Tina Morris on helping financial institutions address nature-related risks

Why is it critical for financial institutions to address nature-related risks now?

Nature-related risks encompass a broad range of complex factors, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and emissions related to FLAG—Forestry, Land Use, and Agriculture. These increasingly pressing issues pose significant challenges for financial institutions, disrupting supply chains, weakening investment portfolios, and threatening market resilience. For instance, deforestation not only harms ecosystems, but also jeopardizes the availability of raw materials that are critical to many industries. Similarly, biodiversity loss affects agriculture, fisheries, and water systems, creating vulnerabilities that are too significant to ignore.

In fact, the tide is beginning to turn on nature-related risks. Regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) make addressing these risks a requirement—not just “an option.” But beyond compliance, this is about safeguarding economic stability and market longevity. Without integrating credible, actionable data into their decision-making, financial institutions risk undermining both their investments and the ecosystems that sustain them. Addressing nature-related risks is essential for ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for both businesses and the planet.

How does FLINTpro help financial institutions identify and manage nature-related risks?

FLINTpro equips financial institutions with advanced tools to assess and manage nature-related risks. Our platform integrates multilayered datasets—including biodiversity, land use, and carbon emissions—to provide a comprehensive view of how investments interact with natural systems. This data is not only credible and third-party-verified, but also actionable, helping institutions measure and contextualize their impact.

By aligning with frameworks like the CSRD and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), FLINTpro enables financial institutions to go beyond regulatory compliance. Our technology empowers them to build resilient supply chains, mitigate portfolio risks, and lead in sustainable finance. In essence, FLINTpro transforms complex environmental data into meaningful insights that drive informed decision-making and measurable impact.

What challenges are financial institutions facing in implementing nature-positive strategies?

One of the biggest hurdles is the lack of standardized definitions and frameworks. Without clear guidelines, financial institutions struggle to assess the impact of their investments in order to prioritize actions. This is especially challenging in FLAG sectors—Forestry, Land Use, and Agriculture—where data complexities abound.

Another challenge is the availability and quality of data. Many voluntary initiatives, such as the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), have faltered due to insufficient access to reliable data. This creates hesitancy, as institutions fear accusations of greenwashing if they cannot substantiate their claims.

The solution lies in transparency and accountability. FLINTpro provides the tools and methodologies needed to navigate these challenges. By offering credible, actionable data, we help financial institutions confidently implement nature-positive strategies that align with their goals and values.

How can financial institutions balance profitability with environmental responsibility?

Profitability and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Financial institutions can achieve both by leveraging data-driven strategies. For example, innovative mechanisms like debt-for-nature swaps—as seen in Ecuador—demonstrate how conservation funding can coexist with cost savings.

Institutions also have opportunities to lead in areas like regenerative agriculture, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable land use. These initiatives create long-term value while mitigating risks like resource scarcity and supply-chain disruptions. FLINTpro provides the insights needed to evaluate these opportunities, ensuring that institutions maintain financial performance while driving meaningful environmental impact. This strategic approach secures both economic and environmental resilience.

What steps must financial institutions take to move beyond compliance and drive meaningful impact?

Moving beyond compliance requires both a shift in mindset and the adoption of new, sophisticated tools. Here are three essential steps:

1.    Standardization: Financial institutions need standardized frameworks to evaluate nature-related risks and opportunities. These frameworks should offer clear definitions and practical guidelines for assessing environmental impacts, particularly in high-risk sectors like agriculture, forestry, and land use.

2.    Actionable Insights: Institutions must adopt advanced tools that translate complex datasets into actionable insights. Data collection alone is not enough; it must be analyzed and contextualized to drive meaningful decisions.

3.    Beyond Compliance: Compliance with regulations like the CSRD is a starting point, not the end goal. Institutions should use these frameworks as a foundation for broader action—mitigating risks, building resilient supply chains, and contributing to a nature-positive future.

By following these steps, financial institutions can position themselves as leaders in sustainable finance and active participants in securing the long-term health of the global economy—and the planet.

 

Tina Morris Bio:

Tina Morris is the CEO of FLINTpro and former Chief Operating Officer of S&P Global Ratings, where she was responsible for leading the data, operations, in-business control and Lean management teams, as well as transformational programs like Simplify. Most recently, Tina was Global Practice Leader for U.S. Public Finance and Global Structured Finance, and before that Global Head of Rating Operations.

Before joining S&P Global, Tina served seven years in the U.S. Army, including commanding the 25th Military Police in Hawaii. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Tina is based at FLINTpro’s US headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado, and lives in the nearby city of Denver.