Stephanie Pfeifer is CEO of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), a European-focused investor-led membership organisation.
As world leaders meet in Belém for the so-called Amazon COP, the global financial community should seize the opportunity to declare its commitment to managing the growing investment risks posed by deforestation in the Amazon and beyond.
Besides emphasising their support for a global transition towards sustainable supply chains at the COP30 talks, investors can also help unlock the investment and financing opportunities that such a transition makes possible.
The financial impacts of deforestation-related risk are broad and growing. For long-term asset owners such as pension funds and insurers, exposure to deforestation can affect everything from investment performance to reputational resilience. For investors more broadly, addressing deforestation exposure is increasingly part of fulfilling fiduciary duty in a world with compounding climate- and nature-related risks.
Tech tools to improve supply chain traceability
To that end, many investors are already taking meaningful steps to address deforestation risk.
Some are working directly with portfolio companies to improve traceability, strengthen supply chain policies, and support the economic inclusion of smallholder farmers. Others are using geospatial tools and satellite data to monitor deforestation in real time and inform engagement discussions. There has also been positive momentum in integrating deforestation into risk assessments, stewardship strategies, and exclusions policies.
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This work cannot be done in isolation. For investors looking to accelerate action, collaboration will remain key. Global initiatives like the Finance Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA), launched at COP26, have raised the bar of ambition for investors seeking to address agricultural commodity-driven deforestation risks in their portfolios.
EUDR should be implemented without further delays
While previous COPs highlighted the urgent need to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, only a few countries have taken steps to drive that action through policy.
One of the few jurisdictions mounting a comprehensive approach to deforestation is the European Union, with its Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – a prime example of ambitious policy that can transform supply chains while protecting company competitiveness.
In its current form, the regulation frames deforestation as a material business risk and safeguards companies taking proactive steps toward deforestation-free supply chains by ensuring that non-compliant companies are penalised for falling short on due diligence. Given the level of ambition, the multiple changes in direction around the implementation of the EUDR have understandably raised concern.
Explainer: What is the TFFF, Brazil’s COP30 rainforest fund?
Last year’s delay of the EUDR was disappointing for many investors, who view the regulation as a critical lever in mitigating deforestation risk exposure. The EU’s recent announcement that it will no longer propose a further one-year delay but instead implement a six-month transition period to ensure the legislation enters into force as planned is a more positive sign.
We’re pleased that the voices of investors and businesses calling for a timely implementation – given the importance of the law and the work done by a number of producer countries – have been taken into account.
Maintaining momentum, beyond policy
Though some provisions of the EUDR still lack certainty, public policy remains integral to redirecting financial flows towards deforestation- and conversion-free production systems.
A clear, well-designed regulatory environment provides investors with the consistency and confidence to scale solutions and make long-term decisions for financial stability and sound risk management. Continued engagement with policymakers is therefore essential, with COP30 providing a crucial platform to advance public-private dialogue on global deforestation.
Big banks’ lending to coal backers undermines Indonesia’s green plans
It is important to remember, however, that regulation is not the only lever for progress. The need for meaningful investor action – and for maintaining momentum – continues.
When IIGCC assumed the secretariat role for FSDA in 2024, the aim was to advance the initiative’s ambitious agenda and mainstream deforestation action across the investment community. As FSDA concludes its four-year term in December, IIGCC will continue this work through the Deforestation Investor Group (DIG) – an investor-led platform that will maintain momentum for multistakeholder action, align with global goals, and be reinforced by IIGCC’s forthcoming guidance on integrating deforestation into net-zero planning.
Ten years on from Paris, forests are firmly a climate issue The first Global Stocktake underscored the urgent need to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 to keep 1.5C within reach. For the first time, countries were asked to report on forest-related progress, turning pledges into measurable benchmarks and cementing deforestation as central to climate targets.
The conference also built momentum around nature-based solutions, with financial commitments and policy frameworks aimed at protecting tropical forests and empowering Indigenous stewardship. The message was clear: there is no net zero without addressing deforestation.
Now, in the lead-up to COP30, attention is turning to emerging finance mechanisms – such as the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) spearheaded by Brazil – that directly target deforestation.
World failing on goal to halt deforestation by 2030, raising stakes for Amazon COP
For the COP30 presidency and delegates, the “Amazon COP” is a clear opportunity to align the climate and biodiversity agendas, reaffirm their interdependence, and strengthen coordination across the Rio Conventions.
With that stage already set, it’s crucial that the financial sector continues engaging and maintaining dialogues with corporates, policymakers, and the wider range of stakeholders to support global efforts to address deforestation. This includes participation in engagement work such as through the DIG.
Progress remains possible, but the window for action is narrowing as deforestation continues unabated. The cost of inaction will far exceed the investment required to build resilience and end deforestation and land-conversion as soon as possible.
The post Investor action is crucial to maintaining progress on deforestation risk appeared first on Climate Home News.
Investor action is crucial to maintaining progress on deforestation risk
Climate Change
FLIP OFF WOODSIDE TO SAVE SCOTT REEF: Greenpeace, Michael Caton, Thinkerbell mobilise Australia to challenge gas project at Scott Reef
6 November 2026
Greenpeace Australia Pacific has joined forces with Thinkerbell and iconic Australian actor Michael Caton on a major public movement and behaviour change initiative to save Scott Reef, calling on Australians to “flip off” gas corporation Woodside. The company plans to drill for gas at Australia’s largest oceanic reef, home to vulnerable green sea turtles, endangered pygmy blue whales, and thousands of marine species, off the coast of Western Australia.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE
At the heart of the collaboration is somebody who knows a thing or two about fighting off corporations to protect a home: Michael Caton. Set in a courtroom, Caton gives his voice to a voiceless inhabitant, a green sea turtle, and together they invite the public to show their support to save Scott Reef.
Designed to shift public behaviour and drive national debate, the movement asks the public to tag their MPs – applying direct political pressure on Environment Minister Murray Watt and Prime Minister Albanese Albanese to “flip off” Woodside’s dirty gas project, which would see up to 57 toxic wells drilled around Scott Reef off the coast of Western Australia.
Voiced by Michael Caton and set to a soundtrack provided by Radiohead, the narrative centres on our hero turtle defending her home from corporate overreach in a courtroom showdown. As the turtle defiantly flips her flippers at Woodside, Michael Caton calls on everyday Australians to take a stand and help save her home.
Michael Caton said: “I’m proud to lend my voice to Greenpeace to help save Scott Reef. The marine life out there can’t speak up, so we need to. Some things are too precious to risk.”
Glenn Walker, Head of Nature at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, added: “Woodside’s dirty gas project at Scott Reef, Australia’s largest oceanic reef, is an environmental disaster waiting to happen, threatening thousands of species, including the extremely vulnerable green sea turtles that nest there. By literally flipping off Woodside and Big Gas, Aussies are cutting through corporate spin and sending an unignorable message to Environment Minister Murray Watt and the Albanese government: save Scott Reef.”
Adam Ferrier, co-founder of Thinkerbell, said: “You can fight a corporation in the courtroom forever, but the real power to deliver lasting protection rests in parliament. Right now, our MPs hold an extraordinary opportunity to safeguard Scott Reef for generations to come. I’m proudly from WA, and I know how much the natural environment means to the people and economy of Western Australia. I’m also sure Woodside wants to do the right thing, and with enough public support and government action we’ll together save Scott Reef.
Paul Swann, Chief Creative Tinker at Thinkerbell notes: “When the stakes are this high, polite ads don’t work. You need an unignorable provocation that galvanises people and puts the pressure squarely where it belongs, on our leaders in Canberra. This isn’t just about protecting a reef; it’s about holding power to account.”
Greenpeace has been campaigning to stop Woodside’s dirty gas plans for years, increasing pressure on the Australian government to save Scott Reef from becoming an industrialised gas zone. From actions aboard Woodside’s gas platform to cinemas across Australia, Greenpeace isn’t backing off in their advocacy to save Scott Reef.
Rolling out across OOH, digital, social and cinema with an interactive landing page, this project will be amplified by high-profile figures urging Australians to take action, tag their MPs, and defend Scott Reef. The movement combines cinematic storytelling with organic social mobilsation and earned media, planned via Thinkerbell’s Alchemy model to drive real behaviour change and impact.
Marking their first Australian tour in 15 years, English rock band Radiohead will play 16 arena shows across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in May and June 2027. A $2 donation is included in every ticket price with proceeds going to Greenpeace Australia Pacific and the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Radiohead will match the final amount raised.
ENDS
WATCH NOW:
FOR ASSETS OR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Adam Ferrier | 0413 633 344 | adamferrier@thinkerbell.com
Kimberley Bernard | 0407 581 404 | kbernard@greenpeace.org
ABOUT THINKERBELL
Thinkerbell is a 9-year-old independent creative company. We practise Measured Magic – the coming together of marketing science and hardcore creativity – to help our clients build their brands and change behaviour.
ABOUT GREENPEACE
Greenpeace Australia Pacific is a global independent campaigning organisation that uses peaceful protest and creative confrontation to expose environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
Climate Change
Jimmy Barnes, King Gizz lead Aussie music supergroup on new release to save Scott Reef
SYDNEY, Monday 9 November 2026 — Australian music icons Jimmy Barnes AO, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Fred Leone, Gordi & Montaigne are among the more than 20 Australian artists who have joined forces to release a new song with an urgent message: save Scott Reef.
Released today, “If Not Now” is a reimagining of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Environmental Music Prize-winning song “If Not Now, Then When?”, and is a collaboration between Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Green Music Australia, and p(doom) Records.
Scott Reef is a 15-million-year-old ancient coral reef located 270 kilometres off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. It is Australia’s largest oceanic reef and is home to thousands of marine animals and endangered species, but fossil fuel corporation Woodside plans to drill up to 57 toxic wells under and around the reef, threatening to turn it into an industrial gas zone.
“If Not Now” is the reef’s first and only release, out on all digital platforms and on limited edition 7” vinyl. The song is accompanied by cover art and visualiser from acclaimed Australian artist and ARIA-winning music video director Jonathan Zawada (Flume, The Avalanches).
Speaking about the track, Stu Mackenzie (lead singer, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard) said: “Why are we still digging up coal and gas? Why are we allowing this? Why is the Australian government so hell-bent on destroying our beautiful wild and untouched places? I’m proud that a King Gizz song was chosen to represent a growing movement of people who are asking these questions and applying pressure. Let’s shut it down and keep it beautiful.”
Rock legend Jimmy Barnes AO said: “Scott Reef is one of the few pristine reefs left in the world and it happens to be on our doorstep. We’re custodians of it — we’re supposed to be looking after it. It’s ridiculous. We must protect our country and look after what we value most, which is the nature and the beauty of this country.”
Hannah Schuch, Senior Campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “I’m filled with hope by the incredible musicians and artists who are using their voices and skills to amplify the voices of half a million Australians who are calling on the government to stop Woodside’s nature and climate-wrecking gas plans and save Scott Reef. Australian music has long been a powerful catalyst for change, so saving Scott Reef is a no-brainer for Australian music lovers.”
Contributing artists (in alphabetic order):
- Alex Lahey
- Brinkley Davies (marine biologist/freediver)
- Birdland
- Close Counters
- DOBBY
- Fred Leone (Artist of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs, singing in Butculla)
- Gordi
- John Butler
- Jimmy Barnes
- King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
- Leah Senior
- Mahalia Barnes
- Montaigne
- Ngaiire
- NIDALA
- Peppa Lane (Spacey Jane)
- Ruby Rodgers (2026 Environmental Music Prize winner)
- Terry Guyula (Drifting Clouds, singing in Yolgu Matha)
- Tom Mahler (The Moving Stills)
- Urthboy
Production cast:
- Becki Whitton (G Flip, Allday, Stella Donnelly)
- Stu McKenzie (King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard)
- Tay Blunt (FVNERAL)
- Tim Shiel (Green Music Australia)
Three generations of the Barnes family, Jimmy Barnes, his daughter, Mahalia Barnes and granddaughter Ruby Rodgers, contributed to the track.
The release comes amid growing national pressure on the Federal Government to save Scott Reef from Woodside’s gas drilling plans.
Last week, a leaked letter from WA’s environmental watchdog to Woodside revealed the agency deemed drilling risks to Scott Reef ‘serious, significant and irreversible’, while Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists occupied a major Woodside gas platform, and Perth communities delivered one of the biggest environmental petitions in Australia’s history to Woodside HQ.
The Federal Government is expected to make a decision on Woodside’s Scott Reef drilling plans in the coming months.
-ENDS-
Media contact
To arrange an interview or for more information, contact Emma Sangalli on 0431 513 465 or emma.sangalli@greenpeace.org
High res images and footage of Scott Reef can be found here (NEW) and here.
Jimmy Barnes, King Gizz lead Aussie music supergroup on new release to save Scott Reef
What might a high-school course look like if it helped students understand climate change—and see a place for themselves in responding to it?
Not simply a course about emissions or environmental problems. A course that connects science with the places students know, the decisions their communities face, and the work they might one day do.
Canadian schools already teach climate change and environmental responsibility, including through required curriculum expectations. Ontario’s Grade 9 science course, for example, asks students to assess climate change’s effects on ecosystems and communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Across Canada, however, the depth and placement of climate learning vary, and opportunities for more specialized study often sit within elective courses.
Part 1 explored how we could build on that foundation through sustained learning from elementary school onward, shaped with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis governments, educators, and education authorities.
One next step worth considering is a required senior-secondary course that brings these threads together. Imagine a course called Climate, Land, and Future Economies: a place to explore climate evidence, community resilience, Indigenous governance, practical solutions, and the possibilities of a changing world.
The idea is not to turn every student into a climate scientist. It is to give every student a stronger foundation for the choices ahead—whether their path leads to university, college, an apprenticeship, employment, entrepreneurship, public service, or work within their own Nation or community.
Start with the science—and make room for questions
A meaningful course would begin with sound science: how the greenhouse effect works, how carbon moves through living systems, how energy choices affect emissions, and how scientists study a changing climate.
But the learning could become more engaging when students have an opportunity to investigate questions close to home.
What can local weather records tell us? How do we distinguish a single unusual season from a longer-term trend? What does a climate projection mean for a community planning its roads, housing, or water systems? What can a dataset tell us—and what remains outside its scope?
These questions invite students into the process of understanding evidence rather than asking them simply to memorize conclusions.
They also create space to discuss uncertainty honestly. Students could explore how researchers reach conclusions, why findings sometimes change, and how to distinguish a legitimate scientific question from a misleading claim.
The aim would be informed curiosity: the confidence to ask good questions, find credible information, and explain what the evidence supports.
Look at climate through the life of a community
Climate learning becomes more meaningful when it moves beyond global averages and into the places people live.
A class might explore a neighbourhood with little shade, a community concerned about flooding, or the choices involved in preparing a school for extreme heat. Students could examine a local emergency plan, speak with community planners, or investigate how ho