EIT Climate-KIC launches the Investing for 1.5C initiative

EIT Climate-KIC launches the Investing for 1.5C initiative, adding further investment capital and momentum to the implementation of the European Green Deal.  

As the world experiences the hottest global mean temperatures ever recorded, the need for bold and transformative climate action is urgent. Investing for 1.5C is a new initiative, led by EIT Climate-KIC, that works with a select group of committed impact investment funds to support businesses that will not only generate transformative climate impact, but will form the building blocks of a new economy. This type of regenerative and circular economy is needed to limit climate change and begin to work on the overshoot challenge. 

We know that a just, climate-resilient, beautiful future is possible. But to get there we need to invest in it. We need to create and connect solutions in integrated ways, and we urgently need to mobilise funds and investors who wish to bring that future into being. We are in a race to limit warming below 2°C. That will only be possible through profoundly transformative innovations in business models and in economic models. We must be bold enough to challenge our own assumptions and ambitious enough to fundamentally transform whole places and ways of living through systems change.  

Investing for 1.5C is about making a clear statement that we’re ready to shift mindsets and behaviours not only to limit warming, but to create a world where we thrive. It says that we are willing and able to invest in entrepreneurs who are building the high-impact businesses of the future, reshaping demand for energy and materials. And that we are willing to work collaboratively with like-minded investors to integrate solutions and demonstrate new possibilities. 

Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of EIT Climate-KIC

UnaTerra Venture Capital Impact Fund  and Ship2B Ventures are founding partners in the Investing for 1.5C initiative. EIT Climate-KIC leads the initiative and provides the partner investment funds with strategic guidance, climate impact advice and portfolio-shaping support. At the same time, UnaTerra and Ship2B Ventures each bring a unique focus on a different aspect of the climate innovation journey by looking at a particular sector, geography, or stage of development. By working collaboratively with a shared vision for impact, the initiative aims to unlock new possibilities for the exchange of knowledge, insights, and learnings on how to enable catalytic and transformative innovation. 

At UnaTerra we want to scale solutions, at speed, that lift the world out of climate change and biodiversity loss.  This requires investing as a means, not an end, to go where markets have failed and impact has fallen short. Delivering both, a fair financial return, and more importantly, promote and scale prosperity for both people and the planet. This is why we are excited to partner with EIT Climate-KIC on Investing for 1.5C and we look forward to supporting businesses that genuinely impact climate and biodiversity through this unique partnership.

Luca Zerbini, CEO and Founding Partner of UnaTerra

Ship2B Ventures believes in backing bold entrepreneurs that chart their own course and generate lasting impact through scalable businesses. We are pleased to bring our experience in early-stage impact investing to this high-ambition collaboration.” 

Xavier Pont, Managing Partner of Ship2B Ventures

Investing for 1.5C includes the generation of a uniquely diverse pipeline of investment opportunities through the ClimAccelerator programme, unparalleled reach across the EU innovation landscape through place-based innovation programmes, and systemic impact guidance from the EIT Climate-KIC network.  

Importantly, these two investment funds join the EIT Climate-KIC community and provide further momentum to the implementation of the European Green Deal and Horizon Europe Innovation Missions.  At the same time, EIT Climate-KIC joins their ecosystems of selected partners for unique European impact investing.