Alexander Wiese

Senior Sustainable Finance Specialist , International Non-Profit

Zug, Switzerland

I am a Senior Sustainable Finance Expert with 20 years of experience in structuring climate and nature-related financial solutions worldwide. He has advised governments, international institutions, and municipalities on sustainability finance, specializing in sovereign debt structuring, blended finance, and financial instruments like SDG Bonds and Green Bonds.

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Area of Expertise:
  • Administration, Management, Finance/Accounting, Procurement
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

I have nearly two decades of experience in sustainable finance, specializing in structuring financial solutions that address climate and nature-related challenges. My career has spanned advisory roles for governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders, where I have developed and implemented innovative financing mechanisms. My expertise covers sovereign debt structuring, blended finance, sustainability-linked bonds, and agricultural fund structuring, with a strong focus on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into financial products.

Currently, I serve as a Senior Finance Consultant at the UN Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) initiative, where I provide technical financial expertise to optimize resource use and improve access to external funding. My work involves developing business and investment cases, advising on nutrition financing strategies, and strengthening partnerships with international financial institutions. Prior to this, I was a Senior Structuring Specialist for Climate and Nature Finance at UNEP FI/UN-REDD, where I developed financial products and policy frameworks to support sustainable food systems, biodiversity finance, and climate adaptation. I led the creation of key performance indicators (KPIs) for biodiversity finance and played a central role in piloting frameworks for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

In addition, I have worked extensively with financial institutions and governments to develop large-scale investment mechanisms. As an SDG Finance Expert at the Asian Development Bank, I contributed to the design of financial instruments using the SDGs as a framework, leading the development of a $2 billion blended finance and de-risking facility for nature-based investments. My role also involved conducting national-level studies on SDG finance strategies in Armenia, Georgia, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Previously, I was the Managing Director and Global Head of Biodiversity, Food, and Agriculture Finance at Bankers Without Boundaries, where I led a team focused on structuring innovative financial mechanisms for sustainable agriculture and food systems. I developed the first $650 million SDG bond for Uzbekistan and structured nature-based financial solutions such as debt-for-nature swaps and afforestation projects. My work also included advising the European Investment Bank on financing tools for biodiversity conservation.

Before transitioning into sustainable finance, I spent several years in structured finance and investment banking. At Credit Suisse, I served as Head of Cross Asset Structuring for the DACH region, where I was responsible for ESG and SDG-related structured products. Prior to that, I held similar roles at Leonteq AG and Barclays PLC, where I led the development of impact investment products, structured financial solutions for institutional investors, and managed teams working on asset allocation strategies.

My experience has been shaped by working across both public and private sectors, giving me a unique perspective on the intersection of finance and sustainability. I have collaborated with ministries, development banks, and multinational organizations to bridge the gap between policy and investment, ensuring financial instruments are aligned with global sustainability goals. Through my work, I continue to drive capital mobilization towards climate adaptation, resilience, and nature conservation, leveraging my expertise to create impactful financial solutions.

Education:

I hold a Diploma in Mathematics from the University of Technology Darmstadt, where I studied from 2003 to 2008. My diploma thesis, “Using Copulas to Estimate Correlation for Multi-Asset Equity Options,” allowed me to explore complex financial modeling techniques, strengthening my quantitative and analytical skills. This mathematical foundation has been instrumental in my work, particularly in structuring innovative financial products and sustainability-linked investment instruments.

Before pursuing my university degree, I trained as a Mechatronic Engineer in the German Navy from 1996 to 1999. During this time, I gained hands-on technical experience, supervising teams and maintaining complex mechanical and electronic systems, including anti-aircraft systems and mine-detection equipment. This technical background instilled in me a structured, problem-solving approach, which has been invaluable in my career in finance. My ability to analyze systems, identify risks, and develop strategic solutions was shaped by this early training, preparing me for the complexities of financial structuring.

Beyond my formal education, I have continuously sought to expand my expertise through specialized certifications, particularly in sustainable finance, climate risk assessment, and responsible investment. In 2022, I completed a certification in Islamic Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the Islamic Development Bank Institute, deepening my understanding of ethical finance principles. In 2021, I pursued a certification in Circular Economy for a Sustainable Built Environment from Delft University of Technology, which enhanced my knowledge of sustainable urban development and resource efficiency.

In 2020, I dedicated significant time to advancing my expertise in climate and sustainability-related finance. I completed Sustainable Energy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage at the University of Edinburgh, and Ecosystem Services: A Method for Sustainable Development at the University of Geneva. These courses provided me with a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges we face and the financial mechanisms needed to address them.

Additionally, I have strengthened my expertise in responsible investment and climate finance through certifications such as Responsible Investment for Trustees from the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and Climate Change: Financial Risks and Opportunities from Imperial College Business School. These programs have allowed me to integrate climate risk assessment into financial decision-making, ensuring that investments align with sustainability goals. I also completed coursework in Sustainable Infrastructure Finance through Climate-KIC and Sustainable Urban Development at Wageningen University & Research, further reinforcing my ability to develop financial strategies that support sustainable growth.

My continuous learning journey has been driven by my commitment to applying finance as a tool for positive environmental and social impact. By combining my mathematical and technical background with specialized knowledge in sustainability finance, I have developed a comprehensive skill set that enables me to design and implement effective financial solutions for climate and nature-related challenges.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Russian, German

Nationality:

Germany