Show Notes
What if the forest you loved suddenly disappeared? For Sean Weaver, that moment became the turning point of his life. When a rainforest he had studied was destroyed, he realised that protecting nature would take more than passion. It would take finance. In this conversation, Sean shares how he built Ekos to connect ecology and economics, creating financial models that fund regeneration and restore ecosystems. He explains how to find the right kind of investors, why values matter more than returns, and how Zen practice helps him stay calm in the complexity of climate work. About Sean Weaver Dr Sean Weaver is the Founder and Chief Executive of Ekos, a New Zealand social enterprise creating environmental financing solutions for sustainable, climate-resilient economies. With a PhD in Forestry and over 20 years of experience in conservation, indigenous partnerships, and carbon markets, Sean helps communities earn income through forest protection rather than deforestation. Before founding Ekos, he lectured in environmental studies at Victoria University of Wellington and advised governments and NGOs across the Pacific on ethical carbon trading and climate policy.
Sean shares:
• The moment a vanished forest changed his purpose • Why integrity matters more than short-term profit • His practices that supports grounded decision-making • The balance between money, nature, and long-term impact • How finance can fund climate and biodiversity outcomes
This episode is for anyone who believes business and finance can become tools for healing rather than harm.
Timestamps
(0:00) The day the forest fell (0:52) Who is Sean Weaver (2:30) Fiji roots and early influences (6:13) The moment that changed everything (9:07) Why forests matter for climate and life (12:12) Zen, stillness, and resilience (16:32) How Ekos blends ecology with economics (23:14) Sharks vs dolphins: finding good money (30:00) Balancing values and investment (32:17) Funding native forests through innovation (42:59) Staying grounded under pressure (46:28) What’s next for Sean and Ekos
Learn more about Sean and his work - Ekos: https://www.ekos.co.nz/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-weaver-01762214/
Learn more about Azoora and her work - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/azooraali - Website: https://www.accountingandtax.co.nz/
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