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Joint venture looks to invest billions in 'natural capital' projects to help combat climate change

(The Guardian, 26 Aug 2020) Founding partner says ‘investing in the resilience of nature is investing in the resilience of the economy’

A push to better recognise the economic value of “natural capital” – water systems, biodiversity, soil and carbon stores – has prompted the creation of what aims to be the world’s largest investment firm dedicated to projects that help the planet.

Multinational financial services giant HSBC and Pollination, a boutique climate advisory and investment firm, announced a joint venture that they predicted would meet a multi-billion dollar demand for environmentally friendly investment beyond renewable energy.

In a statement on Wednesday, they said the new body would back projects in areas including sustainable forestry, regenerative agriculture, water supply improvement, bio-fuels and “blue carbon” capture in oceans and coastal ecosystems.

Martijn Wilder, a Pollination founding partner and former chair of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, said the newly created HSBC Pollination Climate Asset Management would accelerate investment that could help combat climate change and build biodiversity while generating long-term returns for institutional investors.

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The Guardian, 26 Aug 2020: Joint venture looks to invest billions in 'natural capital' projects to help combat climate change