Finance
UK’s first public-private nature fund raises $86m to restore landscapes at scale
Public funding alone can’t fill the financing gap for long-term nature restoration projects that mitigate the impacts of climate change, says environmental fund manager Finance Earth.
The London, UK-based firm drove that point home earlier this month when it announced a £64.6 million ($86.4 million) first close of its Big Nature Impact Fund LP, which blends anchor capital from the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with backing from institutional investors.
Part of the UK Nature Impact Fund platform, the Big Nature Impact Fund is the UK’s largest-ever nature-as-infrastructure fund, and the first to combine public and institutional investment for nature restoration projects.
Defra provided a £30 million ($40 million) cornerstone investment, while the remaining capital came from Zurich Insurance Group, Admiral Group, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and the Church of England’s Social Impact Investment Programme.
The fund is targeting a final raise of £90–120 million ($120–$160 million).
Defra unlocking private finance ‘at scale’
The fund’s structure could provide a blueprint in future for others, suggests Finance Earth investment director Rich Fitton.
The Defra contribution, in particular, could help de-risk investment into nature projects for more commercial backers.
Defra’s capital sits at the bottom of the fund’s cashflow waterfall, absorbing first losses and only seeing returns once the private investors have recovered their capital in addition to a 7% preferred return.
For every £1 of public money, the structure is designed to unlock at least £2 of private investment.
“Structuring Defra’s capital as downside protection was fundamental to unlocking private finance at scale into what remains a relatively new asset class,” Fitton told AgFunderNews.
Taking a cue from renewables
Rather than acquiring land outright, the 12-year fund will partner with landowners and project developers, funding woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat projects across England. Revenues will come primarily from verified carbon credits and biodiversity units sold under offtake agreements, rather than from timber, farming, or land price appreciation.
Describing the model as “nature as infrastructure” helps lower the psychological barrier for institutional investors unfamiliar with natural capital, explains Fitton.
“We design the funds to make it look and feel and smell as much like a traditional infrastructure fund as possible, because the underlying investments do look a lot and live like infrastructure investment.”
Both share high upfront capital expenditure, multi-decade revenue streams, and a clear path from development through to the operational phase.
“We see the natural capital sector as following in the footsteps of those more established sectors,” explains Fitton. “This is a familiar structure of investment but in a new asset class: nature.”
The exit strategy borrows directly from renewable energy and what happened as solar and wind energy matured as asset classes. Finance Earth is targeting a five-year mark as a key inflection point when woodland and peatland projects typically hit their first carbon credit verification event.
At that point, the assets should become attractive to the so-called “YieldCo” funds that buy stabilized, operational assets and take on only market risk, not construction or development risk.
The fund will invest only in fully verified credits, sidestepping the more common practice of selling pre-verification carbon credits in UK voluntary markets. It is also one of the first funds to receive the Financial Conduct Authority’s new “Sustainability Impact” label.
Beyond England
Fitton acknowledges the challenges ahead. Natural capital remains a “loose term” covering everything from commercial timber to biodiversity credits, and the markets underpinning the fund’s revenues are still nascent. The fund is betting that high-integrity projects, particularly mixed native woodland rather than monoculture commercial forestry, will command a price premium as buyers become more discerning.
With its first close complete, Finance Earth is now deploying capital against an identified pipeline of over £100 million in projects.
Its ambitions also stretch beyond England, with future funds planned for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These and other projects could lay groundwork for replicating the blended finance model in other jurisdictions where a public or philanthropic anchor investor is willing to absorb first-loss risk.
This week also saw the UK arm of investment firm Capital Continuum Advisers merge into Finance Earth to create what the company says is “one of the world’s leading specialized platforms for climate and nature investment.”
CCA UK brings its carbon and nature project structuring expertise into Finance Earth’s fund management capabilities, and the latter will take on CCA UK’s pipeline of carbon projects in Africa and Southeast Asia.
“This is a useful model that can be replicated elsewhere,” Fitton says. “Watch this space.”
Financial professional speaks with two clients in an office. While AI may largely influence fewer job listings for particular finance jobs, it is also starting to provide a few opportunities as well.
Getty
Artificial intelligence is completely revolutionizing corporate finance departments and Wall Street investment firms. As intelligent automation streamlines complex data processing, many ambitious professionals are left asking a critical question: will AI replace jobs in finance?
The real answer to this industry-wide anxiety is nuanced: Instead of eliminating careers entirely, AI is aggressively reshaping everyday job descriptions and elevating what it means to be an expert. To successfully survive this transition, you must look past the initial panic and understand where there are challenges and where there are new avenues for professional growth.
Artificial intelligence began reshaping finance several years ago through algorithmic trading, but the recent explosion of generative AI has accelerated its influence. Today, machine learning models analyze massive datasets, simulate complex economic scenarios and automate routine reporting. AI’s presence is also projected to grow exponentially into a foundational industry standard.
Modern AI capabilities have evolved. Intelligent systems now utilize natural language processing to read market reports, flag accounting mistakes and automatically organize corporate banking files. According to a global financial technology trend report, companies are doubling down on this tech to save time. Because of these massive time savings, major banks are changing how their teams work every day. The integration of AI into the financial sector presents significant challenges, such as targeted corporate downsizing and security and compliance risks.
The threat of downsizing is very real. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, Wall Street banks are projected to cut up to 200,000 jobs over the next few years due to intelligent automation.
Junior associates and entry-level analysts are some of the most affected, as their roles often involve routine reporting and basic financial modeling. The most significant displacement occurs in positions dedicated to basic bookkeeping, transactional accounting and manual data entry. This trend extends into related fields, where high-volume data verification and standard retail banking roles are seeing fewer available job listings.
The AI boom has also created an entirely new category of specialized, hybrid finance roles, with more opportunities poised to emerge as technology advances.
A recent Boston Consulting Group report notes that most banks are deploying AI for basic activities rather than for those that drive transformation. To fix this, companies are desperately looking for specialized human teams who can use AI tools to drive real, high-level business growth. As automated software handles basic computation, financial professionals are still needed to manage, audit and interpret those pipelines. Instead of producing reports, financial professionals are validating the reports AI generates in hybrid roles.
Fintech giant Klarna previously cut hundreds of customer-facing and back-office roles due to automation, but subsequently rehired for hybrid positions that require human interpretation.
Over the next decade, completely new career paths will continue to emerge. Much like mastering the market’s highest-paying trade skills and jobs, long-term career security in finance now belongs to those who develop specialized, practical expertise.
The division of labor is fundamentally shifting, as seen in these five defining hybrid career paths reshaping the current market:
An AI automation engineer in finance is a specialized professional responsible for designing, deploying and monitoring automated workflows for core accounting processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and financial close acceleration. They essentially bridge the gap between traditional software development and corporate financial controllership. Breaking into this highly lucrative field requires a unique blend of corporate accounting knowledge, data engineering and hands-on experience deploying machine learning platform systems. Candidates typically need a background in financial data analysis paired with technical proficiency in scripting and automation tools.
An AI FP&A manager uses real-time machine learning tools to run predictive corporate financial models and “what-if” revenue forecasting scenarios. Instead of manually sorting past quarter spreadsheets, they interpret live data to forecast sudden market volatility and corporate cash flow trends.
Breaking into this field requires strong traditional finance acumen, deep data literacy and the ability to translate complex AI insights into a clear strategic business narrative. Candidates typically need solid corporate finance experience combined with hands-on familiarity with predictive analytics platforms and data visualization software.
An AI governance and compliance manager directly manages the critical ethical, legal and regulatory boundaries that govern automated workflows across corporate financial systems. As autonomous software increasingly dictates credit scoring, lending algorithms and audit loops, these officers ensure that machine-driven decisions firmly hold up under strict SEC and accounting rules.
Breaking into this high-stakes field requires an expert background in risk management, corporate audit procedures and financial ethics. Candidates typically need a deep understanding of compliance frameworks paired with the ability to identify algorithmic bias, data flaws or security leaks in financial models.
An AI RevOps analyst brings technology, sales, marketing and corporate finance together. This role uses machine learning algorithms to spot hidden leaks in the company’s revenue pipeline, optimize pricing structures in real time and tell leadership exactly where their next dollar is going to come from.
Breaking into this field requires a solid understanding of financial cash flows and the ability to manage modern revenue platforms and predictive software tools. Candidates need to be comfortable looking at data across multiple departments and translating those numbers into advice for executives.
An AI quantitative portfolio strategist uses machine learning models to build, test and run next-generation investment strategies. Instead of guessing how the market will move, they design automated algorithms to instantly scan alternative global datasets — like supply chain shifts or consumer sentiment trends — to protect and grow client capital.
Breaking into this high-stakes field requires traditional asset management acumen, data literacy and the curiosity to ask unconventional questions about market anomalies. Candidates typically need a background in financial research or portfolio management combined with hands-on experience using predictive investment platforms. Financial professionals must intentionally shift away from manual calculations and pivot toward strategic advisory roles. Prioritizing a blend of technical expertise and leadership communication can minimize the negative impacts of AI and protect your long-term value on the open job market.
Thriving in this new environment requires mastering two distinct skill sets:
AI can easily generate a report, but it cannot explain the truth behind the numbers. By remaining completely transparent and data-driven, you transform from a basic data tracker into a highly relevant, trusted advisor that executives rely on.
AI is not likely to eliminate the finance workforce. It is much more likely to transform existing financial careers, with the future pointing to a collaborative ecosystem in which professionals use judgment, handle strategy, manage relationships and implement ethics while machines handle rapid computation.
That said, professionals need to adapt early to tech-driven workflows to aim toward long-term career stability. Traditional career ladders are shifting, making your ability to ask critical questions and assertively pitch data-driven solutions much more valuable than traditional skills.
Lucrative career paths are expanding for senior advisors who possess the executive presence to guide corporate decision-making. Career longevity belongs to professionals who pair baseline financial acumen with tech-focused data skills, relentless curiosity and the strategic communication needed to guide executive decisions.
How AI Has Impacted The Finance Industry
The Potential Risk AI Imposes on Finance Jobs
Where AI Is Creating New Job Opportunities In Finance
1. AI Automation Engineer, Finance And Accounting
2. AI Financial Planning And Analysis (FP&A) Manager
3. AI Governance and Compliance Manager
4. AI Revenue Operations (RevOps) Analyst
5. AI Quantitative Portfolio Strategist
The Skills Finance Professionals Need To Stay Relevant
Could AI Actually Take Over Finance Jobs?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Finance
Jacksonville city council approves sending 1-mill renewal decision to voters following finance committee delay
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Voters will get to decide on extending Duval County Schools’ 1-mill referendum, also known as a property tax, this November after a delay from the city council finance committee caused public outcry last week.
The Jacksonville City Council voted 15 to 0 after discharging Ordinance 2026-0387 from the finance committee onto the floor during Tuesday’s regular council meeting.
Many council members spoke in favor of giving voters a chance to decide on extending the property tax.
News4JAX spoke with Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier following the vote.
“Our teachers won a great victory tonight. I’m really proud of the City Council, very thankful for their questions last week,” he said. “I think they gave us an opportunity to clear up the message and the work tonight puts it on the ballot in November and now the people get to make a decision.”
The finance committee deferred the ordinance last week, which delayed the decision on whether voters would get to weigh in on extending the 1-mill property tax that first passed in 2022. The school board voted 6-1 in March to send the renewal to city council.
The measure needed council approval to appear on the November ballot.
Some council members previously pointed to the proposed statewide property tax cut from state lawmakers in Tallahassee as a reason for the delay. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan addressed the holdup at a news conference Thursday, saying she did not believe the council has grounds to stall.
“The role of the council, in what I’ve been told, is to simply be in a ministerial and managerial role — just making that request happen,” Deegan said. “So I don’t think council has a role here beyond saying ‘this is what you want, we’ll put it on the ballot.’ I don’t really understand the debate.”
Duval County Schools says the 1-mill tax will generate about $121 million a year and will fund teacher and employee pay, arts programs, and athletics. It is not a tax increase — it would maintain the current rate. For a home valued at $300,000, the tax amounts to about $300 a year.
John Meeks, a teacher and first vice president of Duval Teachers United, said the delay put educators’ livelihoods in jeopardy.
“I think the only result of these delays could be the endangerment of our teachers’ well-being,” Meeks said. “There’s no increase. It’s just a keeping of the status quo, which has allowed our school system to have the A grade that it has today. I don’t think we can afford to go backwards.”
Tiffany Clark, a parent and advocate with Parents Who Lead, said the holdup pulled focus away from what matters.
“This is getting tied up in a way that it shouldn’t,” Clark said. “This is only about teachers and that’s it, and that is where the focus needs to be.”
Dr. Bernier encouraged voters to research the 1-mill before heading to the ballot box.
“I think our voters have to do their due diligence just like the City Council did. They have to dig into the issues, they have to understand how the money is being utilized and how aggressive we’ve been of being good fiduciary and good stewards of this money and that will allow them to make an informed decision,” he said.
Voters now have the final say on the renewal if the measure reaches the November ballot.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
Separation vessel at the Devon Enrgy SAGD plant under construction south of Fort MacMurray in north Alberta. (Photo by Adrian Greeman/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Just a few short weeks after completing a $58B merger with Coterra Energy earlier in May, Devon Energy received an offer of $8B for its shale assets in the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania. The offer, from money manager Stone Ridge Asset Management, covers about 190,000 net acres and could become the largest asset-backed securitization funding ever attempted in the United States oil and gas sector. (Source).
As noted in Business News Today, the Coterra merger gave Devon both assets and exposure across the Marcellus, Anadarko, Eagle Ford and Williston Basins, with the attendant risks and opportunities. Devon must now show that it can handle such varied assets, or else divest itself of those not related to its core business.
The Marcellus assets are expected to account for approximately twenty percent of Devon’s 1.6M barrels of oil equivalent (boe)/day production forecast in 2026. (Source). Part of the importance of the Stone Ridge offer is that it provides a clear price point for Devon’s Marcellus assets, and not a theoretical framework for discussion of value. While Devon DEO Clay Gaspar has indicated that Devon might divert some non-core positions, the company recently has been in an expansion mode. On May 20 it was the biggest buyer of oil and gas drilling rights on federal land in New Mexico and Texas at an auction held by the federal government. In fact, Devon was responsible for $2.5B out of the total $4B sale, a record for such auctions.
Regardless of whether Devon accepts the Stone Ridge offer, the fact of the offer itself shows the value of such wells in Pennsylvania. As of February 2026, the Keystone State has 281,000 wells which produce an average of 1,073,895 million cubic feet (mcf) per natural gas well. (Source). That makes Pennsylvania the second largest producer of natural gas in the United States, accounting for approximately 19% of the national total. (Source). This is an extraordinary statistic given that approximately twenty years ago Pennsylvania had almost no natural gas industry at all.
Pennsylvania’s natural gas reserves doubled from 2013 to 2023 and now reaches an estimate of 101 trillion cubic feel (Tcf). (Source). As the state uses only about one-quarter of the natural gas that it produces, Pennsylvania truly becomes the “keystone” for surrounding states in providing natural gas, especially to states north and east like New York, which has plentiful natural gas reserves but chooses not to develop them, or New Jersey which has limited reserves.
In addition, the Marcellus Basin assets have demonstrated low decline rates. As such there is talk that these assets might lend themselves to securitization of individual wells, which could be appealing to potential investors looking for an interest in energy assets. This is made possible by the lower depletion rates, making these assets attractive to investors over the longer term. (Source).
Likely then, Stone Ridge would partner with an operator to extract the natural gas while using its financing skill to develop, produce and sell an investment vehicle. If successful, this could help revolutionize the energy industry – at least in the Marcellus – and drive up even further the value of Marcellus assets.
However the Stone Ridge offer for Devon’s Marcellus assets shakes out, it could be that the big winner is Pennsylvania. Unlike New York, Pennsylvania welcomed the energy industry, and that industry may continue to make Pennsylvania a strong place to do business into the middle of the twenty-first century.
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