Jessica Smith

Tagline:Bridging research and practice for equitable finance that supports a nature positive future

Geneva, Switzerland

personal photo of Jessica Smith

About Me

PhD Researcher – University of Cape Town
Fellow – University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Researcher – University of Oxford Leveraging Earth Observation for Nature Finance (funded by the European Space Agency)
Head of Nature and Lead for Academic Outreach – United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Research Interests

  • Indigenous and local leadership in nature finance
  • Biodiversity finance and community-led conservation
  • Integration of environmental and social risks into finance
  • Risk measurement and allocation in conservation finance
  • Earth Observation (EO) data and technology related to nature finance
  • Nature-related financial disclosures and systemic risk
  • Sustainable sovereign debt instruments (e.g., Debt-for-Nature conversions, Sustainability-Linked Bonds)

Education

  • Masters of Commerce

    from: 2019, until: 2021

    Field of study:Development FinanceSchool:University of Cape Town

  • Masters of International Affairs

    from: 2005, until: 2007

    Field of study:Development School:The Norman Paterson School, Carleton University

  • Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies

    from: 1999, until: 2004

    Field of study:Environment & Resource Studies, Business School:University of Waterloo

Publications (examples)

  • Chapter 8: Private Finance, Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance

    Book ChapterPublisher:IUCN The World Conservation UnionDate:2025
    Authors:
    Jessica SmithJohn J. BohorquezTorsten ThieleDavid Meyers

  • Finance for Nature Positive Discussion Paper

    Conference PaperPublisher:United Nations Environment ProgrammeDate:2024
    Authors:
    Natacha BoricJessica Smith

  • Getting Blended Finance to Where It’s Needed: The Case of CBNRM Enterprises in Southern Africa

    Journal ArticlePublisher:LandDate:2022
    Authors:
    Jessica SmithMikael SamuelsonBenedict Moore LibandaDilys RoeLatif Alhassan

  • Financing Nature and Development: Scaling Up Private Investment in Southern Africa’s Community-Based Conservation

    ThesisPublisher:University of Cape TownDate:2021
    Authors:

  • Conserving dryland biodiversity: a future vision of sustainable dryland development

    Journal ArticlePublisher:Taylor & FrancisDate:2014
    Authors:
    Masumi GudkaJonathan DaviesLene PoulsenBjörn Schulte-HerbrüggenKathy MacKinnonNigel CrawhallWilliam D HenwoodNigel DudleyJessica Smith

  • Biodiversity and poverty: ten frequently asked questions-ten policy implications

    ReportPublisher:International Institute for Environment and DevelopmentDate:2011
    Authors:
    Dilys RoeDavid ThomasJessica SmithMatt WalpoleJoanna Elliott

  • Terrain of contention: Making policy for land degradation in post-apartheid Namibia

    DissertationPublisher:The Norman Paterson School of International AffairsDate:2006
    Authors:
    Jessica Smith (nee Jones)

  • Professional Capacity Building for the SADC's Environment and Development Sectors

    Journal ArticlePublisher:Canadian Journal of Development Studies / Revue canadienne d'études du développementDate:2006
    Authors:
    Jessica Smith (nee Jones)

Teaching and Lecturing

  • Academic-Practitioner Convening

    From: 2025, Until: present

    Organization:United NationsField:Nature and Finance

    Description:

    e.g. Convenor - Bridging Research and Practice in Nature Finance, Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, Cali Colombia

  • Guest Lecturing

    From: 2020, Until: present

    Organization:Universities in France, USA, South Africa, Switzerland, UKField:Nature and Finance

    Description:

    Cornell University - graduate and undergraduate
    Sciences Po - graduate
    Columbia University - graduate
    University of Arizona - undergraduate
    University of Cape Town - graduate
    University of Geneva - graduate and executive

  • Academic Panellist and Conference Presentations

    From: 2020, Until: present

    Organization:Universities in Switzerland, Belgium, etc.Field:Nature and Finance

    Description:

    Speaker - The Integration of Biodiversity in Finance and Investments, Brussels School of Governance
    World Biodiversity Forum, Davos - Conference paper and Conference presentation
    Panellist - Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRASFI), University of Zurich, 2023
    Panellist - University of Oxford, Sustainable Finance Summit 2023
    Keynote, EPFL - Can Finance and Technology Make It Work for Nature?

  • Teaching Assistant / Seminar Leader

    From: 2003, Until: 2004

    Organization:University of WaterlooField:Environmental Studies