“Nature-based Solutions to Restore Land and Forests” Roundtable Discussion at Paris Peace Forum 2025

Gabriela Hearst, member of the Steering Committee of Paris Peace Forum, participated in a roundtable discussion during the 8th edition of the Paris Peace Forum, New Coalitions for Peace, People and the Planet. The talk focused on nature-based solutions, which offer an innovative approach to tackle complex challenges at the heart of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. During the roundtable, Gabriela Hearst advocated for sustainability and transparency in the fashion sector, explaining her innovative adoption of ecological practices and cross-sector partnerships. She detailed how small steps, such as using cardboard hangers and biodegradable packaging, can be scaled up in larger companies, and how addressing the impact of volume drivers—items produced to reach a wider audience, such as sneakers and denim—by implementing ways to lower their impact is a necessity. The session was moderated by Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Executive Director, GWL Voices and President, Cities Alliance, and participating speakers included Balarabe Abbas Lawal (Minister of Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria), Rita Shwarzelür-Sutter (Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Federal Republic of Germany), Dame Ruth Davis (Special Representative for Nature, United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland), Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Global Leader of Climate & Energy