay on the highest political agendas. Africa holds many of the world’s remaining natural frontiers and with this inheritance comes responsibilities,” said Ndlovu.

“Without adequate financing, conservation becomes a form of charity, rather than an investment. And progress will be fleeting if we don’t become serious.

“We must therefore strategically move precisely towards a sustainable, predictable and results-based financing, where natural capital is valued as a critical asset for development.

“Investing in nature, in our wetlands, our forests and wildlife is not a cost. It is a catalyst for resilient economies and stable societies and I urge all parties, public and private, to recognise this investment opportunity and prioritise nature.

“After all, over half of the global GDP is dependent on nature and its ecosystems,” added Ndlovu.

But while ORC was under way, it was communicated by Green Central Banking’s Despatch publication that “climate denialism” is sharpening US economic risk and creating regulatory weaknesses.

Just dismantled by US regulators are two climate risk committees at the Financial Stability Oversight Council, part of a sweeping trend to sideline climate finance experts, Ingrid Walker reported.

Experts warn such ideological moves from the world’s top economy are leaving it dangerously exposed, as climate shocks outstrip even subprime mortgage risks on bank balance sheets, the publication stated.

But climate risk doesn’t play politics. Former Federal Reserve supervisor Kevin Stiroh warns that “a shock is a shock. Anything that can impact the real economy should be . . . part of the risk monitoring and assessment process”. Research from Fed economists, which Stiroh also worked on, outlines how banks could use capital buffers to mitigate unpredictable climate exposures.