Jersey Finance, in conjunction with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, has launched a new initiative, aimed at protecting wildlife and ‘rewilding’ ecosystems around the world.

The ‘Jersey Fund for a Wilder World’ was officially launched at Jersey Finance’s Annual Review , with the objective of effecting positive change on the restoration of global ecosystems, and is designed to give financial services firms in Jersey the opportunity to contribute a portion of their fees earned from sustainable finance workflows to a pooled central pot.

Contributing to the fund is voluntary, and is initially open to fund service providers, including administrators, law firms and accountancy firms, with the intention to ultimately open the fund up to a wider cross section of Jersey’s finance industry.

The inward investment of capital in the fund will contribute towards Durrell’s ‘Rewild our World’ strategy, which undertakes projects aimed at reviving, restoring and rewilding diverse habitats around the world, from Jersey and the UK to Mauritius and India.

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The fund launch builds on the Jersey Financial Services Commission’s consultation last year on enhancing disclosure and governance requirements for sustainable investments, Jersey being one of only seven pilot cities/territories taking part in the United Nations’ ‘United 4 Smart Sustainable Cities’ initiative, and the Government of Jersey’s implementation of a Carbon Neutral Strategy.

Elliot Refson, head of funds, Jersey Finance, said: “The launch of this innovative scheme sends a clear message that Jersey is committed to the ESG agenda and to supporting global investment aimed at driving positive change, at a time when there is renewed vigour and accelerated progress in all areas of sustainable finance.

“I’m particularly pleased to be working with Durrell, which has such strong roots in Jersey but expertise and a reputation that extends right around the world, and to have already had such strong support from firms here in Jersey. This fund provides a fantastic opportunity for firms in Jersey to make a combined, clear and positive difference to natural environments around the world.”