Podcast - Charging Ahead Ep. 1: Finance Meets Conservation with Michael Turner

Written By Nathan Goodman

In this episode, Michael Turner shares his journey from growing up in the Serengeti to a career in development finance and conservation, offering a unique perspective on how sustainable practices can transform energy projects. We dive into his experiences across Africa, focusing on a landmark 100-megawatt wind farm in Kenya that seamlessly integrated renewable energy production with environmental protection. 

Michael discusses the importance of ecosystems, responsible investment, and community engagement, highlighting how conservation offsets and anti-poisoning surveillance became part of the project’s DNA for protecting endangered birds. This conversation also explores the potential for creating a market for ecosystem services—an innovative approach to ensuring long-term sustainability and biodiversity, as well as advocating for broader use of digital media to inspire environmental passion and stewardship in future generations. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Ecosystems have measurable value and deserve protection 

  • How finance and ESG principles drive impactful projects 

  • The role of community engagement in renewable energy success 

  • Why ecosystem services could become the next big market

Nathan Goodman