Nature under the hammer

When

Saturday 6 September 2025
15:00 - 16:30

Format

Hybrid

Cost

Free to book

About

Can markets actually deliver on climate, justice, and biodiversity?

How much investment is really needed to tackle the climate and nature crises – and where will that funding come from? And what does effective investment look like when it comes to delivering benefits for both people and the planet?

This panel debate explores how funding is currently flowing into nature and climate solutions, leaning on real-world examples from land use, forestry, marine systems, and renewable energy. Drawing on expert insights, we’ll look at what combinations of public and private finance have worked, what kinds of returns are being delivered, and where the risks and trade-offs lie.

We’ll also explore how to mobilise smaller-scale, community-led, or in-kind investments, and how to avoid common pitfalls like greenwashing, unreliable offsets, and double-counting. Could Transition principles unlock more trustworthy, long-term investment? Join us for this event to find out more.

Tickets are free, but booking is essential.

Join in person   Join online

 

Event type

Curious

Contributors

Fellowship profile image of Professor Dr Camilla Toulmin

Senior Associate, International Institute for Environment and Development

Senior Associate, Climate Change, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

Camilla Toulmin is Professor in Practice at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre, contributing to teaching and research on African development challenges. As an Associate at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), she engages with thinkers and practitioners in Africa, charting better pathways to economic transformation and inclusive growth. Having led the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) for 12 years, she has now returned to research on climate resilient development for the West African Sahel, including a 40-year longitudinal study on land, livelihoods and migration in central Mali.

Fellowship profile image of Professor James Curran

Professor James Curran MBE FRSE

Chair, Scottish Environment Link

James Curran began his career as a researcher in meteorology, hydrology, and oceanography before serving as Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency until 2015. He later ran an eco-business, chaired the James Hutton Institute, and served on the board of the Green Purposes Company. He has also advised the Isle of Man Government on climate strategy. Currently, he is a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Strathclyde and Chair of Scottish Environment.

Matthew Crighton

Sustainable Economy Adviser for Friends of the Earth Scotland

Matthew Crighton is Sustainable Economy Adviser for Friends of the Earth Scotland. He set up the Just Transition Partnership with the Scottish Trades Union Congress in 2016 and has been Convenor of the Economics Group of Scottish Environment Link since 2013. 

Peter Young

Independent trustee, chair and advisor

Peter is a seasoned environmentalist, currently acting as an independent trustee, chair and advisor. Peter spent 35 years working in the private sector on environmental issues. He has sat on various UK Government and independent bodies concerned with environmental regulation, environmental markets, voluntary standards and investment in nature. Internationally, he was the founding chair of the International Organization for Standardization Committee on Sustainable Finance (ISO/TC322) and was an advisor to the European and Irish Environment Agencies. He co-founded two business-led campaigning organisations – the Aldersgate Group which he formerly chaired, and the Broadway Initiative which he currently chairs. 

Satwat Rehman

Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS)

Satwat Rehman is the Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS). OPFS is the leading charity working with single parent families in Scotland providing expert advice, practical support and campaigning with parents to make their voices heard to change the systems, policies and attitudes that disadvantage single parent families. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the voluntary and public sector in Scotland and England, working in the fields of equalities, education, employability, economic development/regeneration and early years and childcare. Since joining OPFS in 2011, Satwat has been a member of several commissions and advisory groups including the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls and the Scottish Government’s Social Renewal Advisory Board. She is on the boards of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland and Child Poverty Action Group (UK). 

Contact us

If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.

Event testimonial

  • In Shetland, it is difficult or effectively impossible for us to access academic institutions or “science centres” etc., hence these events are even more significant in putting leading scientists in front of the students.
    Primary teacher, Shetland

  • “It was difficult at first but as I was doing it, it got easier because my imagination grew bigger.”

    Primary 6 pupil after taking part in a craft workshop, Paisley
  • Teacher on the Young People’s Signature Event, Dumfries

  • On what made it a positive experience: “The people are not judgemental, and are supportive and friendly. It felt comfortable sharing and working with each other, and making the group a safe environment.”

    Attendee from an RSE project with Youth Work Dumfries and Galloway

  • “The RSE Enterprise Fellowship was truly pivotal in launching my entrepreneurial journey. The program offered the critical time, strategic space, and foundational support required to successfully build my business from the ground up”.

    Dr Sabrina M Malpede, CEO, ACT Blade

  • “The RSE Fellowship is not a shortcut; it is a foundation. It took me from being a researcher with a vision to an entrepreneur with a roadmap, ultimately helping me build the world’s first fully autonomous fund. If you want to transform groundbreaking research into global impact, this scheme is where it begins.”

    Dr. Sonia Schulenburg, CEO, Level E Research

  • Gaining the support of the RSE Enterprise Fellowship was a pivotal early step for Amiqus. Beyond the credibility, mentorship and network it’s helped build lasting relationships and helped flip our potential into real impact at scale. I’ll be forever grateful to the RSE for their early conviction and belief in our plans

    Callum Murray, CEO, Amiqus

  • The reaction from the children in my class said it all. I had a couple of children taking notes during Jeremy’s talk so that they could ask questions (these were children who have little interest in reading, and who don’t have much self-confidence when it comes to their Language work). They loved the session – and I could see some of them practising the ‘air flow’ differences in vowels and consonants at their desks afterwards.

    Primary teacher, Glenluce

  • The speakers worked really well with pupils, effectively pitching content to the age/stage of pupils.

    Primary teacher on our school talks

  • The project has enabled me to spend a dedicated period of time on this research project, which has been an amazing and very fruitful experience.

    Personal research fellowship

  • My award has focused my research on a new field – ageing and immunology – and this has led to new collaborations.

    Small research grant

  • I now have an emerging and growing track record, and hence academic credibility, in the field of wave-energy conversion and control. This opens new opportunities.

    Personal research fellowship

  • The award has provided me with the time and space to accelerate my research and focus entirely on it. I anticipate that this year will be one of the most productive I’ve had in years.

    Personal research fellowship

  • I think the RSE audience was noticeably different to the ‘typical’ audience I experience at public engagement events and definitely seems broader. I would consider working with RSE in future as a means to connect to an informed but very diverse audience.

    Curious contributor

  • The event was inclusive, friendly, open and not too high brow. The speakers were very down to earth and open with their answers.

    Curious attendee

  • The award has strengthened our connection with local communities and healthcare providers. This ensures the project stays grounded in authentic experiences and maximises its potential to deliver inclusive, impactful solutions.

    Small research grant awardee

  • Receiving a research grant from the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a significant boost to my academic career, providing not only the necessary financial resources but also important recognition, which brings opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

    Small research grant awardee

  • This award was absolutely vital to my personal/career development and progression.

    Personal research fellowship awardee

This event has ended

What is Curious?

Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) free festival that celebrates the research, ideas and knowledge shaping society today.

Each year, Curious brings a packed programme of free in-person and online events covering themes from the arts, humanities, policy, science and more. To date, we’ve welcomed over 10,000 attendees for talks, workshops, exhibitions and discussions where you can learn from and speak with Scotland’s leading thinkers. As part of the RSE’s mission to make knowledge useful and accessible for everyone, Curious is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the world around them. No specialist knowledge is needed, just bring your curiosity.

Supported by

The support of the Scottish Funding Council is vital to our work to inspire and share knowledge with audiences, local communities, and future generations.

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