Alexander Shapiro

📣 Our monthly newsletter has landed! 🗞 💯 A bumper month of events past, events ahead and generally what 3Ci (Cities Commission for Climate Investment) has been up to. Read here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ex84GPey #newsletter #3Ci #GreenFinance #Sustainability #NetZero

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Thank you to Barclays for hosting us alongside a great team of panellists to address the unique challenges climate tech start-ups face. As Agnes Czako, our CEO, highlighted, sectors like construction, responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, are resistant to innovation and require significant regulatory approvals and capital to scale. We know the importance of tangible products alongside software to combat climate change. The funding gap, often called the "missing middle," needs bridging with support from investors and government initiatives. To truly transition to a low-carbon economy, we need comprehensive backing to help companies like ours scale and compete. Thank you for spotlighting this vital issue and supporting the climate tech ecosystem. Read more insights from the event in this article by Rob Langston from Environmental Finance, who joined us on the day to cover the results of the roundtable discussion. https://lnkd.in/eyGx6Zxz #ClimateTech #SustainableFuture #Innovation #GreenEconomy #AirExTechnologies #Barclays #ClimateChange #BuiltEnvironment

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The road to net zero requires significant investment in sustainable infrastructure. Current projections show we need to more than double our efforts, reaching over £70 billion in investment per year over the next decade. But the benefits extend far beyond environmental responsibility. This investment could not only fuel the green transition; it can also create a more equitable society by fostering regional job growth, reducing inequality and unlocking regional potential. Professional investors can download our white paper to explore the opportunities presented by sustainable infrastructure investment.

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How green is your bank? This #EarthDay Bank.Green released a first-of-its-kind climate performance ranking of 103 of the most popular banks and building societies in the UK and found many are still funding fossil fuels at an alarming rate. 🚫 31% of banks rated either provide significant financial support to the fossil fuel industry, or there is strong evidence to suspect they do. Which means your money could be funding the climate crisis! 😡 16 banks provided no disclosure of whether they lend to fossil fuel companies (and consequently received poor ratings) Visit this link to read the full findings: https://lnkd.in/eC9EYQ-Z #ClimateCrisis #DirtyBanks #BankGreen #EarthDay2024 #EarthDay #FossilFinance

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Lord Callanan, DESNZ minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, speaking today at The Investment Association Sustainabilty & Responsible Investment conference in London. In amongst an interesting discussion, a couple of nuggets for policy geeks (even if specific dates are still missing): - UK Taxonomy consultation will be out soon - Also planning to consult shortly on transition planning disclosures - Green jobs action plan and report from Solar Energy Taskforce also coming. #TheInvestmentAssociation Isha Gupta | Rosalind Fergusson

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Great summary as ever by Jamie Broderick of this important report commissioned by Better Society Capital . There are in fact two fundamental reasons why a future government absolutely should explore an outcomes-based approach. Firstly that this is a way of funding crucial complex services - with upfront capital from social investors - that otherwise probably couldn’t be funded. But secondly - and at least as importantly - organising public services around the actual outcomes citizens want and need is just a more effective way of delivering public services. It is better for citizens and staff as well as the taxpayer.

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In response to a parliamentary question inspired by UKSIF’s Energy Report, the government has confirmed there are 1,530 energy projects waiting for a grid connection. If we can fix the grid, we can drive huge volumes of private capital into the UK’s #netzero transition whilst creating thousands of jobs and helping to address #costofliving challenges. https://lnkd.in/egXCgW35

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👇 If introduced, Zonal Pricing would completely change the electricity pricing (and investment) landscape in the UK. Not on top of it? Check out our latest research below.

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Zopa Bank has made a significant move into the UK's £23 billion renewable energy market. Their new partnership with Octopus Energy will make the suite of buy now, pay later (BNPL) and retail finance products available to millions of customers across the country. Through this collaboration, Zopa will finance the purchase and installation of Octopus solar panels, allowing customers to spread the cost over up to 84 installments over seven years. This initiative not only supports the transition to renewable energy but also makes it more affordable for UK households. In addition to solar panels, the partnership will enable the financing of app-controlled EV chargers, installed by Octopus engineers to facilitate fast charging of electric vehicles. With over 53,600 public charge points available across the UK as of January 2024, and the government's ambitious target of 300,000 charge points by 2030, this collaboration is a timely contribution to the UK's green energy goals. Dave Farbrother, CEO of Zopa’s BNPL and retail finance division, emphasizes the importance of this partnership: “The energy security and prosperity of future generations depend on greening our economy, which requires large-scale investments. We are proud to be partnering with Octopus Energy to make the switch to energy sustainability more accessible for millions of UK consumers. With Zopa, Brits can cut their electricity costs by up to 90% by switching to solar and spread their upfront costs over 24 to 84 months. Together, we are extending the reach of green energy with financial solutions that put customers first and are fully regulated, offering peace of mind.”

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There’s still time for funders to join our Environmental Impact Investing Group (EIIG) – a free programme to help funders learn about environmental impact investing and how to get started. There’s plenty more live sessions to engage with and you’ll be able to easily catch up on previous sessions. Highlights in the coming months include our second and third Market Information Days, where you can learn from live investment opportunities. 🤔 Not sure if the EIIG’s for you? We know impact investing can still seem a little abstract or daunting to many and that’s why we turned to Shishir Malhotra, the Impact Investment Director at Treebeard Trust to help bring impact investing to life in our latest blog. Read now: https://lnkd.in/ekTm3_dr 🤝 Want to join? Membership is open to trusts, foundations and individuals with investable assets as well as EFN members. Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/e293Te2d #impact #impactinvesting #trusts #foundations #philanthropy

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National Grid Right issue for 7bn Speaking with some clients recently, there has been confusion and a very short window to respond with a decision. This article highlights some of the issues investors have relayed to me. It's important to look at your overall portfolio of invested wealth when making these decisions as everyone's capacity for loss and risk appetite will be very different. https://lnkd.in/eE-a9-6q The link to National Grid announcements is here: https://lnkd.in/eFh2mMmb

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🎉 Yadeam Receives SEIS and EIS Advance Assurance! 🚀 We are thrilled to announce that we have received advance assurance for both the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) from HMRC. What does this mean for investors? 💰 ✅ SEIS: Investors can receive to 50% tax relief on investments up to £100,000 per tax year. No capital gains tax (CGT) on profits earned from SEIS shares held for at least three years. Any SEIS investments are exempt from inheritance tax, provided they are held for at least two years. ✅ EIS: Investors can receive up to 30% tax relief on investments up to £1 million per tax year. No capital gains tax (CGT) on profits earned from EIS shares held for at least three years. Any EIS investments are exempt from inheritance tax, provided they are held for at least two years.

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📢 Access to Finance: Urgent changes needed to support SMEs The latest Commons Treasury Select Committee report paints a concerning picture for the UK's SMEs, which make up 99% of our private sector. With restricted access to funding, high interest rates, and upcoming Basel 3.1 regulations, these businesses are facing significant hurdles. Check out Greg Taylor's recent insight… https://lnkd.in/eNXraA6d Let's champion better access to finance for SMEs! #SMEs #EconomicGrowth #UKBusiness #SupportForSMEs #MHABrokerExcellence

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The Green Finance Institute is proud to have enabled the Octopus and Perenna collaboration, two organisations familiar with challenging the norm in the pursuit of market-leading innovation. Recognising the impact of energy costs on homeowners and reflecting this in borrowing amounts is a pioneering step forward for the mortgage industry. Collaboration and innovation – ensuring that changing customer needs are at the heart of product design – is the key to transitioning the UK housing stock towards net zero. Green Finance Institute Perenna Octopus Energy https://lnkd.in/eUNAV_ZV

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Increasingly pension schemes would like to reduce negative impacts arising from carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, poor governance and inequality, which affect their portfolios. We are here to help! The Impact Investing Principles for Pensions were designed by the Impact Investing Institute in partnership with Pensions for Purpose, and are a practical guide to impact investment; they dispel the myths, and give pension funds concrete steps to follow to reduce their climate-related risks. We are delighted to announce we are publishing our first case study on behalf of Wiltshire Pension Fund. Pensions for Purpose now manages the Supporters, Adopters and case studies, as well as gathering and reviewing annual evidence from investment consultants and fiduciary managers on their progress. Our case study series will showcase best practice and how far Adopters of the Principles have come on their impact journey. Wilshire’s Impact investment story so far: The fund aims for 30% of the portfolio to be sustainable/low-carbon by 2030. Currently, 5% of their portfolio is allocated to affordable housing and 7% to renewable infrastructure and climate solutions. We are hope other pension funds will grasp the nettle and follow Wiltshire’s lead by adopting the Principles for themselves. visit our Impacts Investing Principles page for more information; https://ow.ly/JOjB50RIehP #PrinciplesforPensions #ImpactInvestment #PensionsforPurpose https://ow.ly/uwIm50RIehR

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