As climate impacts intensify, biodiversity loss accelerates, and inequalities widen, countries are facing urgent pressure to secure the financing needed to achieve their development goals. The latest episode of The Nature Pledge Podcast explores what it will take to align global capital with people and planet in this rapidly shifting landscape.

Hosted by Sean Lees, Nature Pledge Coordinator for UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, Episode 12 features Şebnem Şener, UNDP’s Head of Private Finance for the SDGs. Together, they examine whether today’s sustainable finance efforts are truly addressing systemic risks or simply operating at the margins.

Şener discusses why sustainable finance—despite being both profitable and essential—still requires active promotion and greater adoption. She also reflects on how growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty are reshaping investment decisions, and what this means for countries striving to advance their climate and development priorities.

The conversation offers clear insights into the future of sustainable finance and the systems-wide shifts required to deliver long-term, resilient progress. For policymakers, investors, and development practitioners, this episode provides timely perspective on how finance can better serve people and planet.

Listen to the episode by clicking here for Spotify or clicking here for Apple Podcasts.