Leading sustainable finance expert Brennan Brown explains why sustainable finance is a fundamental duty for today’s leaders, not just a passing trend. Brennan Brown is the founder of TIDAL CARBON, a company based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where she is leading the charge to turn coastal ecosystems into profitable assets, especially through blue carbon projects.
Brennan Logan Brown is leading the charge to restore and safeguard important coastal ecosystems while developing scalable financial solutions through her work at TIDAL CARBON. A more sustainable approach is essential for long-term success in business and beyond, she says, stressing the value of managing financial capital with environmental impact.
According to Brennan Logan Brown, the application of AI extends beyond risk mitigation. It’s about using technology to make a positive change in addition to reducing any possible damage businesses may cause to the environment. Leaders can ensure a sustainable future for future generations by using AI to foresee possible sustainability challenges, model solutions, and make sound choices that balance business goals with ecological responsibility.
Interviewer: Brennan Logan Brown, thank you for joining us. You’ve made a strong statement: “Sustainable finance is more than a trend, it’s a responsibility.” Can you elaborate on what that means in your work?
Brennan Logan Brown: Thank you. That statement comes from seeing firsthand how disconnected traditional finance can be from long-term impact. Earlier in my career, I worked on deals that were financially sound but left me questioning their broader value. There was a turning point where I asked myself, What are we building with this capital? That’s when I started shifting my focus toward sustainable finance, not just as a practice, but as a principle.
To me, sustainable finance is about aligning financial outcomes with outcomes that serve the planet and future generations. It’s not a category; it’s a way of thinking.
Interviewer: Sustainability has gained traction, but also skepticism. How do you ensure it’s not just branding?
Brennan Logan Brown: Skepticism is healthy and necessary. Sustainable finance only works when it’s rooted in data, transparency, and accountability. At TIDAL CARBON, we invest heavily in measurement and verification because it’s not about appearances. It’s about delivering actual carbon removal and ecological benefits.
We’re constantly refining our methodologies and partnering with third-party experts to make sure the results stand up to scrutiny. If we want this space to grow, trust has to come first.
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Interviewer: What does that look like in practice with your work at TIDAL CARBON?
Brennan Logan Brown: TIDAL CARBON focuses on scaling blue carbon solutions – restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses that naturally capture and store large amounts of carbon. These systems are scientifically proven, but they’ve been overlooked in carbon markets.
Our work is to change that by building financial models that make these ecosystems investable. One project that stayed with me involved walking a degraded shoreline that had once supported thriving seagrass beds. Seeing the erosion and loss of life was powerful. That’s what drives the urgency behind creating nature-based credits with real market value – so ecosystems like that aren’t just protected, but restored.
Interviewer: So, how exactly can AI help companies make more informed sustainability decisions?
Brennan Logan Brown: AI helps in several ways. First, it allows for real-time analysis of data, which means businesses don’t have to rely on outdated models or guesswork. Let’s say a company wants to assess the carbon footprint of its supply chain. Instead of manually sifting through hundreds of data points, AI can quickly provide an accurate, comprehensive analysis.
It can also help companies identify areas where they’re wasting resources or where they have the potential to improve efficiency. AI gives businesses a clearer understanding of how small changes can create a larger environmental impact. This kind of technology helps companies be more proactive, rather than reactive, in addressing sustainability challenges.
Interviewer: Where do you see sustainable finance heading in the next five years?
Brennan Logan Brown: We’re going to see it become embedded into everything, capital markets, supply chains, product design. Not because it’s a buzzword, but because the economics are shifting. Climate risk is financial risk. Sustainability is no longer a differentiator; it’s becoming a baseline.
The real opportunity now lies in scaling the infrastructure, improving data, and making sustainable finance more accessible to mainstream investors. That’s where I see the most room for innovation.
Interviewer: What has been one of the most unexpected lessons you’ve learned while working at the intersection of finance and environmental impact?
Brennan Logan Brown: One of the biggest lessons has been realizing just how powerful mindset shifts can be. Early on, I assumed that numbers and models would drive most of the change, but often, it’s conversations that create the real turning points. When people start to see sustainability not as a constraint but as a catalyst for innovation, everything changes. I’ve seen seasoned finance professionals completely reframe their thinking once they understand the true value of ecological assets, not just for climate, but for long-term economic resilience. That human element has been more influential than I expected.
Interviewer: And finally, what would you say to business leaders who are still hesitant to adopt sustainability into their financial strategy?
Brennan Logan Brown: I’d say the longer you wait, the more reactive and vulnerable you become. Sustainability is no longer about feel-good branding. It’s a strategic imperative. The market is moving. Policies are changing. Consumers are more informed.
I’ve sat in boardrooms where leaders questioned the value of sustainability, only to circle back months later asking how to catch up. Sustainable finance is not just about mitigating risk it’s about unlocking new opportunities. The sooner leaders treat it as a responsibility, the more future-ready they’ll be.