Biodiversity as Natural Capital: How development finance can build climate-resilient economies in the Caribbean

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York Environmental Sustainability Institute seminar

Biodiversity underpins the stocks of natural capital that sustain Caribbean economies, supporting ecosystem services critical to agriculture, fisheries, tourism, water security, and climate resilience. Yet these assets are often undervalued in economic decision-making, despite their growing importance in addressing climate vulnerability and supporting long-term development in Small Island Developing States.

In this talk, Dr Nesha Beharry-Borg, Environmental Economist and University of York alumna, will explore how biodiversity can be valued as natural capital and why it matters for economic development. Drawing on her experience in development finance and climate resilience, she will share how UN agencies, development banks, and climate funds are using investments in nature to strengthen communities, support livelihoods, and build more resilient Caribbean economies.

12:30 - 13:30 seminar

13:30 - 14:00 refreshments for in-person attendees

About the speaker

Dr Nesha Beharry-Borg is an environmental economist with over 15 years of experience working across development finance, the United Nations system, academia, and the private sector. Her work has focused on climate change adaptation, natural resource management, food security, and sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities facing Caribbean Small Island Developing States.

She currently works with the Caribbean Development Bank, where she leads the implementation of an Adaptation Fund-financed climate resilience programme and supports policy development, resource mobilization, and country programming across the region. Prior to this, she served as National Coordinator of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme in Trinidad and Tobago, managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio and working closely with governments, communities, academia, civil society organizations, and development partners.

Before moving into development finance, Dr. Beharry-Borg held research and academic positions at the University of York and the University of Leeds, where her work focused on environmental economics, climate adaptation, water resource management, ecosystem services, and sustainable development policy. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

Drawing on experience from development banking, the UN system, academia, and entrepreneurship, she brings a practical perspective on the links between economics, policy, finance, and environmental sustainability. She holds a PhD in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of York.