Green Finance Opportunities

How do we make decarbonising Britain’s homes a reality? Lloyds Banking Group alongside the Green Finance Institute and NatWest Group has published the ‘greenprint’ of how to apply property linked finance to the UK, so that we can scale the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures in our homes and buildings. The finance model allows homeowners to fund their upgrades with finance linked to the property rather than the individual. It means people only pay for the energy efficiency measures while living in their property, and when the house is sold, payments can be transferred to the next owner. Potential benefits include reduced bills for the property owner, and the creation of skilled jobs across the UK. We know that retrofitting is essential for meeting the UK’s net zero targets, and that we have some of the oldest and least efficient buildings in Europe. There are currently many hurdles – particularly in financing retrofitting on the scale necessary, and in incentivising landlords and homeowners to upgrade their properties. We need innovative financing solutions that will make retrofitting projects simpler and more accessible to consumers, and property linked finance is one measure we’re keen to explore. Read more about the research: https://lnkd.in/dqJkgKzh #GreenHomes #RetrofitFinance #Sustainability #ClimateAction Andrew Asaam Meryem Brassington

The UK has some of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe. As one of the largest funders of the UK housing sector, we at Lloyds Banking Group have a responsibility to help change this. One potential solution to this challenge is Property Linked Finance (PLF), an innovative financing solution that’s already been successfully launched in several countries around the world. Today, we’ve published the ‘greenprint’ for how PLF could be introduced to the UK in collaboration with the Green Finance Institute and NatWest Group. With PLF, homeowners and commercial property owners could finance 100% of their energy efficiency upgrades upfront, with finance linked to the property rather than the individual – so owners only invest until they sell their property or have paid off the measures and buyers benefit from the increased energy efficiency. As a new form of long-term finance, where the term can match the useful lifetime of the improvements, PLF addresses a gap in the UK market. In addition, PLF could also unlock: • Lower bills for homeowners through energy savings • Between £52-70 billion of investment in upgrading the UK’s inefficient building stock • The creation of skilled jobs across the UK PLF increases the range of financial solutions available to property owners. This time last year, we published a Housing Stocktake report, which found that while over half of homeowners would like to make their properties more efficient, few feel confident about how to get there. Retrofit options need to be more accessible, affordable and simple for our customers to implement – this is an exciting development that would empower them to do so. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/emCtWUJ2 #GreenHomes #RetrofitFinance #Sustainability #ClimateAction #NetZero

For years the story we told about clean energy in Africa was a story about technology — panels too costly, systems unproven. Then it was about the lack of capital. Now, solar is the cheapest power on earth, and no continent has more sun than Africa. So why does the same solar cost more to produce in the Sahel than in southern Spain when it's the same equipment but stronger sun? We have the technology, we have the capital. The gap is the cost of financing. Renewables are built almost entirely upfront and paid back over decades, which makes them acutely sensitive to borrowing costs. Price in sovereign, currency and offtaker risk, and a project doesn't stand a chance.  Rabah Arezki lays this out brilliantly in the FT: https://lnkd.in/gQTAXQpX More money alone won't close the gap. Better instruments will — guarantees, blended structures where public capital takes the first loss, revenue frameworks predictable enough to unlock patient debt. I keep noticing how many early-stage companies in Europe and the U.S. get major grants to get going, while that kind of money is rarest exactly where it's needed most. What's thrilling, from Acumen's experience, is that we're seeing a growing group of profitable, scalable companies reshape not just individual lives but entire ecosystems. My belief is that with the right capital at the right cost, Africa can show the world what it looks like to build a clean energy economy that's entirely off-grid — and entirely its own. That's a world worth building. The sun over the Sahel is the strongest on the planet. Our work is to make the capital behind it as patient and abundant as the light, and that's on all of us: DFIs, foundations, philanthropists, investors and operators alike.

One data point worth pausing on… According to the latest Sightline Climate (CTVC) analysis (https://lnkd.in/ezEChF5h), TDK Ventures was the most active corporate VC in climate tech in 2025 by deal count. In that context, being at the top of the list feels less like an accolade and more like a mirror held up to the market. At this point, the scale of what is happening in energy is no longer debatable. AI-driven power demand, grid modernization, electrification, and industrial transformation are converging fast. The need for clean, firm, and resilient energy is no longer cyclical or thematic. It’s structural. Against that backdrop, being highly active shouldn’t feel exceptional. It raises a different question: if this opportunity is so clear, who is choosing not to lean in, or not to stay the course? Most of the technologies that truly move the needle — grid infrastructure, long-duration storage, advanced materials, power electronics, and AI-enabling systems — do not fit neatly into short funding cycles or hype-driven timelines. They demand endurance paired with conviction. We see this firsthand across our 2025 investments and broader portfolio: - Grid-scale and long-duration storage with Peak Energy, including a $500M+ deployment agreement reshaping the economics of the grid - Advanced grid infrastructure and power electronics through Amperesand’s $80M raise for solid-state transformer technology - AI infrastructure at the physical layer, from photonics with Mixx Technologies Inc’ $33M Series A to inference compute with Groq’s $750M recent funding round (and $20B moment) - Electrification at scale, from industrial systems to mobility, including Ultraviolette Automotive’s electric motorcycles in India - Edge and systems intelligence, with EdgeCortix as our first investment in Japan, bringing AI closer to where energy and data meet - Data center and logistics infrastructure, from Nubis Communications’ acquisition by Ciena to Starship Technologies’ $50M Series C for autonomous delivery What is emerging across the ecosystem is a clear divide: 🔹 Plenty of capital is willing to show up early 🔹 Far less capital is willing to remain engaged when progress is nonlinear, engineering-heavy, and occasionally quiet At TDK Ventures, we invest with urgency because the transition demands action, but we approach the work with endurance, mindful that only patient capital has the chance to compound over time. Conviction without endurance fades. Endurance without conviction stalls. From that perspective, this moment is less about volume than about consistency: the responsibility to remain engaged in sectors that matter, even when they are capital-intensive, technically complex, or temporarily out of favor. The work continues. And so does the commitment.

An ESG Audit (Environmental, Social, and Governance Audit) is a comprehensive assessment of an organization’s performance and practices related to ESG factors. It evaluates how well a company integrates sustainable and ethical practices into its operations and ensures compliance with relevant standards, laws, and stakeholder expectations. Key Components of an ESG Audit 1. Environmental Criteria • Carbon emissions and footprint • Energy usage and efficiency • Waste management and recycling • Water conservation • Impact on biodiversity 2. Social Criteria • Labor practices and working conditions • Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives • Community engagement and social impact • Customer satisfaction and data protection • Health and safety standards 3. Governance Criteria • Board diversity and structure • Ethical business practices • Transparency in reporting • Anti-corruption measures • Executive compensation alignment with ESG goals Steps in Conducting an ESG Audit 1. Planning • Define the scope and objectives. • Identify relevant ESG frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD). • Assemble an audit team or engage external experts. 2. Data Collection • Gather internal policies, reports, and data on ESG performance. • Interview key stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and customers. 3. Analysis • Compare practices against benchmarks, industry standards, and regulations. • Identify risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. 4. Reporting • Prepare a detailed report summarizing findings. • Highlight strengths, weaknesses, and actionable recommendations. 5. Implementation • Develop an action plan to address deficiencies. • Monitor and continuously improve ESG performance. Why Conduct an ESG Audit? • Enhance corporate reputation and investor confidence. • Identify risks and ensure regulatory compliance. • Drive sustainability and long-term value creation. • Align business operations with global goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It’s a well-known reality—90% of families lose their wealth by the third generation. But this isn’t just about bad investments or economic downturns. Wealth fades when structure, vision, and alignment break down. Family Offices help ultra-high-net-worth families manage and preserve wealth across generations, but financial strategy alone isn’t enough. True wealth preservation requires governance, education, and investment decisions that align with a family’s long-term goals. For families, this often means integrating business ventures, philanthropy, investments, and legacy planning into a comprehensive strategy. But doing this effectively requires the right partners—fund managers, advisors, legal experts, and service providers—who understand the bigger picture. Where Family Offices Need More Support The 10 Pillars of Generational Wealth highlight key areas where Family Offices face challenges—and where expert guidance makes all the difference: 1️⃣ Governance – Clear leadership, decision-making structures, and succession plans prevent misalignment. 2️⃣ Structures – Strong legal and financial frameworks protect assets from risk and inefficiency. 3️⃣ Health – Financial wealth is meaningless without mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 4️⃣ Documentation – Verbal agreements fade. A family’s vision and strategy must be clearly recorded. 5️⃣ Vision – Wealth without purpose leads to disengagement. Families need a shared mission. 6️⃣ Advisors – No Family Office has every resource in-house. They depend on external experts for critical decisions. 7️⃣ Assets – Managing direct investments, real estate, and alternative assets requires specialized expertise. 8️⃣ Education – The next generation must be prepared to lead, not just inherit. 9️⃣ Sustainable Philanthropy – Families want their wealth to create lasting impact. 🔟 Communication – Transparency and trust prevent internal conflicts that erode wealth. 🔎 Why Alignment Matters Generational wealth isn’t just about growing assets—it’s about ensuring every decision and partnership supports the family’s long-term vision. For service providers, advisors, and investment professionals, the real question isn’t just: “How do I connect with Family Offices?” It’s: “How does my expertise align with what Family Offices truly need?” 💻 How Family Office List Helps Access is just as important as alignment. Family Office List helps subscribers connect with the right Family Offices, making it easier to engage with families seeking expertise in governance, investment strategy, legal structuring, and wealth preservation. The strongest partnerships happen when values, goals, and expertise align. If you’re looking to work with Family Offices, start by understanding where they need support—and how your services can help strengthen the 10 Pillars of Generational Wealth. 📸 Photo Credit: Danti - Digitising Generational Wealth ✨

✋ The World Bank Group released the report, "Financing Climate Adaptation and Nature-Based Infrastructure" 👉 This report assesses opportunities to increase private sector participation and financing for climate adaptation and nature-based infrastructure in Emerging and Developing Economies (EMDEs) 👉Highlights: 1️⃣ While substantial knowledge exists in relation to technical infrastructure solutions to address climate risks and nature loss, the collective understanding of viable models to catalyze private participation and investment remains nascent 2️⃣ Private sector participation and financing of adaptation and nature-based infrastructure are complicated by the inherently public nature of such infrastructure. 3️⃣ Despite these challenges, the study identified a number of promising case-study examples where private sector participation and financing of climate adaptation and nature-based infrastructure had occurred or was expected to occur. 4️⃣ Comparative review of these case studies showed, first, that all relied on one of four basic models for recovering costs during the operational life of the facility being financed - User pays, Government pays, Land value capture, Climate-related funding 5️⃣ The comparative review also identified four financing models that facilitated the upfront flow of capital into these climate adaptation and nature-based infrastructure projects - Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) with private finance, Capital markets finance, Own-source financing, Public finance, including donor grants 6️⃣ In addition to local circumstances and the creativity of project developers, the scope for cost recovery will also be a function of the wider enabling environment in which the project is being developed. 7️⃣ Therefore, while much can be achieved through innovative project-level solutions, the analysis also points to the importance of regulations, governance, capacity, and data.  8️⃣ In conclusion, a concerted effort is needed to address the financing gap and unlock the potential of private investment in climate adaptation and nature-based infrastructure. 👉 Read the full report for more insights

🌍 Over the last few months, one question has landed in my inbox again and again: “Do you have a reliable financial model for Solar + Battery projects?” It’s no surprise. As the world leans harder on renewables, battery storage is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s essential. But here’s the catch: good financial models are incredibly hard to find. Too often they’re either oversimplified spreadsheets that don’t reflect reality, or overly complex beasts locked behind hefty paywalls. Back in January, we at Renewables in Africa (RiA) organised a webinar on Financial Modelling for BESS. The response blew us away – and you can still watch it here if you missed it: Webinar Replay . Since then, requests for a model have kept coming. So we decided to act. 💡 👉 Working with some of our partners, we’ve developed a first practical, easy-to-use Solar BESS Financial Model (more will follow). It’s designed with project developers in mind: simple enough to navigate, yet detailed enough to capture CAPEX, OPEX, revenue stacking, debt service, and IRR/NPV calculations. Let me give you an example: Imagine you’re planning a 50 MW solar plant with a 30 MWh battery. By adjusting just a few inputs – solar yield, PPA price, and financing terms – the model instantly shows you three scenarios (Base, Low, High). You can immediately see how a drop in tariff or an increase in CAPEX impacts IRR and payback. No coding, no hours spent debugging formulas. Just clarity. 🔗 We’re making this tool available to the community here : http://bit.ly/4g0rIby (PS: There is a contribution though from you) 💬 I’d love to hear from you: If you’re working on Solar + BESS, what’s been your biggest challenge in modelling projects? Do you prefer simpler templates, or are you looking for advanced models with scenario stress-testing? Let’s spark a conversation. Your insights will help us make tools that genuinely empower Africa’s – and the world’s – clean energy transition. 🌞🔋

How should banks price the future? Imagine: You’re sitting across from your loan officer, discussing the interest rate on a new business loan. Behind the scenes, The bank isn’t just looking at your credit history; they’re running complex calculations to figure out how likely you are to repay. Now, What if those calculations included your company’s environmental and social practices? This isn’t science fiction it’s where the financial world is heading. Pricing loans and calculating profitability have always been about managing risk. Traditionally, factors like creditworthiness and collateral were the stars of the show. But now, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics are becoming part of the equation. Why? Because ESG risks are real risks. Think about it: A company ignoring environmental regulations could face hefty fines. A business with poor labor practices might experience higher turnover, impacting productivity. These risks affect a company’s ability to repay loans, and banks are starting to notice. Let’s break it down. When a lender sets a loan price, they look at two main factors: 1️⃣ Probability of default (PD): How likely is the borrower to miss payments? 2️⃣ Loss given default (LGD): If they do default, how much will the bank lose? ESG factors can influence both. A business heavily reliant on non-renewable resources might have a higher PD due to potential regulation changes. Meanwhile, a company with strong ESG practices might have more valuable collateral, lowering its LGD. Some banks are already incorporating these considerations into their models. For instance, According to a study by the European Central Bank, companies with poor ESG ratings faced a 20% higher risk of default during the pandemic compared to their peers. This isn’t just theory; it’s happening now. From my perspective, this shift is crucial. As someone deeply invested in sustainability and finance, I see ESG as more than a buzzword it’s a lens through which we can make smarter, more ethical financial decisions. By pricing loans with ESG in mind, banks not only protect themselves but also encourage businesses to operate more responsibly. The future of finance isn’t just about numbers; It’s about values. What do you think? Should ESG risks play a bigger role in loan pricing?

A new dataset shows financing costs that make or break renewable energy economics globally. Researchers compiled 1,429 cost-of-capital datapoints across 68 countries (2010-2022) for solar PV and wind projects. Capital costs dominate renewable economics—small rate increases disproportionately raise electricity costs compared to fossil fuels. Brazil's solar projects face 13.8% financing costs while Germany's enjoy 1.5%, making identical solar farms nearly uncompetitive in Brazil. Developing nations with strong renewable potential face prohibitive financing. India's solar projects require 9.1% returns, Kenya 9.2%, and South Africa 7.2%—all multiples of Germany's 1.5% or Denmark's 3.3%. These financing premiums can overwhelm natural resource advantages, stressing the need for international climate finance adjustment mechanisms. By Bjarne Steffen, Florian Egli, Anurag Gumber, Mak Dukan, and Paul Waidelich.