Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Post

At #COP29, it’s been clear that a real focus for discussion has been bridging investment gaps, especially across emerging markets and developing economies. It was therefore my pleasure to host a global cross section of our clients and partners at the UK Pavilion, to take a forensic look at transactions where different types of strategic capital have come together to bridge investment gaps and channel capital across borders, towards sustainable outcomes. Dana Barsky first presented a deep dive on a novel Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) financing facility, which supported a scalable solution for solar rooftop systems in India, and where Standard Chartered acted as underwriter. This was followed by Zarak Pasha, CFA, who unpacked our innovative debt financing pilot for carbon removals, which allowed a bank, for the first time, to offer commercial debt to a carbon removals project developer. Finally, John Murton announced a new country platform endeavour supporting energy independence for an African nation (see my following post!) We were delighted to showcase these examples, which were made possible by the hard work of many across Standard Chartered, alongside our partners at The World Bank Group, MIGA, British Airways, CUR8, CFC and UNDO. They each show how different but like-minded entities can come together to de-risk investment and triggered a lively discussion with exchanges on where and how these structures can be replicated and scaled. #sustainablefinance