Mission Innovation and the Private Finance Advisory Network (PFAN), are excited to host the Clean Energy Investment Forum, as a side event to MI-4 in Vancouver. Investors from around the world attending will learn first-hand about innovative clean energy projects in low- and middle-income countries.
The large-scale deployment of low carbon, climate resilient technologies required to curb climate change is greatly hindered by limited access to finance and a limited pipeline of investment-ready projects. This is the case particularly in developing countries, where clean energy technologies have the potential to provide affordable, reliable electricity in the areas that are unserved or underserved by national grids. Clean energy and climate technology projects in developing countries often have abundant potential but lack the knowledge and network to push them over the line to financial closure. PFAN aims to solve this problem by bridging the gap between investors and entrepreneurs. It provides guidance to promising projects in developing countries and, once they are bankable and investment-ready, introduces them to investors. It is one of the few actors addressing the barriers small and medium enterprises face in accessing climate finance in developing countries and emerging economies. So far, PFAN has leveraged US$1.4 billion worth of investment in projects that contribute towards global climate change goals.
The PFAN/MI Clean Energy Investment Forum will provide a unique opportunity for investors to meet promising entrepreneurs from around the world and learn first-hand about innovative clean energy projects in low- and middle-income countries.
This event will open with addresses from Frank Des Rosiers, Chair of Mission Innovation and Assistant Deputy Minister at Natural Resources Canada, and Philippe Scholtès, Managing Director of Programme Development and Technical Cooperation at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), followed by other inspirational guests.
During the Business Plan Competition, the most important part of the PFAN/MI Clean Energy Investment Forum, attending investors will learn about six specially selected innovative projects. These include the world’s first fully women-managed bio-refinery in Belize, a solar-powered water purification business in India, solar mini-grids in rural Nigeria, a Li-Fi lighting and internet company in Ivory Coast, a business offering an Internet of Things Toolkit in South East Asia, as well as an energy efficient radiant heat cooking business in India. The project developers will pitch directly to prospective investors. The pitches will be judged by high-level climate finance experts, including Winnie Odhiambo, Associate Partner at I-DEV International. The best pitch will win the PFAN Global Award.
The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) reported in 2018 that climate finance is the central issue that will determine the success or failure of the implementation of the Paris Agreement. At this Investment Forum, participants will be able to explore how they can make an impact and help push forward the global sustainable development agenda.
Anyone interested in attending is welcome to contact Ms Olga Rataj for more information, and to register their interest. We look forward to meeting you at this dynamic and exciting event.