> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Private capital must shift from 'just in time' to 'just in case' to build global resilience - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/private-capital-must-shift-from-just-in-time-to-just-in-case-to-build-global-resilience/ - Published: 2026-10-19T08:57:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T08:57:40.000Z - Author: The Quarry - Tags: News - Lieutenant General (Retd) Richard Nugee describes climate change as "the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced" at Guernsey Finance event in London - Experts call for shift from 'just in time' efficiency to 'just in case' resilience thinking, with private capital playing key role in financing transition - Growing demand from wealthy families for investments that align financial returns with environmental and social objectives, combining purpose with profit - Guernsey's agile legal and regulatory framework positions island to channel private capital into infrastructure, nature regeneration and climate projects - "Triple use" strategy identified where environmental, security and economic objectives align to create positive cascading effects for finance and business Listen to this article 0:00 /0 1× Building greater resilience to climate, geopolitical and economic shocks will require a fundamental shift from short-term efficiency to longer-term preparedness, with private capital playing an increasingly important role in financing the transition, experts have said. The message emerged from Guernsey Finance's Sustainable Finance in Action: Private Capital event in London, where specialists from across the sustainability, defence, funds and fiduciary sectors explored the evolving role of investment in addressing interconnected security and climate concerns. Lieutenant General (Retd) Richard Nugee, delivering the keynote address, explored the intrinsic link between sustainability and defence, describing climate change as both a geopolitical and environmental issue. "Climate change is a threat to our collective security and the security of our nations," he said. "Climate change is a geopolitical issue every bit as much as it is an environmental one. Please make no mistake: climate change is the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced." Defining climate change and ecological degradation as strategic risks, Lieutenant General Nugee argued that investors must look beyond short-term efficiency and focus instead on strengthening the systems that underpin economic and societal stability. He highlighted growing vulnerabilities facing food systems, supply chains and critical infrastructure, warning that greater resilience is needed to withstand future shocks. Central to his message was the need to rethink how economies and businesses prepare for disruption, urging a shift from a "just in time" philosophy to a "just in case" approach. He argued that building resilience can create economic and investment opportunities, rather than simply adding cost. Encouraging attendees to identify areas where environmental, security and economic objectives align, he framed this "triple use" strategy as having a positive cascading effect. "What's good for resilience is also good for sustainability, is also good for our defence, because what it produces is a stronger national security, which is really good for finance and really good for business." A panel discussion explored how private capital, family wealth and investment structures can support long-term resilience whilst delivering meaningful financial and societal outcomes, and how those two things are no longer exclusive. Drawing on perspectives from sustainable investing, private wealth and fiduciary services, panellists examined the growing demand from investors and families for investments that align financial returns with wider environmental and social objectives. Neil Chadwick, director of global operations at Oxycarbon, a UK-based sustainability consultancy that provides turnkey carbon reduction and Pathway to Zero planning, echoed the view that the wider benefits of investing in sustainability are not separate from financial performance but can actually enhance it. He explained that Oxycarbon's projects are designed not only to generate carbon credits, but also to improve local livelihoods through initiatives such as training, employment, infrastructure and community investment. "Because every time we do that, we increase the value of the credit, which means you get the return on the money," he said. "It's not bad to want a return on your money. It's great to be able to do good at the same time." Panel moderator Justin Sykes noted the growing appetite for investment approaches that generate "a more holistic return", reflecting on his experience as a director of the inaugural Fund Foundry programme. Chris Moorcroft, partner at Harbottle & Lewis, highlighted a shift in how wealthy families view their capital, observing that there is now "a massive growth in the idea of family wealth needing to have a purpose, a meaning." He encouraged advisers and families to start with a fundamental question of what the wealth is for, noting that this naturally leads into conversations about sustainability and long-term impact. Kerrie Le Tissier, an independent governance and fiduciary consultant, outlined how Guernsey's legal and regulatory framework can support these evolving priorities through flexible structures tailored to family and investment objectives. "We are a small independent jurisdiction. We're able to be very agile in terms of our legislation, regulation and thinking," she said, enabling Guernsey to "keep pace with changing requirements." Drawing the event to a close, Deputy Sally Rochester from Environment & Infrastructure commented on Guernsey's role in answering the challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainty and climate risk. "We must respond to those threats and not ignore the realities of the world we live in. And I think it's absolutely right that Guernsey plays its part in channelling private capital to where it's most immediately needed... into infrastructure investment, into regeneration of nature, and those projects limiting climate change will make answering those challenges much easier," she said. "Investors ultimately need practical mechanisms through which essential private capital can flow. Ambition needs structures, ideas need governance, and capital needs a trusted framework through which it can be deployed effectively and responsibly. And this is probably the clearest articulation of Guernsey's value proposition." Guernsey Finance is the promotional agency for Guernsey's internationally recognised financial services sector. The island is home to approximately 150 licensed trust and company providers, with circa £280 billion total net asset value of Guernsey funds. Guernsey-based funds currently channel £58 billion of investment into the UK economy, supporting sectors including private equity, infrastructure, property and venture capital. ## Q&A **Q: What is the main shift in thinking being advocated by experts?** A: Experts are calling for a shift from 'just in time' efficiency to 'just in case' resilience, moving away from short-term efficiency towards longer-term preparedness to withstand climate, geopolitical and economic shocks. **Q: How does Lieutenant General Nugee characterise climate change?** A: He describes climate change as both a geopolitical and environmental issue, calling it "the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced" and a threat to collective and national security. **Q: What is Guernsey's role in sustainable finance according to the event?** A: Guernsey aims to channel private capital to where it is most immediately needed, including infrastructure investment and nature regeneration projects. Its agile legal and regulatory framework provides trusted structures through which capital can be deployed effectively and responsibly.