The Greentech Investors Forum (GIF) had a new format for November 11’s meeting. Alfred students heard from four companies (and one Sector Expert) that are creating similar opportunities—raising and employing capital from smaller investors to combat climate change.
The International Energy Association has calculated that investments in clean energy of at least $1 trillion a year are needed to “prevent climate catastrophes”. In 2015, only $330 billion was invested globally and $52 billion in the US. Where will that additional money come from? The big players, eg pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, wealthy family offices and corporation must lead the way. But they can’t do it alone. It is urgent to develop ways to facilitate clean investments from everyone—even small investors.
Representatives from the following companies are developing investments for “the little guy”, and spoke that day:
- CoPower, which streamlines up-front financing for clean energy projects
- Carbon Capital Credit, which allows people and families to offset their footprints by investing in climate friendly changes in developing countries;
Representatives from the following startup companies will speak today:
- Carbon XPrint, which allows people to offset their carbon footprint ton-by-ton of CO2 with minimum or zero risk; and
- Climate-IT, a new crowd-funding equity platform for clean energy companies.
Hillary McMahon, Managing Director of Hazel, will also speak. Hillary has worked as Director of Intelligence at Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room, and previously as an expert and as a thought leader at the World Resources Institute, the UN, the European Commission and others.