Investing for a Climate-Resilient World: Introducing the IVCA Green Future Series

The climate crisis is accelerating at a faster pace than anticipated by global leaders. It also presents with a critical moment now for a collective climate action on providing solutions, while contributing to growth and ensuring inclusive development. India, in particular, has made a significant promise to cut its emissions to net zero by 2070, marking a pivotal milestone in the battle against climate change. In recent years, the role of private equity (PE) and impact investing in driving positive change has become increasingly crucial. Trillions of dollars are being directed towards renewable energy projects, grid infrastructure, energy storage solutions, and electric mobility. Moreover, a considerable portion of these investments has been allocated to the development of next-generation technologies that propel transition towards a low-carbon economy.

IVCA recognizes the significance of sustainable investment practices and thereby, introducing the 'IVCA Green Future Series' to address and widely advocate climate and sustainability issues. This monthly series will feature discussions on various topics, with the maiden edition focusing on 'Delivering Clean Air: Mitigating Air Pollution.' The conversations featured in this series hope to contribute towards creating awareness and pave the way for a climate-resilient world. The first phase of this series will host six webinars. Let’s see, what one can look forward to from this series.

Hear from esteemed Speakers and Industry experts: The inaugural session of the IVCA Green Future Series will witness the esteemed presence of Shri Jayant Sinha, Chairperson of the Standing Committee for Finance, Parliament of India, and BJP Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. His keynote address will shed light on the importance of mitigating air pollution and the role of finance and investment in driving sustainable solutions. Following this address, an engaging panel discussion will take place, featuring a diverse range of experts including investors, academicians, and start-up founders. Together, they will delve into strategies and innovations aimed at delivering clean air and combating air pollution.

5 Key Areas of Discussion on Climate Action to be featured in IVCA Green Future Series:

• Electric Mobility

The Indian automobile sector contributes > 7% of the country's GDP. With a population of 1.4Bn and growing, India is expected to have 300 million additional cars on the road by 2040 which will result in an increase in the oil consumption of four million barrels per day. This signifies that electrification of passenger transport is now an important priority. The e-mobility market in India is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 49% between 2021 and 2030 with India being on road to become the largest EV market with a total investment opportunity of more than US$ 200 billion over the next 8-10 years.

• Climate Data & Analytics

UNICEF’s 2021 report - ‘The Climate Crisis Is a Child Rights Crisis,’ ranks India 26th out of 163 ranked countries which implies that Indian children are among the most ‘at-risk’ to the impacts of climate change. On an average the Indian subcontinent has observed an increase of 0.7°C since 1900. Therefore, as the impact of climate change intensifies, the volume of data produced and managed by the emerging climate prediction start-ups will continue to grow and so will the stakes. Will be interesting to learn more on the predictive models and advanced data analytics start-ups in India are applying to mitigate the risk of climate change.

• Single-Use Plastic

According to government estimates, India generates approximately 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Single-use plastics widely affect both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Many start-ups and investors are trying to figure our innovative methods of doing away with single-use plastics, reduce waste and boost recycling rates by using bamboo and bamboo-based packaging products as alternatives. Will be good to learn more from such innovative use cases.

• Regenerative Agriculture

The situation in Indian agricultural farms is becoming increasingly critical, as approximately 29% of India's total land area has been degraded. This underscores the significant hurdle that India must overcome to fulfil its goal of attaining land degradation neutrality by 2030. This comes at a time when India is facing acute shortage and scarcity of fresh water sources in many states and union territories.

• Waste Recycling

Rapid urbanization and consumerism have called for the urgent requirement for waste processing and management in India. Backed by regulatory frameworks such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and fuelled by strong demand from both domestic and global companies’ stakeholders, innovative companies in India are poised to make substantial environmental and social progress while also driving economic growth.

As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the IVCA Green Future Series aims to inspire and drive investment in innovative solutions that can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Join us in this collective effort to create a climate-resilient world for generations to come. To register please click here . If you have any questions or require further information, please reach out to us at aakriti@ivca.in or sumeet@ivca.in .