We cannot choose between the environment and the economy. We need both.
This realization is at the heart of an emerging economic and environmental concept, often termed “the green economy." Greening of economies is not seen as a drag on growth, rather a new engine of growth that includes a net generator of decent jobs, resource efficiency, and social inclusion.
The Conservation Impact Bond connects deep knowledge and real influence in key sectors to build local green economic projects that generate significant cultural, economic, and environmental co-benefits. The sectors invited to the table are First Nations, Habitat Growers, Businesses, Investors, Government, and Evaluators.
The CIB model addresses several major challenges at once, by offering opportunities for job creation, cultural wellbeing, green recovery, and climate-smart natural infrastructure. Working together, each sector is collaborating efficiently and strategically to accelerate investment in solutions to these challenges and scale up co-benefits.
A guiding principle for intercultural collaboration, Two-Eyed Seeing provides the gift of multiple perspectives. “It encourages the realization that beneficial outcomes are much more likely in any given situation when we are willing to bring two or more perspectives into play,” writes Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, who developed the concept.