Impact Examples

Energy production is the source of 66% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.¹ Reducing these emissions and meaningfully addressing climate change depends on widespread adoption, by industry and consumers, of low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels.

• Increased energy efficiency has now saved more energy than the output from any other single fuel source. Efficiency gains could reduce energy demand by 50% by 2035.²
• The energy poor, or those without reliable, affordable energy, suffer from multiple social and economic disadvantages. Four million people/year die prematurely due to indoor air pollution from biomass combustion.³

• Reduced GHG and toxic emissions.
• Increased energy equity through expanded supply of renewable, affordable energy.

Financing centralized and distributed energy infrastructure in regions where availability varies or power sources are “dirty”.

Technologies across industries that increase energy efficiency; consumer-level technology that reduces energy consumption.

Human water consumption has increased at twice the rate of human population over the last 100 years, and global population is expected to increase by 3 billion by 2050.¹ Existing water resources are stressed, depleted or severely compromised in their ability to continue providing for humans’ and natural ecosystems’ most basic needs.

• Utilities lose 40% of clean water due to leaks globally.²
• Global water infrastructure requires $22T for repair and expansion by 2030.³
• Watershed protection and ecosystem restoration costs a fraction of human-made infrastructure for water quality restoration and nutrient cycling.⁴

• Increased water efficiency and re-use.
• Improved water access and distribution.
• Strengthen ecosystems’ natural ability to enhance land and water resources.

• Bonds for modernizing infrastructure.
• Bonds focusing on expanding reach of services to disadvantaged populations.
• Supranational bonds providing resources for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

• Technology solutions designed to increase water efficiency in agriculture and industrial applications.
• Water utilities in fast-growing urban areas globally.
• Water infrastructure services with a focus on water efficiency and water quality.

• Sustainable agriculture and horticulture, including organic production, drip irrigation and land restoration.
• Service providers and enterprises that are expanding access through private market mechanisms, in rural, peri-urban or urban communities globally.
• Development of mitigation banks; water rights.

Globally, the built environment emits 33% of all GHGs, and accounts for 40% of all energy use.¹ Worldwide, more than 330 million urban households live in substandard housing or are financially stretched by housing costs.²

Real Estate investing can simultaneously address both social and environmental challenges. The built environment has the most potential for delivering significant and cost-effective GHG emissions reductions.¹ Environmentally minded construction can help mitigate climate change and increase social equity through providing affordable, accessible housing to the world’s growing low- and middle-income populations.

• Enhance the built environment’s sustainability performance, specifically GHG emissions, materials use and waste.
• Increase social equity and accessibility in the built environment.

Bonds for energy efficiency retrofits.

Technologies or innovations that reduce demand for raw materials and energy consumption within buildings.

Sustainably-built workforce housing in global geographies where demand greatly exceeds supply.

Without specific investment to support global sustainable agriculture, increased food insecurity and further environmental deterioration related to water scarcity and climate change are inevitable.1

• Excessive fertilizer application is a major source of pollution for freshwater and coastal ecosystems.²
• Irrigation accounts for 70% of overall freshwater withdrawals and is often wasteful and inefficient.^{3, 4}
• 30-50% of global food supply is wasted across the supply chain.⁵

Target key agriculture themes that improve global food security, meet global nutritional needs and improve environmental sustainability, including:

• Improved nutrient management,
• Reduced water use intensity, and
• Reduced food waste.

Financing for organic or sustainably-oriented food production; and preservation of the use of agricultural land.

Technologies for precision agriculture and increased water-efficiency.

Infrastructure for efficient production, storage and distribution of food resources; preservation of use of agricultural land.