{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/61024489a21832001328dbf5/61e5ec4f68eb7b00120c87d5?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"#19: Investing in the Natural Economy","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/undefined/1627538368126-6826112c5be9ba05ccbf67c52871c512.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this week's episode of Impact Unicorns, we turn our attention to Investing in the Natural Economy. The past couple&nbsp;of years has seen an explosion of interest to invest in sustainable land use practices (e.g., reforestation, regenerative agriculture, peatland restoration, rewilding &amp; biodiversity&nbsp;restoration). Many of these natural&nbsp;economy&nbsp;business&nbsp;models are negative-carbon and could avail of the expanding market for voluntary carbon credits.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Under the natural economy banner, there is also excitement around technology-enabled businesses (e.g., vertical farming, nature-based construction materials) that produce food and other materials much more efficiently than traditional pathways. These businesses can often be located in farming and forestry communities, thereby bringing high paid jobs to the region.</p><p><br></p><p>In this podcast, <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottishceo/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Jane Morrison-Scott</strong></a> and <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-valenti-6110868/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Martin Valenti</strong></a> from the <a href=\"https://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">South of Scotland Enterprise</a> - a regional development organization - talk about how they are supporting Natural Economy projects that help the environment, while bringing jobs and prosperity to local communities. We were also joined by <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgfarquhar/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>David Farquhar</strong></a>, CEO of <a href=\"https://www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Intelligent Growth Solutions</a>, who builds community-based vertical farms that can produce a wide range of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and saplings for local consumption.</p>","author_name":"Indranil Ghosh"}