SP Ventures’ Post

The NYC Climate Week has been very insightful and energizing, with several key takeaways: 1️⃣ Despite all the obstacles and implementation difficulties, climate change mitigation efforts ARE at work, at different levels (within and beyond value chains, at global companies level with impacts in the Global South) thanks to commitments AND actions from corporates, NGOs, public and private investors. 2️⃣ There has been a strong emphasis on Nature-based solutions beyond and within value chain, such as: - Protection and restoration of natural ecosystems that represent 30% of climate mitigation potential by 2030, alongside strong co benefits for biodiversity and local livelihoods. Thanks to McKinsey & Company / Jason Eis, the World Economic Forum / Akanksha Khatri in particular for advocating for innovative finance to scale biodiversity through a dedicated event where I have been honored to contribute Thanks also to Sustainable Markets Initiative for convening a dedicated workshop on the scaling up of voluntary carbon markets where I could share our vision on scaling VCMs, which is that carbon credits can be used both as part of a decarbonization trajectory but also in a contribution approach - Regenerative agriculture: OP2B continues to lead efforts in promoting #RegenerativeAgriculture as a key solution to climate and biodiversity challenges. In this respect, I have been happy to sign this recent Op-Ed advocating for #regenerativeagriculture to become the norm. This Op-Ed highlights the need to invest in farmers and scale regenerative practices to restore ecosystems, enhance food security, contribute to global net-zero goals and build resilient communities. Beyond fighting climate change, it's about creating a sustainable, resilient future for all. https://lnkd.in/e6gDxbKp 3️⃣ Blended finance is a powerful mechanism that needs to be unleashed through at least 3 key levers: a) Value correctly its risk mitigation properties (notably by rating the blended finance vehicles ) b) Scale the model, through the use of common frameworks at all levels of investments c) Leverage collaborative platforms => Thanks to Investor Leadership Network and to Sustainable Markets Initiative for releasing their report on blended finance best practices (https://lnkd.in/e4YXDbwB) , and to Columbia University and Caroline Flammer for hosting very insightful conferences on this topic where I have been happy to share my views. Thanks also to Convergence Blended Finance and to Natixis Investment Managers / Laura Kaliszewski for convening an insightful discussion on gender lens investing in blended finance, where I have also been proud to contribute. Gautier Quéru Thomas Giroux Manuel Coeslier Mirova Philippe Zaouati

The Ideal Future: Can We Ever Truly Be “Sustainable”? - https://lnkd.in/gJ_KpUhy Claire Williams Agriculture Myth Busting You read correctly: Agriculture Myth Busting has returned! To match some of the in-office conversations we’ve been having about its increasing generality and meaninglessness, I thought this season should be themed around sustainability. I believe there are aspects of the concept that are unintentionally missed in agricultural discussions, business planning, consumption, and policy. Therefore, my goal with the 2024/2025 AMB series is to trim some of the abstract away from the sustainability skeleton, and hopefully provide you with a better foundation of agricultural sustainability. Between the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Canada’s own federal initiatives

#COP29 We're excited to announce that GreenEarth Agro will be at COP29 in #Baku, hosting an impactful #pressconference on "No Food, No Future: Why Regenerative Agriculture Is Non-Negotiable". As the climate crisis accelerates, there is no better time to align global climate financing with sustainable agriculture. 📅 Join us on November 14th at 3 30 pm to dive into why food security and climate action must go hand in hand, and how regenerative agriculture offers #solutions to both challenges. Led by prominent voices in sustainable agriculture, climate policy, and investment, our panel will explore real, actionable pathways to bring much-needed finance into African agriculture. We're looking forward to engaging with policymakers, investors, and innovators. If you're passionate about building resilient food systems and empowering sustainable agricultural practices, come visit us, join the discussion, and connect with our team. 🌱🌍 Dr. Martin Frick Hunter Lovins Douglas H. Abhimanyu Singh Thorsten Lederer 托尔斯滕 COP29 Azerbaijan International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) World Food Programme African Union Development Agency-NEPAD NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION (NDPC)-GHANA Luxembourg-City Incubator LuxDev GoodBlock House of Startups Luxembourg

🌍 Transforming the Future Together! 🌍 We are beyond excited to announce the opening of our brand-new facility in South Africa this coming January 2025—a monumental step toward sustainable innovation and global impact. This cutting-edge site is not just about scaling biochar production; it’s about redefining accessibility and purpose. Our mission is to manufacture pyrolysis machines that are affordable, efficient, and fit for the needs of communities and businesses worldwide, empowering them to embrace sustainable solutions. In tandem with this, we are launching a state-of-the-art manufacturing and training hub to educate and inspire. By leveraging remote access cameras, we will provide real-time insights into the entire production process, ensuring complete transparency and showcasing how these groundbreaking technologies can reshape industries and the environment alike. At the heart of this initiative is collaboration. We are working hand-in-hand with local farmers to integrate biochar into their practices, enhancing soil health, boosting crop yields, and improving food security. This is more than a solution—it’s a partnership to build resilience and transform lives. Biochar’s potential goes far beyond agriculture. It reduces methane emissions when used in animal feed, cleans waterways by removing contaminants, and improves water quality. And when combined with wood vinegar—a natural byproduct of our pyrolysis process—it becomes a powerful, eco-friendly pesticide that supports sustainable agriculture while protecting ecosystems. This initiative also aligns with the global fight against climate change by generating measurable, verifiable carbon credits—offering companies a legitimate, impactful path toward their net-zero goals. It’s not about greenwashing; it’s about creating real, actionable change that benefits people, the planet, and generations to come. We are committed to addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges with solutions that are as practical as they are transformative, supporting local economies while empowering communities globally. If you’re a farmer, a business leader, a company seeking meaningful corporate social responsibility strategies, or even a supermarket striving to make a difference, we would love to hear from you. Let’s collaborate and create a better, greener future together. Here’s to innovation, resilience, and sustainability for all! 🌱

An exciting call to action by Forum for the Future, Mars and IDH, outlining the importance of a synergistic approach to tackling complex environmental and social concerns. Businesses must recognise that they are inherently entwined and should not be treated in isolation. Holistic thinking and integrated agendas can help businesses target systemic problems, and create value - a win-win outcome for a just future.

There is widespread agreement among business leaders that integrating social and environmental agendas is key to tackling the polycrises we face, and can unlock business benefits. But instances of where this has been successfully achieved are sparse. Find practical examples and a step-by-step approach to joining up the dots in our report with IDH and Mars: https://ow.ly/AOjl50QXp95 #Sustainability #SustainableBusiness #ESG

Climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, and resource depletion (do not forget: ESG!....) are some of the most pressing global issues today. Despite the presence of numerous experts, initiatives, foundations, reports... and start-ups with innovative ideas and technologies...and the organization of countless congresses and summits, the question remains: when will things just get done? It's time to move beyond mere talk and take real action towards sustainability. It's time for politicians to prioritize the future of our planet and its inhabitants over their own interests. check www.watervent.com www.disruptive-wood.com

Governments worldwide allocate over 850 billion US dollars annually to agricultural support. However, much of this support promotes unsustainable practices, exacerbates inequalities, and negatively impacts the environment and human health. Could the re-alignment of public subsidies encourage environmentally-friendly and socially beneficial practices? How can repurposing agricultural support lead to more sustainablefood system? This is the topic of the discussion that the Shamba Centre's Co-founder and Director of Programmes, Oshani Perera, will moderate during the Hamburg Sustainability Conference taking place this week. Invited speakers include Jochen Flasbarth from Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr Donal Brown, MRCVS, CBE from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Estrella Penunia Banzuela from the Asian Farmers' Association, Sergiy Zorya and Shobha Shetty from The World Bank, Lina Gandløse Hansen from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Denmark and Henry Msatilomo from the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi. As part of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference, Oshani will also present a new idea on blended financing for outcome payments. She will be joined by the Shamba Centre's Co-founder and Director of Partnerships, Francine Picard, who is attending the conference on behalf of the Zero Hunger Coalition The Hamburg Sustainability Conference, an initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNDP, Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability and the City of Hamburg, brings together approximately 1600 participants from 102 countries for more than 60 sessions to discuss concrete initiatives to accelerate the implementation of the #SDGs. https://lnkd.in/eV9rukBd

What does it take to drive real change in food systems? 🤔 In October, our sustainability team joined COP16 in Colombia to explore this question. From regenerative agriculture to meaningful global collaborations, the event was packed with insights shaping a greener future. Here’s what we learned: • ☺️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - We connected with partners and embraced local perspectives. Visiting Paulig's regenerative agriculture coffee farms in the Cauca region brought the conversation to life. • 🤝 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - Progress is being made, but challenges remain. While governments, conservationists, and businesses still work in silos, progress is being made to bridge these gaps. Some of our most valuable insights came from unexpected discussions. •  🚀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - New tools and partnerships inspire hope. Exploring innovative solutions and collaborations at the landscape level left us energized for the journey ahead. • 🫶🏼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - The stakes are high, but so is our commitment - Scaling regenerative agriculture practices is one way we are working to reduce pressures on nature while promoting sustainable food systems.   → It was a privilege to engage with changemakers and help shape the dialogue on sustainability. Let’s keep the momentum going, because together, we can make a difference. 🤎 → What role do you think businesses should play in driving sustainable change? Share your thoughts below! #pauliggroup #COP16 #sustainability

📣Regen10 webinar today – don’t miss out! There’s still time to sign up for our webinar later today, where we’ll be discussing how innovative financing models can de-risk investments in regenerative agriculture & catalyze scalable change, as the world gears up for the finance-focused #COP29 summit🌾 💡Hear from a panel of experts who are already working to help finance the transition, including TransCap Initiative’s Andre Ticoulat, Rex Raimond from Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS), Ramanjaneyulu GV of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA India), and Peter Andreas Nielsen, Common Fund for Commodities. 📈Learn about our #TransitionPathways analysis, which looks at the costs and benefits of regenerative approaches in key producer regions in Brazil, India, the USA, the UK and New Zealand, and highlights the financial support needed for a sustainable and equitable transition. 📅Thursday 7 November  ⌚09:00 EST/ 14:00 GMT/ 17:00 EAT/ 22:00 SGT  📍Zoom (register via the link in the comments) #RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateFinance #FoodSystems #COP29Azerbaijan