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Creating platforms for smallholder farmers to sell their excess stock; bringing processing facilities closer to farmers; and encouraging consumers to eat a more diverse selection of vegetables – these are just some of the ways businesses are tackling food loss and waste to reach net zero.

Getting to net zero requires a transformation of the food system. This “challenge of epic proportions” as described by Richard Swannell, International Director, WRAP, can only be overcome through collaboration.

The role of businesses in tackling food loss and waste was the central theme of the webinar “Target, Measure, Act, Invest: How businesses can help deliver a net zero food system for all.” Co-hosted by P4G and WRAP, the July 28 webinar was an affiliate session at the Pre-Summit to the United Nations Food Systems Summit.

Ian de Cruz, Global Director, P4G delivered the keynote where he emphasized the need to invest in market-based partnerships that could be applied in developing countries. He highlighted P4G’s FLAWLESS partnership with WRAP as a great example of implementing a proven concept to reduce food loss and waste in countries like Mexico, South Africa and soon Indonesia. The partnership takes the “Target- Measure-Act” approach and expands it to a “Target-Measure-Act-Invest” model. In this model, governments set the targets and corporations commit to ambitious Voluntary Agreements to achieve a measurable reduction in food loss and waste. Civil societies bring transparency and accountability to the process. To attract the investment needed to scale this approach, the partnership is developing innovative financial products that banks could offer companies to incentivize them to act.

“Partnerships are the key to unlocking scale and to unlocking impact,” said Andre Nel, General Manager Sustainability at Pick ‘N Pay the largest online grocery business in Africa. He shared that international learning and local action supported by the government were two notable benefits they derived from being part of global initiatives including the 10x20x30 and WRAP’s Voluntary Agreement in South Africa. He emphasized the need for a platform, such as the Voluntary Agreement, that provides the accurate data required for retailers like Pick ‘N Pay to identify food waste in their operations so they can act on it.

To eliminate food loss and waste, companies must also address it from the production side and both Nel and Thea Konig, Senior Global External Affairs Manager, Unilever, gave specific examples of their work with smallholder farmers. Unilever built processing facilities near tomato farmers in India to reduce waste and ensure better quality ingredients for the company’s food products. Pick ‘N Pay links farmers to buying and selling platforms where farmers can sell product or donate excess stock so nothing goes to waste. They also have a line of “not perfect” fruit and vegetables in stores that creates additional income for smallholder farmers.

The 2021 Food Waste Index Report from the United Nations Environment Programme and WRAP found that globally the average person wastes more than 260 pounds of food per year. This is an issue that needs to be tackled throughout the supply chain from producers to retailers and households. Konig mentioned Unilever’s consumer-focused efforts, which include awareness raising, steering consumers toward and offering more plant-based products, and encouraging the consumption of a diverse selection of vegetables that are good for the planet. These steps advance Unilever’s ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their own operations by 2030 and to be net zero across the value chain by 2039.

For businesses to take bold action to deliver on their net zero targets, they need access to capital that will allow them to pilot projects that can later be scaled. German Sturznegger, Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste Lead Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank outlined the bank’s vision to help governments and companies reduce emissions. He spoke about IADB’s support in the collection of baseline data since there can be no action without measurement. He also said that IADB is working with commercial banks to develop financial products such as credit lines for companies interested in investing in new technologies or processes to reduce food loss and waste. Over the course of the webinar Sturznegger shared Latin America’s challenge of lacking market intelligence on the financial needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). He noted that banks were ready with financial instruments but in order to make a business case for investment they needed more insight into what the financial needs and pain points were.

de Cruz pointed out that there was investment case already and what was required especially with SMEs was an element of aggregation. The next challenge for P4G is to work with innovative partnerships that develop financial products which provide incentives for some of the upfront capital investment needed for SMEs in developing countries to reduce food loss and waste in their operations.

As Nel rightly said, “Food waste is a complex issue. If it were simple, we would have solved it already.” While this webinar didn’t have all the answers, it provided a way forward with tangible solutions to begin addressing some of the food system’s most urgent needs.

Watch the full recording here.

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At a Roundtable on E-mobility for 2 and 3 Wheelers hosted by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals (P4G) on July 9, 2021, leaders in e-mobility highlighted the great opportunity that electric mobility offers in reducing air pollution, increasing good, green jobs, and aligning Kenya’s growth with its climate and sustainable development goals. Participants from government, civil society and the private sector identified key elements and opportunities needed to scale up e-mobility solutions in Kenya, including through enabling regulatory frameworks and driving innovative financial models.

Nicholas Nesbitt, Ex-Officio Director, KEPSA and P4G National Platform Co-Chair welcomed participants and emphasized how the private sector plays a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya’s market-driven economy. In calling partners to broaden efforts for sustainable transport electrification, Nesbitt cited the goal of ensuring that 20% of all vehicles are electrically powered by 2030. “Businesses have the power to innovate, to bring solutions to create real transformative solutions to some of our systemic social economic problems such as low carbon emission transport,” Nesbitt stated.

Shifting to the policy perspective, Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo, CBS, Ministry of Environment and Forestry reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement in updating its Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030. With 2- and 3-wheel vehicles being 10-times more polluting than 4-wheel vehicles, and projected to almost triple in numbers by 2030, transitioning to electric mobility offers enormous potential for meeting Kenya’s climate goals. Through a national strategy for sustainable transport, shifting to electric bikes in Kenya will reduce costs, limit pollution, and create jobs. Kiptoo called on the private sector to render their full support as their inputs prove critical in developing the financial mechanisms needed to enable an e-mobility transition in Kenya.

Esther Gacanja, Principal Economist, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Work, shared the Ministry’s findings on Kenya’s favorable situation for the electrification of transport in a way that will provide mobility for people and goods while creating new value chains. Gacanja emphasized the need to improve financial access and new business models to overcome high initial costs of electric vehicles, enhance public awareness, build capacity, and explore the possibilities of local assembly, which has the multiplying effect of supporting Kenya’s manufacturing strategy.

In a discussion about the drivers, barriers and opportunities for e-mobility in Kenya, Elisabeth Biber, E-mobility and Development, Siemens Stiftung, presented on the P4G partnership Accelerating E-mobility Solutions for Social Change. The partnership worked with local manufacturers to pilot electric motorcycles, identify necessary policy reforms to strengthen local value chains, and understand the finance needs to promote start-up businesses in e-mobility. Biber also underscored the importance of establishing a national standard for the charging sector, implementing de-risking instruments to increase the access to finance, and increasing the access to information and public awareness of e-mobility. 

Ambassador Dennis Awori, Chairman and Country Delegate, Toyota Kenya and CFAO Kenya and P4G Board Member, emphasized that with the motorcycle market in Kenya growing rapidly, and 2- and 3-wheelers being among biggest polluters, transitioning to electric vehicles represents a huge opportunity to align Kenya’s growth with the Paris Agreement. He noted that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in his address to boda boda operators last year said that motorcycle assembly and manufacturing is the silent growth sector. The new electric bikes should not only meet consumer needs but perform better than fossil fuel motorcycles, with excellent driving range and power specifications. “Only if we have the right product in the market that we will be able to attract financiers who are absolutely critical to the industry’s growth,” he stated. Ambassador Awori also highlighted how a transition to e-mobility can drive greater information technology connectivity as batteries, bikes, and payment systems communicate through mobile apps and operation centers.

The roundtable also focused on how to accelerate e-mobility market development. Wanjira Mathai, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, World Resources Institute (WRI), highlighted the need for sustainable clean mobility and efficient transport systems as urban growth accelerates, especially considering its role in addressing poverty reduction and job creation. Mathai noted that Kenya has a clean and sufficient electricity generation, making e-mobility a viable alternative and critical part of the national strategy.

Pawan Mulukutla, Director Electric Mobility, WRI, then shared success stories from several countries across Asia and Africa, including India, where demand incentives and favorable policies have led to 540 electric mobility enterprises, $860 million investments in the e-mobility sector, and over 500,000 jobs created. Mulukutla concluded that the key factors to achieve electrification include conducive policy and regulatory environments, public-private partnerships for infrastructure and innovation, and creation of a strong manufacturing base.

Wrapping up the roundtable, Leila Yim Surratt, P4G Director of Strategy and Engagement, shared P4G’s approach to accelerating the transition to e-mobility and green growth, and moderated a discussion, which included comments from Kenyan private sector leaders on how to use existing network of outlets to achieve intended progress on e-mobility. Isaac Kalua, the Chairman of Motorcycle Assemblers Association of Kenya and Chairman of Honda Motorcycles Kenya, joined in the discussion, noting that 3.3 million liters of fuel are currently used every day, showing the opportunity to reduce pollution and reliance on fossil fuels, and that the motorcycle producers are committed to supporting e-mobility in Kenya.  As noted by Nesbitt, “It will happen if we have this close collaboration and everyone gets on the same page, so we can save the planet and keep Kenya even greener.”

The roundtable was followed by informational session on P4G’s Call for Partnerships, encouraging e-mobility partnerships to apply for funding.

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“The critical role of people-powered finance in COP26 climate talks,” a recent webinar hosted by P4G partnership Energise Africa highlighted innovative crowdfunding approaches that are bridging the climate financing gap in developing countries. The engaging discussion touched upon issues of educating people and institutions, the role of philanthropic and public capital, and how to scale available financing from the millions to the billions and trillions needed to achieve a net zero future. Ian de Cruz, Global Director, P4G moderated the discussion.

Iongwa Mashangao, CEO and Co-Founder, Altech, shared the key role crowdfunded financing and platforms like Energise Africa have played in helping grow small businesses and bring clean sources of energy to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). From starting with only 50 solar lanterns , Altech now benefits more than 1 million households with over 220,000 solar products. Iongwa shared his goal of creating 5,000 jobs and reaching 10 million people in the next decade. He spoke about how Energise Africa gave businesses like Altech the funds they needed to increase their customer base and attract other potential investors.

Mashangao outlined two significant barriers related to inventory financing and a lack of education. A stronger source of inventory financing would help businesses like his meet increased customer demand and scale these solutions not only within the country but also across Africa. He also spoke about the need to educate rural residents to consider clean energy a basic need, so they move away from toxic sources like kerosene lamps. He shared the education necessary for local banks to understand and back their model. Altech is currently educating government authorities on the need for decentralized electric systems and showing local banks evidence that its business model is sound by sharing data of people following through with their payments.

"You can't resolve the problem without money. You need to use that money in catalytic ways,” said Steven Hunt, Energy Innovation Advisor, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He spoke about how solar wasn’t initially an obvious cost-effective solution for renewable energy but over time it became apparent that modern lower-cost solutions linking back to solar are an integral part of the clean energy transition. And the rising influence of solar as the solution meant better protections for companies working in countries and who would have access to lower cost capital. He also shared that the success of crowdfunding platforms like Energise Africa show that there is real interest from people who don’t want to wait for governments or pension funds to lead the way.

The message of people wanting to enable change was echoed by Stephanie Jones, Programme Manager, Good Energies Foundation. Jones elaborated on how participating in impact-driven crowdfunding spurred individuals to take other forms of climate action, functioning as a driver of behavior change.

de Cruz called out how innovation and empowering entrepreneurs can lead to immediate outcomes. He highlighted P4G’s impact model of backing pioneering partnerships like Energise Africa and others by proving viable concepts at speed, so governments and financial systems have the confidence to crowd in and scale and replicate them.

Lisa Ashford, CEO, Energise Africa spoke about how the partnership, born out of an innovative finance program run by UK Aid, was set up to funnel investments from individual investors to provide affordable capital to solar businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. These were businesses providing pay-as-you-go solar plans to residents and businesses and giving people access to clean energy. She shared how the platform has invested more than $30 million and provided clean energy access to more than half a million people on the ground. The blended finance mechanisms provided by UK Aid to mitigate the risk and match the funding raised by individual investors helped the platform scale from its initial concept.

Instead of focusing on the financing challenges, Snehar Shah, Managing Director East Africa, Azuri Technologies detailed the immense potential to scale these models. He highlighted how Azuri, a pioneer in pay-as-you-go technology in Africa, had already connected more than 200,000 households to clean energy, amplifying its mission aligned with the Kenyan government’s off-grid electrification strategy. Shah also shared the opportunity to scale not only across different countries but also within individual countries by extending the benefits of crowdfunding from solar lighting to different devices such as televisions and phone chargers. He gave an example of Azuri’s diversification through their role in helping deliver education to rural children when schools were shut because of COVID-19. Through Azuri, the kids had access to solar-powered televisions and were able to follow along with their lessons that were transmitted via satellites to the TVs. The business also has a specific gender equality mission, partnering with female entrepreneurs to help spread the word about clean energy solutions within their communities.

When de Cruz asked panelists how these models could scale, Jones pointed to the growth of platforms like Energise Africa focused on different issues such as locally owned women start-ups and the peace benefits of renewable energy. She spoke about the multiplication of similar platforms as a likely path forward for scaling since people like choice in their investments and are driven by different values and impact goals.

Ashford reiterated the need for different forms of financing and how she hoped that by working together, platforms like Energise Africa would make it easier for others entering this market because that’s what translates into benefits on the ground. She also spoke about Energise Africa’s plans to scale by exploring different sectors such as agricultural technology and geographies beyond Sub-Saharan Africa. Energise Africa just funded its first project in India. Ashford pointed out that securing more blended finance alongside the individual investor finance would lift up the whole sector and deliver greater impact.

Shah summed up the forward-looking discussion and future opportunities best when he said, "We are at an inflection point where many of the roadblocks have been addressed and now it's really the time for exponential growth."

Listen to the full recording here.

Note: Capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. Please read the full risk warning on https://www.energiseafrica.com/risk before deciding to invest.

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On June 9, P4G’s “family” of partnerships, partner countries, and partner organizations gathered to discuss highlights from the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit and how to leverage high-impact partnerships to drive bold climate action. P4G Global Director Ian de Cruz kicked off the session by sharing the key messages from the Summit, where P4G solidified its role as the global delivery mechanism for inclusive partnerships in developing countries. “What we co-create in 2021 and 2022 will define P4G’s trajectory,” de Cruz said.

P4G’s Director of Partnerships, Robyn McGuckin, followed by reflecting on the lessons learned from the most successful P4G Partnerships and how those learnings have shaped P4G’s partnership selection process for 2021 and beyond. McGuckin remarked how partnerships must be driven by entrepreneurs on the ground and align with country priorities in order to gain the most value from P4G’s dynamic network. The selection process will focus on developing depth and strength of mutually reinforcing partnerships within P4G’s five focus SDGs to accelerate the growth and scale of commercially viable models. 

Moderators from the five SDG Thematic Sessions at the Summit shared the key takeaways and the opportunities coming out of each session to accelerate participating partnerships’ impact models. Kevin Moss, Global Director of the Center for Sustainable Business at World Resources Institute reflected on the Circular Economy session’s discussion, where the Sustainable Industrial Clusters/SSEZ Partnership, Circular Fashion Partnership, and 3RI Partnership highlighted how local ownership and stakeholders are at the core. This aspect, coupled with support from the P4G family and knowledge products to share learnings enhances the ability for partnerships to replicate in other regions and sectors.

Claire Kneller, Head of the International Food Programme at WRAP, shared outcomes from the Food and Agriculture session that focused on scaling solutions on food security through the Sustainable Food Partnership and sharing data through the Sustainable Sourcing at Scale partnership’s SourceUp platform. As a partner in the FLAWLESS partnership, Kneller also highlighted Rabobank’s commitment to join the initiative, solidifying the idea that food loss and waste prevention can be turned into a legitimate asset. “The true value of P4G is its driving force to bring together public and private partners. It's challenging but it’s what’s required,” noted Kneller.  

De Cruz outlined the Energy session takeaways, where emerging partnerships of government and industry can work together to meet net zero commitments and decarbonize hard to abate sectors, particularly in transportation. P4G demonstrated genuine market-based opportunities for learnings and catalytic investment through the Africa GreenCo, Energise Africa, and Energy Efficiency Alliance partnerships, which shared their models at the Summit.

Reflecting on the Cities session, Leila Yim Surratt, P4G’s Director of Strategy and Engagement emphasized how leapfrogging to sustainable and efficient alternatives in the transport and building sector will reduce emissions for cities under the framework of net zero. This represents an opportunity to create jobs and spark green development aligned to country priorities, a key element in P4G’s 2021 partnership process.

McGuckin closed out the SDG session takeaways by sharing the innovation needed for investing in tangible solutions for water and sanitation access. With P4G’s digitization theme, partnerships like iW+ and Finance for WASH access are pioneering successful models in the water sector where investment is so hard to come by.

With the focus on preparing partnerships for commercial investment, P4G’s Director of Investments Sarbinder Singh emphasized that to change the situation on the ground and deliver on the sustainable development goals, partnerships must reach financial sustainability. Singh described how P4G will bring investors because they are not looking for individual partnerships but looking to find scale for their investments, in multiple countries to diversify their portfolio aligned with P4G’s thematic areas.

De Cruz and McGuckin closed the session by sharing how P4G will leverage momentum from the Summit to co-create the most transformative partnerships that really deliver solutions. P4G encourages partnerships to apply for the 2021 call for applications for P4G funding and acceleration for on the ground enterprise growth driven by an entrepreneur. The partnership must be working on a solution that’s on a pathway to commercialization within the next two years. The Summit demonstrated that P4G can be that bridge between development and investment, but we need partnerships with solutions that attract private capital and create their own momentum to deliver enduring impact.

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From May 24-29, the Republic of Korea led a series of dynamic discussions as part of Green Future Week to share its innovative technology to scale investment. Kicking off the Opening Ceremony, Chung Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea, defined the themes of inclusivity and bringing together diverse stakeholders as a key focus of the week and where P4G contributes great value through its impactful partnerships on the ground. The sessions underscored the need to build back better and greener as the world continues pursues an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  

At the “Green New Deal: Clean Transition to the Green Economy” session, the discussion centered around climate finance as key to achieving national ambitions of net neutrality by 2050 and the urgency of unlocking more private capital. This is where P4G was noted as adding global value by demonstrating a model to increase private investment. The session built on Korea’s announcements that it will invest 3.8 percent of its GDP in Green New Deal projects including green infrastructure, renewable energy and green mobility.  

Several sessions, including the “Actions of Local Governments towards Carbon Neutrality” breakout, highlighted the importance of tailoring local and regional measures on climate, especially in terms of creating jobs and providing financial incentives. The focus on financing echoed throughout the week as necessary to scaling solutions across areas. In “Hope for the Future, ‘Biodiversity Restoration,’” the discussion emphasized nature-based solutions as a crucial area where financial sector leadership can capitalize on momentum for mainstreaming targeted policies and investments to scale and accelerate regeneration.    

The “Business Paradigm Shift in the Era of ESG & Green Tech” session emphasized that corporations are an integral part of the race to net zero. Their transition will be driven by leadership that prioritizes medium- and long-term investments rather than short term profits through new technologies, increased efficiencies and other innovations. Speakers noted the importance of communication and collaboration delivered through initiatives like P4G. Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group and incoming Chief of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted, "I sincerely hope that the P4G, a global platform participated in by different stakeholders will play a decisive role in forming a strong collaboration at a global level."  

Throughout the week, P4G partnerships were featured as examples of multi-country collaboration for innovative market-based solutions. The “Building Back Bluer Through Ocean” session emphasized the need to decarbonize shipping through P4G’s Getting to Zero Coalition partnership, which urged key stakeholders to bridge the competitiveness gap between carbon-based fuels and zero-carbon energy sources to unlock opportunities for developing countries. In “Forests for Global Net-Zero and Peace,” P4G’s Agroforestry for People, Peace and Prosperity partnership served as an example of partnering to restore the forest ecosystem and generate sustainable income for local residents amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19. 

The “Green Technology: Path Finder for Carbon-Neutral Society” session emphasized Korea's commitment to investing in green technology and cooperating with other countries for climate technology development. Private sector leaders discussed strategies to take a whole supply chain approach to going carbon neutral, including through exploring viable strategies for scaling technologies such as green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and bio-based resources. P4G was hailed as a valuable platform in delivering inclusive partnerships, and Mark Radka, Acting Director of the UN Environment Programme shared P4G’s role as a “fellow traveler in forward-looking, altruistic implementation.” 

At one of the final sessions, "The Role of Finance: Fostering Green Recovery in the Post COVID-19 Era” the discussion focused on mobilizing investment in green technologies and infrastructure needed for the global low-carbon transition. Keynote speakers, including Makhtar Diop, Managing Director at the International Finance Corporation, shared the critical role public-private partnerships will play in the transition to carbon neutrality, especially in the leadup to COP26.  

"Partnerships between the public and private sector are key to unlocking clean energy future. Organizations like P4G and efforts like these are key to making that future a reality,” said Diop.  

Access recordings of all of the Green Future Week sessions here.

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The opportunity for developing countries to leapfrog to zero emissions was a central theme of the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit Session “Partnership for Smart and Resilient Green Cities.”

Nigel Topping, High Level Champion for Climate Action, COP26, kicked off the discussion with his keynote that underscored the urgency of going from targets to plans to actions. He emphasized the need for innovative and practical partnerships with accessible solutions and mentioned the role of P4G “as a crucial platform for pursuing those kinds of solutions in developing economies that will help us in the lead up and beyond COP26.” Topping, who launched the Race to Zero Campaign in June 2020, shared how P4G’s work complements the campaign’s goals of galvanizing ambitious climate action among cities, regions, businesses and investors – all of whom are expected to declare concrete plans of halving their emissions by 2030.

Sharing the impact of the built environment on emissions and an approach to decarbonization was Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council. Through the work of the Green Building Council, multiple cities in Latin America have enacted key energy efficiency policies to make new builds net zero. Gamboa noted the uptick of cities interested in energy efficient buildings and the role of partnerships in sharing best practices that could speed the process. Since residential structures comprise 70% of new builds, Gamboa highlighted the need to include housing in net zero building policies as well.

Daniel Gomez, Deputy Minister for National Planning, Colombia, rounded out the keynote speeches by sharing Colombia’s commitment to achieving its ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). He called out a few guiding pillars that informed its strategy for a sustainable and resilient economic recovery – infrastructure and sustainable cities, bio-economy, and nature-based solutions. Gomez also mentioned the urban mobility priorities of Colombia - a sector in which P4G works closely with Colombia, accelerating numerous zero emissions transportation partnerships. He wrapped by sharing Colombia’s excitement about hosting the P4G Summit in 2023.

Session moderator, Leila Yim Surrat, Director of Strategy & Engagement at P4G, led the session into a discussion where she asked all panelists to share the innovative solutions they are working on and how P4G could help scale their vision.

Monica Araya, Special Adviser to COP26 Climate Champion Nigel Topping stressed the importance of a clear vision on the end goal of net zero and the need to get there fast. As she pointed out about the Race to Zero, “it’s a race, we’re not walking.” She spoke about smart financing being integral to e-mobility breakthroughs and combining enabling policies with suppliers who commit to producing e-buses and investors who provide the capital. She called on P4G to engage local banking sectors in its partner countries, so financing did not flow to high carbon projects. Ultimately, she said, this is a story of people – drivers, children and people w in the city whose lives will change for the better with these solutions.

Bryan Wisk, Chief Investment Officer, Asymmetric Return Capital (ARC) shared the approach of using finance to come up with a model that has been applied to other asset classes to consolidate the technological risk, lower the cost, and increase the bankability of these solutions. This increases the probability of attracting international capital and standardizing these models. He noted that P4G is instrumental in ensuring that these models get driven nationally with close buy-in at the local and regional levels.

Continuing the e-mobility conversation, Dennis Awori, Chairman, Toyota Kenya, shared Toyota’s goal of getting to net zero in operations and products that complemented Kenya’s commitment to climate action. With the transport sector contributing to 13 – 17% of emissions in Kenya, using e-mobility for public transport and goods movement enables the country to leapfrog from conventional mobility to sustainable alternatives. He shared how Toyota was focusing on 2-3 wheelers, before moving to 4-wheelers and buses and the opportunities this would lead to developing a new industry and expanding an existing one. He urged P4G to continue its work of bringing together different stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society to forge and develop the implementation of net zero plans.

Lars Tveen, President, Developing Regions, Danfoss, picked up the thread started by Cristina Gamboa on the need for energy efficiency in buildings. Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of direct and indirect CO2 emissions and Danfoss is focused on saving energy and turning energy green. Tveen shared that green and financially attractive propositions can work together, providing an example of a 20-story building in Kuala Lumpur retrofitted with a new cooling system that resulted in 60 – 70% of energy efficiency with a payback time of two years. He spoke of P4G’s role in articulating these solutions and delivering progress at speed. “Energy efficiency is the best job creator,” he said as he highlighted the opportunity for developing countries to be at the forefront of bringing down CO2 emissions in the built environment.

Yim Surratt closed with inspiring remarks that got to the core of the need for sustainable cities – the impact on people as they live, breathe, commute and work in cities. She painted an exciting picture of the way everyone’s lives could be transformed in the next decade through clean vehicles and buildings.

Watch the full session recording here.

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“We are nurturing the future triggers of change that can actually transform a society,” said Pia Yasuko Rask, SafeWater Senior Director at Grundfos, in her keynote remarks for the P4G Summit Thematic Session on “Carbon-neutral Smart Water Management for Climate Resilience.”

Speakers at the session emphasized the collaboration needed to overcome challenges to deliver safe water and sanitation access. Moderated by Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, Executive Director of the International Water Association, the session highlighted the real opportunity for innovation that lies in in the developing world because there is not the legacy water infrastructure as in the rest of the world.

Opening the session, State Minister Shahriar Alam of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared the climate change challenges faced by Bangladesh. In response, the country has created a climate trust fund dedicated to climate adaptation and resilience. Minister Alam underscored the value of P4G’s partnerships in Bangladesh, including Clean Water for All, to recognize the multidimensionality of water infrastructure and access.

Rask focused her remarks on the need for bold change to make the business case for water access. Rask shared Grundfos’ launch of a business to mainstream their products and services to the most vulnerable populations in the developing world. To build the bridge from aid to trade and from grant to growth, Rask emphasized the value of P4G in providing the space to collaborate and innovate to explore what is commercially viable.

Karin Finkelston, Vice President of Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach at the International Finance Corporation, shared the transformational impact delivering safe water will have and the need for innovative, market-driven, and long-term solutions to ensure that access. This means bringing in the private sector through key partnerships. Finkelston noted that the alignment and coordination with P4G and others proves essential in scaling up collaboration and finding proactive solutions to these challenges.

The panel session brought together speakers from P4G partnerships to identify and advance innovative water enterprises providing proven solutions on the ground and scaling up the finance needed to accelerate these solutions. Panelists were asked to share how their solutions unlock investment for transformative change and what specific gaps in the investor marketplace their solutions seek to address.

Vedika Bhandarkar, Chief Global Impact Officer of Water.org shared their work with financial institutions for technical and capacity building help to make loans to households at the base of the economic pyramid. Sharing several examples, Bhandarkar noted that these partnerships with financial institutions have enabled 36 million people to get access to clean water and sanitation. Yet, these efforts need to continue to replicate and scale. For Bhandarkar, this is where P4G can shine a light on investment, help models expand, and bring in other investment managers to meet the great need.

Building on Bhandarkar’s comments, Josien Sluijs, Managing Director of Aqua for All shared the transformative impact of access to capital because public funding available is vastly insufficient to meet the need. This is why organizations like Aqua for All and Water.org can collaborate with P4G to strengthen enterprises and create a pipeline for investors in the water sector. Sluijs also spoke about the intersectional nature of water sector solutions, such as partnerships to prevent garment industry pollution in local water supply.

Valentin Post, CEO of FINISH Mondial, shared the need to bring in finance for local entrepreneurs to start constructing and building in a way that will ultimately institutionalize solutions. FINISH Mondial has taken this approach through sanitation training in Kenya to scale and mainstream solutions. Post stressed that there is a clear case for investment, and P4G is well suited to accelerate that.

Bringing in the local perspective, Robert Bunyi, CEO of Kenya Pooled Water Fund shared his organization’s work to fill the gap between government and private funding by securing local capital to achieve Kenya’s goal of universal water access. Bunyi explained how the Fund sells long-term bonds on the market to give local companies the unique ability to directly invest in themselves. “When you give this kind of power to the water companies, we end up with local decision making, local solutions, and therefore that’s where the sustainability starts,” Bunyi said.

Closing the session, P4G’s Director of Partnerships Robyn McGuckin reflected on the innovative solutions that present a clear path forward for achieving clean, safe water access for all. P4G hopes to continue scaling and accelerating the kind of partnerships needed to drive a just transition.

Watch the session recording here.

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Enhancing Food Security through Sustainable Food Partnership

As a side event to the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit, the Sustainable Food Partnership (SFP) event on May 28 included an engaged dialogue between the CEOs driving the collaborative and innovative model. The partnership aims to manufacture nutritious and affordable biscuits in Ethiopia with locally sourced ingredients and enhance food security for women and children in the country. Fekadu Beyene, Commissioner of Ethiopia’s Forest and Climate Change Commission opened the discussion by sharing how the partnership could address childhood malnutrition in the country and is taking a market-based approach to food security – a priority issue for Ethiopia.

Ian de Cruz, Global Director, P4G moderated a panel discussion in which CEOs representing each partner in the model shared how the partnership was critical to their growth strategy. Samuel Zemui, CEO, Moya Foods Complex noted how a partnership like SFP that involves local smallholder farmers while enriching the nutritious value of the Ethiopian diet could be eye-opening to a lot of businesses. It also opens the doors for the development of other innovative products that Moya and others could consider in the future. Ester Baiget, CEO, Novozymes shared how a partnership like this is “not only the right thing to do, it’s also a good solid business case.” By bringing science to a sustainable and competitive product in the Ethiopian market, Novozymes could expand this model to other countries and products in Africa.

Henrik Andersen, CEO, Arla Food Ingredients, spoke about value of building a model whose impact could be long-lasting while also enabling its learning to be applied in other places in the African continent. Birgitte Qvist-Sørensen, General Secretary, DanChurchAid, brought in the civil society perspective by sharing how SFP presents a disruptive model that can be replicated and expanded to provide a nutritional resource for refugee camps. The CEOs also got a chance to sample a prototype of the biscuit, which Qvist-Sørensen described as “delicious, crisp and sweet.”

Tomas Anker Christensen, Climate Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark, closed the event with a call for strong partnership models like SFP that rise to the challenge of tackling food security – a growing issue during the COVID-19 and climate crises. He shared Denmark’s priority of strengthening climate agriculture and spoke about SFP being a hallmark P4G partnership that produces tangible results.

E-mobility Strategies to Scale Zero Emissions Transportation

Net zero is not achievable without a transition in the transportation sector. To accelerate the adoption of e-mobility vehicles it’s critical to overcome challenges such as adequate funding, infrastructure issues and finding ways to replicate successful models. These were some of the issues discussed at a May 28 P4G Seoul Summit side-event on e-mobility hosted by the Global Green Growth Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and P4G.

Sarbinder Singh, Director of Investments, P4G spoke about the platform’s approach of integrating its e-mobility theme within its larger electric transition strategy. He spoke about the need to link renewable energy solutions with the utility sector and pilot initiatives to ensure stakeholders get familiar with the solutions and risks. The event, which included representatives from governments, businesses, financial institutions and partnerships took an in-depth look at the lessons learned from Norway to Latin America and the different approaches being trialed to accelerate the transition in different parts of the world.

Watch the full recording here.

Catalyzing Investors to Accelerate the Transition to Net Zero

The Asian Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) hosted a forum on May 31 to offer insights into the current actions by investors and ones they can take in the future to address climate change risk and the business opportunities afforded by this approach.

Nigel Topping, High Level Champion for Climate Action, COP26, opened the discussion by sharing the launch of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) that brings together over 160 firms across the financial system to accelerate the transition to net zero by 2050.

Rebecca Mikula-Wright, Executive Director, AIGCC, moderated the discussion and opened by asking panelists about their strategy for accelerating the shift to net zero.

Jon Johnsen, CEO, PKA (a Danish pension fund) shared how the fund now invests10% of its asset base in green investments and that a strong green portfolio acts as a stabilizer and a risk mitigation strategy. Akira Sugano, CEO, Asset Management One, mentioned how his company focused on areas where they have the most leverage which is currently Japanese companies. He spoke about using a science-based approach to set their targets for the percentage of assets that align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Sandra Boss, Global Head of Investment Stewardship, Blackrock, noted the company’s intensified focus on sustainability and its extensive engagement with its clients asking carbon-intensive companies to have a net zero aligned business plan. Boss also shared Blackrock’s strategy of measuring and managing sustainability risk.

Ian de Cruz, Global Director, P4G, emphasized the business opportunity provided by developing countries and challenged investors to invest in solutions that progress the net zero agenda. While highlighting the Republic of Korea’s commitment to end overseas coal financing, he suggested the next step be the reallocation of that capital domestically and globally.

Watch the full recording here.

About

Role of public-private partnerships in progressing net zero commitments brought to forefront

SEOUL (June 1, 2021) — 67 world leaders and heads of international organizations united for climate action at the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit on May 30 and 31, calling for concrete action to meet ambitious climate commitments. More than 200 high level officials including policymakers, CEOs, representatives of international organizations and civil societies participated at Green Future Week sessions and Thematic sessions from May 24 to May 31. 

The P4G Summit was the first multilateral environmental event hosted by the Republic of Korea at a Summit level. Participating world leaders including Emmanuel Macron (President of France), Boris Johnson (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), Li Keqiang (Premier of China), Sheikh Hasina (Prime Minister of Bangladesh) and Sahle-Work Zewde (President of Ethiopia) delivered a clear and consistent message. Bold commitments need to be followed by concrete action, and climate finance commitments need to be honored so developing countries can get access to inclusive finance to reach their climate action targets. John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, emphasized the need for countries to raise their 2030 target ambitions. He spoke about platforms like Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 (P4G) and public-private partnerships as crucial to building sustainable and resilient communities. Leaders also drew out the correlation between green growth and job growth. 

President Moon Jae-in announced the Republic of Korea’s intention to present its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions for 2030 by the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties COP26. He shared the commitment of the Korean National Pension Service – the world’s third largest pension fund – to decarbonize. He also announced a plan to increase Green official development assistance funding (ODA) including support to the Global Green Growth Institute and P4G.

"We were able to reaffirm that we are united as one in our commitment. The public-private partnerships enhanced through this Summit will lead to a successful COP26 coming in November, which I say with confidence. Moreover, leaders concurred that the UN-led initiatives for responding to climate change and achieving SDGs have been complemented by P4G," said Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea.

Positioned as a stepping stone to COP26 in November this year, the Summit highlighted the importance of multistakeholder partnerships for unlocking a clean future. 

"If we want to fight climate change, we have to work together. Governments, industries, citizens. Across the globe. That is what we hope to pass on through P4G: Climate action brought about by the right political decisions and strong partnerships. Between our countries. And between sectors," said Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark. 

"The next few years will be crucial. Here I see P4G as a key delivery mechanism. It will help us follow through on our commitments to the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, including beyond COP26," said Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands. 

Iván Duque, President of Colombia, announced the country’s commitment to reduce 51% of emissions by 2030 through its energy transition strategy including "making a big bet on electric vehicles." He also announced that Colombia would host the next P4G Summit in 2023. 

The Seoul Declaration adopted at the Summit highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in driving a net zero future. It emphasized the importance of green recovery from the pandemic as well as scaling investments in market-based solutions and a green transition.

The Summit showcased P4G as a delivery mechanism that could turn political commitments into market-based solutions for developing countries that can be accelerated and scaled by private sector investment. It featured solutions led by innovative partnerships that could help developing countries leapfrog carbon-dependent infrastructure, accelerate a clean energy transition, and make progress on their increasingly ambitious climate goals.

"What makes P4G unique is that our partnerships put developing countries in the lead. Based on their national priorities, we match their climate solutions with global technology, investment and expertise. This partnership pipeline creates jobs and helps countries drive climate action," said Ian de Cruz, Global Director, P4G. 

A few examples of tangible and investable P4G solutions discussed at Summit sessions are included below: 

• Food: FLAWLESS is a partnership developing models to monetize the savings from food loss and waste reduction in Mexico, Indonesia and South Africa. It’s establishing innovative financial products that banks could offer companies who commit to taking measurable action on their food waste. 
• Water: The Finance for WASH Access Partnership is designing a multi-million dollar lending facility to improve water and sanitation solutions for retailers and households in Kenya. 
• Energy: Energise Africa is a crowdfunding platform that has raised more than $27 million from individual investors for solar businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. This allows small and medium solar businesses to raise the flexible finance needed to provide solar home and commercial systems on affordable payment plans.  
• Cities: P4G’s zero emissions transportation partnerships in Latin America such as the ZEBRA partnership are developing investment models to enable the commercial deployment of electric buses and freight across the region. 
• Circular Economy: The SSEZ/Sustainable Industrial Clusters Partnership is transforming industrial parks into green manufacturing circular hubs. The Oserian Two Lakes Industrial Park under development in Kenya has the potential to mobilize US $500 million investment in green infrastructure and create 10,000 local jobs. 

To speak with Ian de Cruz, Global Director of P4G or a P4G Partnership, please contact Sangeetha Sarma at Sangeetha.sarma@p4gpartnerships.org. 

Learn more about the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit: https://2021p4g-seoulsummit.kr

Learn more about P4G: https://p4gpartnerships.org/

About P4G – Pioneering Green Partnerships, Investing in Impact
P4G – Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 - is a global platform pioneering green partnerships to build sustainable and resilient economies. P4G bridges the gap between development and investment to deliver transformative solutions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. P4G mobilizes a global ecosystem of 12 partner countries and 5 organizational partners to unlock opportunities for more than 50 partnerships working in developing countries in five SDG areas: food and agriculture, water, energy, cities and circular economy.

About

Low carbon renewable energy solutions with enormous growth potential exist and are being implemented in developing countries today. Through an enabling environment and investment, they can grow and replicate to deliver an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

On May 31,at the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit Thematic Session “A Greener Planet with Innovative Energy Solutions” speakers from the private sector, leaders of international organizations and P4G partnerships shared their visionary ideas backed by action - all in the pursuit of a more equitable and net zero future for all. Moderated by P4G Global Director Ian de Cruz, the session focused on existing solutions and tangible next steps to accelerate their growth.

Mads Nipper, CEO, Ørsted, opened the session with an inspirational keynote address on how the leading Danish energy company achieved its two targets of lowering offshore wind power prices and generating 85% of its energy from renewables by 2040 far ahead of time. This rapid transition was made possible by the enabling policies set by governments in Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom that gave Ørsted the safety net to make these long-term investments in low carbon solutions. Nipper urged the private sector to be catalysts for change and leverage platforms like P4G to accelerate the transformation required right now.

The next keynote speaker was Ana Hadjuka, CEO & Founder of Africa GreenCo, a P4G partnership that acts as a creditworthy buyer and seller of energy and reduces the risk of investing in renewable energy projects in Zambia. Hadjuka pointed out that while the electrification of Southern Africa offered great potential, it needed to be turned into a reality. She called the current piecemeal project-based funding approach to energy projects in Africa “a sticking plaster and not a cure.” She laid out GreenCo’s plans to mobilize billions of dollars by 2030 to create 4,000 jobs and power nearly six million homes. She concluded by reflecting on the shared vision between P4G and GreenCo, “we believe in the systems change that brings benefits to all actors in the energy space in Africa.”

Finally, Dan Jørgensen, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Denmark rounded out the keynote remarks by sharing Denmark’s long history of listening and cooperation. He announced the launch of a new report that tracks Denmark’s sustainable energy growth and called on participants to find ways to catalyze investments and accelerate innovation in an inclusive manner. He highlighted this as a defining hallmark of P4G.

De Cruz kicked off a panel discussion to focus on the specific solutions emerging in developing countries. He asked the panelists to share their investable solutions and how P4G could help scale that ambition.

Lisa Ashford, CEO, Ethex, spoke about Energise Africa’s role in bridging the financing gap to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by bringing in retail finance. The P4G partnership uses a crowdfunding platform to provide flexible and affordable capital to solar businesses across sub-Saharan Africa. This enables them to scale their businesses and in turn supply clean energy access for millions of people. The partnership aims to expand in other regions like Asia and sectors such as agro-tech, clean mobility and water. Ashford spoke about P4G’s role in helping Energise Africa access players that are not traditionally active in the crowdfunding space and allow them to open new markets to deliver impact. Ashford noted, “Solutions like Energise Africa potentially are limitless in their growth and highly replicable around the world.”

Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) laid out their path to building a sustainable future for villages in India and ushering an energy transformation. This energy efficiency model starts with small solar installations in rural areas with accompanying battery storage units that can store energy for multiple purposes in the community. By bundling these into a power purchase agreement and offering it to a utility, the model becomes a sustainable one that could benefit millions in the country. He added that P4G not only gave models like his credibility but with its powerful global network could disseminate learnings that would allow developing countries to leapfrog into an energy transition.

Sharing the momentum created by Chile’s energy sector, Max Correa Achurra, Head of the Fuels and New Energies Division at the Ministry of Energy spoke about Chile’s ambitious commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. He detailed the country’s vision of being one of the top three exporters of green hydrogen. Private sector investment plays a key role in achieving these goals and Correa shared how in a novel move, Chile allocated $50 million to support green hydrogen projects with around 40 projects already in the pipeline. He spoke about P4G’s network strength and ability to connect Chile with potential project developers to scale Chile’s energy transformation.

Nipper echoed the importance of green hydrogen for decarbonizing harder to abate sectors. In addition, he shared the need for policies to secure long-term investment so these innovations could become competitive products. He underscored the value of P4G in sharing best practices and forging partnerships between public and private entities to advances these innovations.

Dominic Waughray, Managing Director, World Economic Forum shared closing remarks and underscored the potential for P4G to link the examples heard at the session and transmit them from south to north.

“Partnership isn’t just one way traffic. There are two ways to this,” he said succinctly.

Waughray offered the influential political and private network of the World Economic Forum as a partner of P4G to scale these solutions. He closed the session with a sense of optimism from the innovative solutions taking shape across Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

Watch the full session recording here.