Innovation program supports portfolio companies to develop new climate investment solutions in emerging markets

March 20232 min readClimate FinanceGreen Lending, Technical Assistance, Emerging Markets, Impact

Currently, emerging and developing economies account for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions1 and will need significant support in mitigating future growth of their carbon footprints. One way of providing this support is by enabling local actors to innovate and create more investable climate mitigation projects for these markets.

On behalf of a climate finance vehicle that it manages, responsAbility’s Technical Assistance team2 has recently launched an innovation program for partner institutions3. This pioneering initiative provides several months of tailored support to partners, including financial institutions and energy companies in emerging markets globally, to develop new ideas or methods that combat climate change in their own markets. Interested candidates receive access to training sessions on ideation, innovation, and pitching ideas, as well as one-to-one coaching sessions to help develop their concept.

The first phase will culminate in the Global Climate Partnership Award, which will be presented in August 2023 to two partner institutions with the most impactful and innovative ideas. The winners will receive up to USD 50,000 to implement their concepts, while runners-up will be further supported with an in-person innovation sprint workshop to help develop their ideas further and to potentially qualify them for future financial and non-financial support.

Global climate mitigation objectives will only be achieved through a combination of public and private initiatives including innovative financing instruments such as this one. We look forward to being a part of the climate innovation journeys of our partners, and to finding a way, together, to implement their ideas.

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance develops tailored advisory support, identifies, and selects specialized experts and manages project implementation, all in close collaboration with the investment teams. Advisory support is provided to build the capacity required to bridge knowledge gaps, ensure adherence with sectors’ best practices and principles, capture market potential, reduce risks, and support the funds in fulfilling their role as market enablers and as establishers of sustainable business models.

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1IMF, Global Financial Stability Report, October 2022

2The Technical Assistance team has the mandate to support investees through capacity-building and peer-learning activities and receives financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Fund to fulfil this mandate.

3Note that this program and the subsequent awards are only open to existing investees of the climate finance vehicle.