New CBA Reimagining Nature Finance and Inclusive Capitalism Fellow announced
The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance is delighted to announce the appointment of Justin Adams OBE as the first CBA Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Fellow for Reimagining Nature Finance and Inclusive Capitalism.
The Fellowship aims to pioneer a new understanding of how nature finance can catalyse transformative economic change and address the pressing social, economic and environmental challenges of our time. It also emphasises inclusivity, to help ensure that the voices of local communities, including Indigenous Peoples, are central to shaping new financial mechanisms.
Endowed by the Eranda Rothschild Foundation, the CBA’s Fellowship explores innovative financial and policy frameworks to support the transition towards a circular bioeconomy, delivering both cutting-edge insights and practical, actionable solutions.
The Fellowship will go beyond voluntary markets for carbon and biodiversity credits, focusing on a broader vision for a nature-positive economy that recognises nature as a critical engine of long-term prosperity. This includes, for example, exploring hybrid models and non-market mechanisms that drive ecological restoration and equitable economic development, as well as developing an understanding of financial, cultural and power barriers.
Justin Adams brings a unique blend of experience from institutional finance, government advisory and the environmental sector. As co-founder of Ostara, Justin is leading work to reimagine systems and inspire transformative change through nature connection and collective imagination. This aligns directly with the ambition of the Fellowship: to catalyse bold, systemic change by addressing the root causes of ecological and societal challenges. With over 30 years of experience, Justin has held senior roles with Generation Investment Management, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Economic Forum, providing him with a well-rounded perspective on the intersections of finance, nature recovery, and sustainable development. Justin also serves as an Advisory Board member and is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery (LCNR) at the University of Oxford. This will ground the Fellowship in cutting-edge research on ecosystem restoration and Nature-based Solutions. Ostara through Justin will complement this by bringing expertise in fostering transformative dialogue processes, ensuring the Fellowship not only generates new insights but also drives meaningful, systemic change.
Justin Adams said: “We are at a pivotal moment and urgently need to reverse ecological decline. To do this, we must go beyond incremental change and embrace bold, imaginative solutions that address the root causes of our crises. This Fellowship, created by the visionary leadership of the CBA and the Eranda Rothschild Foundation, offers a unique opportunity to combine rigorous research with inclusive, community-driven dialogue. Together, we can reimagine how we value and finance nature, unlocking a future where people and the planet can thrive in harmony. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this transformative work.”
Marc Palahí, CBA CEO said: “Justin’s leadership and experience in the finance, private and public sectors will ensure that the Fellowship makes a transformative contribution to reimagining finance around nature and people to catalyse the circular bioeconomy transition that our world needs.”
Michael Clyne, Executive Director of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism which has collaborated with the CBA for the Fellowship, said: “Throughout his distinguished career and study, Justin has built diverse coalitions and incubated unique solutions at the heart of inclusive capitalism. As the CBA Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Fellow, he will help drive the next generation of nature-based solutions, ensuring that our financial ecosystem also supports the resilience of our natural ecosystem.”
Read more about the launch of the Fellowship at St James’s Palace in November 2024, including comment from Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Trustee of the Eranda Rothschild Foundation.
