How can carbon finance do more to strengthen rural livelihoods and empower the communities on the frontlines of climate change? Social Impact Pioneers – Anna Kilpatrick, from PUR, Ann Vaughan & Lilian Gwazayo of CARE, and Olaf Westermann, from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) explore this critical question.
The conversation, in turn, hears from people implementing carbon finance programmes with a focus on deepening livelihood benefits in countries from around the world, including Mr. Matola Sigele in Malawi; Karimi in Cambodia; Emmanuel and Joshua in Uganda.
Together, they unpack how nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and community-led restoration can deliver climate impact rooted in equity and sustainability. The conversation dives into payment for ecosystem services, carbon equity, and the importance of long-term investment in communities that steward forests and farmlands.
You will hear how carbon projects are reshaping livelihoods—improving food security, empowering women, and restoring degraded landscapes. And also some of the challenges – in making these programmes work – whether land rights, short-term rewards, or understandable scepticism.
This episode offers practical insights for businesses, investors, and NGOs seeking to align carbon finance integrity with inclusive development.
Listen now to explore how climate finance can be a cornerstone of sustainable livelihoods—not just a co-benefit.
This conversation is hosted by Yvette Torres-Rahman, co-founder of Business Fights Poverty.
Social Impact Pioneers:
– Anna Kilpatrick, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at PUR, whose agroforestry projects help global companies decarbonise agricultural supply chains while improving smallholder incomes.
– Ann Vaughan, Associate Vice President for Resilient Futures at CARE, leading work to unlock climate finance that reaches 25 million people, especially women and girls.
– Olaf Westermann, Senior Technical Advisor on Climate Change and Agriculture at CRS, connecting conservation, livelihoods, and equity in nature-based carbon projects worldwide.
– Lilian Gwazayo, Field Advisor, & Environmental Scientist, CARE, Malawi.
Links:
Redd+ Projects: unfccc.int/topics/land-use/wor…s/redd/what-is-redd
PUR: www.pur.co/
Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org/
Care: Malawi We Staan Nog Steeds: www.carenederland.org/verhaal/malawi…aan-nog-steeds
Care: Malawi: Herstel van groene vegetatie draagt bij aan duurzame toekomst
www.carenederland.org/nieuws/malawi-…oene-vegetatie
CARE Malawi LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/care-int…ts/?feedView=all
CARE Nederland: www.linkedin.com/company/care-ned…ts/?feedView=all
Restore Africa: www.evergreening.org/restoreafrica/
