(September 26, 2023) – On Thursday, 14th September, the financial services Spectrum conference opened with the screening of the film “Save Our Wild Isles: Banking on a Wilder Tomorrow,” presented by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands (NTCI). This short film – created by Emmy® award-winning Silverback Films for WWF-UK, RSPB and the National Trust UK explores the relationship between our economic systems and biodiversity loss, while explaining the actions the financial services industry needs to take to reduce their impact. The film was introduced by the Hon. André Ebanks, Minister of Financial Services and Commerce, whostatedthatthefinancialservicesindustryshouldsupportlocalconservationeffortsin meetingtheir corporate ESG or NetZero commitments. National Trust representatives at the event included Melanie Carmichael(CouncilChairperson),FrankRoulstone(ExecutiveDirector),CatherineChilds (Environmental ProgrammesManager)andBellaRooney(ClimateEducationOfficer).Thescreeningwas followedbyapanel discussion with experts in the financial services industry and environmental sector.

Melanie Carmichael stated, “The NTCI are very grateful to the organisers for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of the Spectrum conference. The Cayman Islands private sector provides thousands of jobs and its resources can make a huge difference both globally and locally. The film helped to highlight that through social impact, environmental sustainability efforts, corporate volunteerism, philanthropy, and more, positive businesses can be a force for good. NTCI are experienced in this space, and we hope that even greater partnerships can be forged for the benefit of current and future society whilst meeting good practice standards in creating new green finance careers and assets.”

The financial services industry has an important role to play in addressing the nature crisis. There is a clear risk to investments and supply chains if nature is negatively impacted and its services are lost. We are already seeing that farmers in the US must now pay to have bees trucked in to pollinate their crops. Countries around the world are beginning to regulate markets to incentivize positive change. Cayman’s financial servicesindustryhasthe opportunitytoleadtheworldinmanaginggreeninvestmentstocreateanew economicsystemwhichworks forpeopleandtheplanet.

There are simple actions that companies can take to help create a more sustainable future including greening their investments, pledging to support the conservation of ecologically significant habitats, offsetting their carbon footprint through local mangrove protection, and more. Contact the National Trust for the Cayman Islands to discuss ways you can help to support conservation. Email [email protected]

Watch film: https://youtu.be/bduT5FcOSTM?si=rndw2SibHX71TxH9
Download NTCI pamphlet: https://nationaltrust.org.ky/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NTCI- Brochure-Event.pdf

About the National Trust for the Cayman Islands

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non-governmental organization whose mandate under the National Trust Law (2010 Revision) includes the preservation of the historic, natural and maritime heritage of the Cayman Islands for present and future generations.

About the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme

The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme began in 1990 with only 30 dedicated Blue Iguanas and the primary goal to restore the wild population to 1,000 Blue Iguanas, encouraging viable population in the long-term. Having met its primary goal in 2018, the initiative formally transitioned to the Blue Iguana Conservation Programme in 2019 with a new focus of sustainably conserving the native species of Grand Cayman.

About the National Trust’s Environmental Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ environmental programme was founded on the concept that the protection of native plants and animals is best achieved by protecting the natural areas in which they depend.

About the National Trust Conservation Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands’ conservation programme strives to protect Cayman’s native species and the habitats in which they live, and includes the endemic Blue Iguana of Grand Cayman, the Sister Islands Rock Iguana and Cayman’s native bat species.

About the National Trust Historic Preservation Programme

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands introduced the launching of its Historic Preservation Fund at its Annual General Meeting in September 2021 for the purpose of inviting increased support of its continuing efforts to encourage the preservation and protection of historic homes and buildings for present and future generations of the Cayman Islands.

About the Save Our Wild Isles Business Films

Together with Silverback Films, the World Wildlife Fund-UK (WWF-UK), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and the National Trust UK created 4 short films for the business community which look at how nature loss affects business and how the business community can be part of the solutions. “Save Our Wild Isles: Banking on a Wilder Tomorrow” is one of the four films. The films were inspired by Wild Isles – the BBC series that aired in the UK in March 2023. #WildIsles #SaveOurWildIslesBusiness

Find out more about the films: https://saveourwildisles.org.uk/business
Find out how to host your own screening: https://www.saveourwildisles.org.uk/business/how-to-host-a-screening