Mark Eckstein

In the past few years, financial institutions have increasingly begun to recognize the role they can play in managing environmental and social risks in their investments, and also in servicing emerging opportunities for environmental markets. This is new territory for the financial sector and there are many challenges and complexities involved in both the “risk management” and “opportunity creation” roles.  With its global network, deep experience of ecosystems and biodiversity and extensive track record of working with the private sector, WWF is well positioned to help financial institutions navigate this emerging landscape

Mark’s work involves close work with a number of banks, funds and other financial institutions. The scope and scale of his engagement depends on the needs of WWF's partners, the geographic focus of their business and the sectors and businesses in which they invest. Mark has helped to develop policies and procedures for financial institutions (FIs) involved in fisheries, agribusiness, forestry and mining activities. He has also worked with FIs on strategic and business development needs and undertaken a range of training and capacity-building activities.  Particular areas of interest include the Chinese and Russian financial sectors, and agriculture and commodity finance. “It’s all about finding the balance between social, economic and environmental issues.”

Mark began his career as a field ecologist spending six months on a waterless rock in the Galapagos Islands studying the population dynamics and social organization of marine iguanas. After moving on to the International Finance Corporation and a range of global and domestic financial institutions, he’s been able to combine the best of both worlds at WWF.  “I find the ecology of financial institutions fascinating. It is the ultimate expression of natural selection in the business world. Finding ways in which we can harness and direct that vigor so that it fully addresses biodiversity and social needs is absolutely where WWF can deliver real impact.”