Alternative investment manager AXA IM Alts announced a series of new commitments from development finance institutions for its Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy, bringing the total commitments for the nature-based projects-focused fund to over $560 million.
New development finance institutions backing the strategy include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), France-based Proparco, and Germany-based DEG.
Launched in late 2022, AXA IM Alts’ Natural Capital & Impact investments strategy focuses on the protection, restoration and sustainable management of natural capital, using a strategy combining project financing of natural capital activity as well as providing equity to companies that are facilitating development of the sector.
The strategy deploys capital into nature-based projects aiming to deliver tangible results through carbon or other greenhouse gas reduction and sequestration alongside the protection and preservation of biodiversity, with a focus on companies and projects that address the drivers of deforestation, restore ecosystems in degraded areas and improve conservation efforts, quantified through the issuance of high-integrity carbon credits, and complemented with environmental and social co-benefits. AXA IM Alts added that the strategy also seeks to build capacity to provide carbon solutions to serve the growing demand for carbon offsets.
Jonathan Dean, Deputy Head of Natural Capital & Impact Private Equity at AXA IM Alts, said:
“It is a privilege to attract capital from development institutions of this calibre and scale into our Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy, and a testament to the team’s expertise in this area of the market. There is a shared goal amongst us to find and finance solutions that could leave a positive and lasting impact on the natural environment en masse, while protecting vulnerable areas and communities in emerging markets.”
Farid Fezoua, Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds at IFC, added:
“IFC is delighted to anchor AXA IM Alts’ strategy dedicated to emerging markets, focused on supporting nature-based projects such as tree planting and wetland restoration. This large, scalable investment platform has the potential to transform the carbon finance markets in emerging economies, where only a limited number of investors operate. We believe that it will extend financing to smaller companies, create quality jobs, especially in rural areas, and support emissions management.”
