The role, funded by Aviva through the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), will deliver a feasibility study into nature markets, create a bespoke Manx Carbon Code, and aim to establish a high-integrity carbon credit registry. These steps will ensure the Isle of Man – the world’s only whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – can keep pace with the UK in developing trusted, nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Nature finance refers to the growing range of mechanisms that attach real economic value to protecting and restoring ecosystems, such as carbon credits from tree planting and peatland restoration or biodiversity credits from habitat creation. By putting the right systems in place, the Isle of Man can attract new investment into nature recovery while ensuring high standards of transparency and integrity.
MWT is already leading the way in the field: the charity is restoring temperate rainforest habitats through a carbon credit partnership with Aviva and The Wildlife Trusts and has launched the Island’s first high-integrity carbon project at Crossags, Ramsey. While existing methodologies such as the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code offer useful frameworks, they were designed for the UK context. As a Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man has the opportunity – and need – to tailor approaches and governance to its own unique ecosystems and policy environment.
“Nature markets have the potential to unlock vital funding for restoring habitats such as peatlands and woodlands while delivering credible climate benefits,” said Graham Makepeace-Warne, CEO of MWT. “This new role will ensure the Isle of Man has the frameworks and integrity needed to deliver high-quality, nature-based credits that benefit both wildlife and people without impacting other industries.”
The Nature Finance Officer will work closely with government, landowners, businesses, and conservation experts to shape the Island’s approach to nature finance. MWT is seeking a candidate who combines a passion for conservation with strong skills in research, governance, and market design, ideally with experience in areas such as environmental economics or finance, carbon and nature markets (e.g. carbon codes, biodiversity net gain), environmental policy and legislation, stakeholder engagement, and project management.
Applications are now open. For more information and to apply, visit www.mwt.im/jobs