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A turtle heads towards the sea at sunset

Climate and environment

Mitigating climate change whilst supporting vulnerable communities and sustaining biodiversity

Going green before green goes

According to the world’s leading scientists, we can avoid the very worst impact of an overheating planet if we cut our emissions in half over the next 10 years.1 Philanthropy is urgently needed to identify and help scale a range of climate solutions to create a cleaner, safer and a more equitable future for all.

Climate change threatens all life on earth. Unless we act urgently, we’ll face an ever-growing threat of environmental catastrophe. Solutions that work exist! Only by collaborating radically with a razor-sharp focus can we bring them to the scale we need to mitigate the effect of climate change and build resilient livelihoods.

The challenges we face

Increasing mortality

Research shows that 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress alone.

Species disappearing

In a UN report published in 2019, scientists warned that one million species - out of an estimated total of eight million - are threatened with extinction, many within decades. 

Loss of livelihoods

Research from 2015 revealed the planet had lost around one-third of its arable land in the previous 40 years, in large part due to climate disasters and poor conservation. And every year more trees and soil are lost.

Displaced communities

Global warming is causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal population centers.

Taking action

We stand at a crossroads. One way is a world where everyone can live happily, healthily and prosperously. The other, a planet ravaged by drought, fire, flood, famine, conflict and poverty. That's the road we're on right now: a road to spiraling global temperatures, life-threatening weather, ill-health and social unrest arising from scarce resources and migrating populations.

Working with UBS Optimus Foundation, you'll discover the expertise and many programs that support tackling climate change head on. Like you, UBS is on a journey to help get the world's climate back on track – and we'd love to join you on yours.

Our priority areas

To make sure you maximize your environmental impact with your philanthropy, we, together with experts, conducted an extensive landscape analysis. The outcome is a systematic approach for you to assess where to invest philanthropically, and how to best contribute to accelerate environmental and climate action.
Farmers in a field taking care of the land

Sustainable land use​

Investing into Ecosystem protection, conservation (forests, peatlands, rangelands, wildlife) and restoration of degraded lands. 

Shifting agricultural practices to climate smart and sustainable practices to reduce agriculture-related greenhouse gas emissions and reduce vulnerabilities to climate shocks.​

Expected outcomes include reduced deforestation, habitat destruction, climate resilient agro-ecological landscapes, embedding nature-positive outcomes and improved farm incomes.

Marine and coastal ecosystems

Support development and implementation of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in vulnerable coastal communities.​

Blue Carbon: Coastal wetland conservation and restoration (mangroves, seagrass, tidal saltmarsh); establish and support Marine Protected Areas

Our approach

With our environment portfolio, our mission is to support the mitigation efforts of climate change whilst supporting vulnerable communities and sustaining biodiversity.

Problems

Climate Change​

IPCC estimates that Agriculture and food systems contribute ~13% of annual GHG emissions, projected to increase by 30% by 20502. ​Oceans have absorbed 90% of heat, generated by climate change, and 30% of CO2.

Biodiversity Loss​

Biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history, with average drop of 69% in species populations since 1970. ​Of total 8 million species, nearly 1million are threatened with extinction. Grounded in a meticulously crafted theory of change, let us share the solutions and outcomes we aim to achieve with you and our partners.

We can’t afford to ignore this crisis. It’s as if we’re watching as we fly slow motion toward a giant mountain. We can see the crash coming, but we’re sitting on our hands instead of altering course. It’s time to turn the wheel.

- Henry Paulson Jr

Solutions

Mitigate climate change whilst supporting vulnerable communities and sustaining biodiversity through improving climate change mitigation and adaptation: ​

1. Food systems & sustainable agriculture​

  • Support for ecosystem protection and conservation (forests, peatlands, rangelands) and restoration of degraded lands​
  • Shifting agricultural practices to become more sustainable:​
    • increasing climate resilience​
    • adapting conservation and regenerative agriculture, agroforestry​

2. Coastal and marine ecosystems

  • Coastal wetland conservation and restoration (mangroves, seagrass, tidal saltmarsh); establish and support Marine Protected Areas
  • Support development and implementation of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in vulnerable coastal communities​
  • Intervention in upstream waste management and plastic production / consumption patterns and methodologies​

Outcomes

Seagulls flying above a calm sea

1. CO2 emissions sequestered or avoided​

2. Improved policy and evidence for blue carbon markets and sustainable marine enterprises 

3. Reduced deforestation and reduced conversion of natural ecosystems​

4. A global transition to climate-smart and regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices​

5. An increase in sustainable fishing and enhanced gender equity in coastal communities

Our partners

Programs in our climate portfolio are aimed at conserving and restoring our planet by investing in climate change mitigation strategies, building resilience for wild habitats and vulnerable communities, and supporting efforts to improve biodiversity and conservation.
This is just a sample of the partners we work with — contact us to discover the full portfolio.

Partner Spotlight: Terratai (Investment)

Across Indonesia, ecosystems and local livelihoods are under pressure from environmental degradation, climate change, and limited access to finance. Many early-stage businesses with the potential to protect nature and support communities struggle to develop because they lack the funding and support needed at critical stages.

Terratai was established to address this gap. As a nature-focused venture builder, it works with early-stage businesses that restore and protect at-risk ecosystems, providing early funding alongside practical support to help them build stronger, more viable operations. Its focus is on locally rooted enterprises that tackle the drivers of environmental degradation while creating sustainable income opportunities. Terratai's capital and support creates clear additionality and helps unlock co-investment from private and institutional sources.

Our partnership supports the development and growth of this model. It enables Terratai to provide catalytic early-stage capital, combined with hands-on venture-building support, to back nature-based enterprises that would not attract commercial finance on standalone terms. It helps enterprises strengthen their foundations, test what works, and attract follow-on financing. By reducing risk, the model helps channel more capital toward protecting ecosystems and supporting long-term resilience.

In 2025, our support contributed to:

  • 3 investments supporting 5 nature-focused enterprises
  • 2.3 million hectares under improved management
  • 22,315 people benefiting from strengthened climate resilience

Partner Spotlight: West Africa Blue (Grant)

Mangroves, seagrasses and coastal habitats, which are critical for biodiversity, carbon sequestration and coastal protection, are being lost at an alarming rate. At the same time, millions of people depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. As environmental degradation accelerates, so too does economic vulnerability, creating a cycle that is difficult to reverse.

West Africa Blue was established to address this dual challenge of environmental degradation and economic vulnerability in coastal communities. Its model combines the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems with sustainable income opportunities for local populations. By linking conservation with livelihoods through initiatives such as clean cooking solutions, sustainable aquaculture and blue carbon projects, the programme creates strong incentives for long-term stewardship. This systems-level approach connects local action with global climate finance rather than delivering isolated interventions.

Our partnership supports the development and scaling of this model. West Africa Blue works closely with local communities and governments to build high-integrity, certified projects that generate climate, biodiversity and livelihood benefits.

Through this collaboration, West Africa Blue is building a replicable blueprint for advancing both coastal restoration and economic development. Our catalytic funding has helped the model attract additional financing and scale its impact.

 

In 2025, our grant contributed to:

  • 13,059 hectares of mangrove ecosystems conserved
  • 4,000+ low-income households adopting sustainable practices and strengthening livelihoods
  • USD 5.67 million in additional financing secured

Impact agenda

In 5-10 years, we aim to see effective climate mitigation as well as adaptation measures and improved biodiversity results​. We want to see...
  • A healthy forest on a mountain

    …reduced deforestation and reduced conversion of natural ecosystems

    Promoting alternative approaches to destructive agriculture and timber practices​

    Protect and conserve high carbon stock (HCS) and high conservation value (HCV) ecosystems​

    Prevent and reverse desertification and land degradation​

    Re-introduce native vegetation and increase biomass and biodiversity​

    Impact: improved soil and water quality storing carbon and supporting communities and biodiversity

  • A ship in a port can be part of sustainable marine enterprises

    …improved policy and evidence for blue ​carbon markets and sustainable marin enterprises

    Conserve coastal ecosystems by developing ​and funding new MPAs​

    Provide financial mechanisms and incentives for marine & coastal restoration​

    Develop models for coastal blue carbon and ​marine & coastal protection​

    Advocate for and support government policies reflecting newly generated evidence 

    Impact: increased carbon sequestration and conserved marine biodiversity

  • …a global transition to regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices

    Train farmers to provide resilience against climate change, enrich soils and soil carbon sequestration

    Finance adaptation of new production technologies

    Support in obtaining certifications and promote awareness and usage of certified products

    Facilitate transition to alternative income generation

    Impact: Reduced emission from degraded land and increased sequestration into restored carbon sinks

  • … an increase in sustainable fishing and enhanced gender equity in coastal communities

    Diversify coastal livelihoods to reduce pressure on resources

    Support enterprises and establish tenure rights for small and women fishers

    Support design of temporary or permanent no take, multi-use zones, MPAs and managed aquaculture areas

    Impact: strengthened resilience to climate change for coastal communities and marine biodiversity

Get inspired

Meet our partner

Save the Redwoods League

California's ancient redwood forests are among the world's most extraordinary ecosystems, yet only 5% of the original coastal redwood range remains. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has worked to protect and restore these forests, safeguarding vital habitat for threatened wildlife, supporting Indigenous communities, and helping to build a more climate-resilient future. Through the Redwood Land Fund, the organization is protecting high-priority forest landscapes at risk of logging and development.

Watch this short film to hear directly from the Save the Redwoods League team and UBS Optimus Foundation donors about the importance of protecting these iconic forests, the challenges they face, and the impact this partnership is helping to achieve.

Further reading

Guide

Paper: Blue Streak

Why do the oceans matter? From regulating our climate and producing much of the oxygen we breathe to supporting billions of livelihoods, healthy oceans are essential to life on Earth. Yet they are under increasing pressure. In our latest Blue Streak paper, explore how philanthropy can help accelerate the blue-nature transition and unlock new solutions to protect and restore ocean ecosystems.

Guide

On thin ice — a guide to address climate change

On thin ice is a guide for all who wish to address climate change and combines the expertise of more than 40 climate experts, philanthropists and changemakers, with UBS´s twenty plus years of experience in advising clients on making an effective impact. Find out how you can make a difference.

Guide

Seeds of Change: A guide to protect life on land

This guide combines the expertise of more than 50 environmentalists, philanthropists and changemakers, together with UBS’s 20+ years of experience in advising clients on making an effective impact. Find out how you can take action.

Guide

Paper: Green Streak

Nature and climate are inseparable. Across Latin America's forests, wetlands, savannas and soils, healthy ecosystems help store carbon, safeguard water resources and support livelihoods. Yet nature-based solutions remain significantly underfunded. In Green Streak, we explore how catalytic philanthropy can help de-risk land restoration investments, mobilize private capital, and unlock scalable conservation outcomes.

It's behavior we need to change using things properly instead of banning them.
Trish Hyde, founder of The Plastics Circle (Australia)
People need to go below water and experience the beauty and issues firsthand. It is only by changing the mindset of people that we will change the system.
Bradley Robertson, President and Co-founder, Save The Med Foundation (Spain)

Meet our team

Patrick Nussbaumer

Patrick Nussbaumer

Head of Environment, UBS Optimus Foundation

Patrick joined the UBS Optimus Foundation in July 2024 as the Strategic Partnerships Director. He brings extensive experience in private sector development and impact finance, particularly in frontier markets. In his role, he is responsible for developing and nurturing collaborations to co-create impactful programs, mobilize expertise and resources, and deploy innovative instruments aimed at scaling solutions and maximizing impact.

Throughout his career, Patrick has worked in academia and across both private and public sectors, gaining over 20 years of experience in addressing contemporary challenges, with a focus on climate change, mission-driven companies, and startup acceleration. Before joining the Foundation, he held positions at the United Nations, where he designed and implemented flagship interventions.

Patrick holds a degree in engineering, complemented by a PhD in environmental sciences. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and his work is widely published, with more than 20 peer-reviewed articles to his name.

Rohit Das

Rohit Das

Program Director, Climate and Environment

Rohit is a climate and environmental expert with over 15 years international experience of working in climate adaptation, environment and water resources management in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Rohit has worked for a variety of public and private sector organizations and is passionate about nature-based solutions that deliver resilience, carbon mitigation and biodiversity outcomes. Most recently, Rohit has worked in developing and implementing financial mechanisms that bridge investment gaps in climate and environmental sectors by bringing together a host of investors, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders. In the past, Rohit has advised several development financial institutions on identification, preparation and implementation of climate and environmental projects.

Rohit holds an MSc in Water Resources Management and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Michael Rieser

Michael Rieser

Program Director Environment Finance, UBS Optimus Foundation

Michael joined the Social Finance team at the UBS Optimus Foundation in 2020. He focuses on social investments in businesses and development impact bonds across environment, education and health, with a particular focus on equity investments into impactful businesses.

Prior to joining UBS Optimus Foundation, Michael worked for the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership (CGEP), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, in Côte d'Ivoire, Southeast Asia and New York. During his three years at CGEP, he helped build social businesses from the ground up and developed business cases for new social investment opportunities. Before that, he worked in academia as a research assistant in the field of political economics.

Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Basel and a Master's degree in Economics from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics.

1 United Nations (2018). Understanding the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. Available at: https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=5188. Last consulted: October 23, 2020.
2 1: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2023). AR 6 Report 
3 IPCC. (2014). AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr.
4 IPCC. (2014). AR5 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2014. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr.

Support our partners

Get in touch with us for more information on how to get involved and support our partner programs.