News in the spotlight: responsAbility Secures USD 460 Million for Asia Climate Tech Investments
responsAbility has closed its Asia Climate Fund with USD 460 million in commitments aiming at supporting climate technology initiatives across Asia. The fund, focused on climate-smart solutions in energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and the built environment, attracted capital from major global investors, including development finance institutions and private sector players.
Products and Services
Schneider Electric Unveils AI-Powered Tool for Enhanced Energy and Sustainability Insights
Schneider Electric has announced the launch of its enhanced digital platform, Resource Advisor Copilot, marking a new phase in AI-driven energy and sustainability solutions. Powered by Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, this conversational AI tool enables users to interact with their energy and sustainability data in a more intuitive way. Copilot aims to streamline resource management by delivering faster insights, improving efficiency, and increasing the scalability of programs. By integrating natural language processing, it allows enterprises to ask complex energy and sustainability questions and receive actionable responses directly within the platform. The updated Resource Advisor supports businesses in navigating regulatory complexities, advancing decarbonization goals, and aligning data strategies with ESG reporting requirements.
responsAbility Secures USD 460 Million for Asia Climate Tech Investments
responsAbility has closed its Asia Climate Fund with USD 460 million in commitments aiming at supporting climate technology initiatives across Asia. The fund, focused on climate-smart solutions in energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and the built environment, attracted capital from major global investors, including development finance institutions and private sector players. The initiative targets small and mid-sized companies contributing to the decarbonization and resilience goals of the region, aligning with the Paris Agreement and SDG objectives. responsAbility plans to deploy the funds through a combination of equity and structured instruments, supporting innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate climate adaptation. The firm highlights strong investor interest despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, reinforcing the demand for sustainable finance solutions in high-growth Asian markets.
AllianzGI Reaches USD 690 Million First Close on Emerging Markets Climate Fund
Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) announced the first close of its Allianz Credit Emerging Markets Climate Finance Fund (ACCEM) with commitments totaling USD 690 million, moving toward its USD 1 billion target. The fund aims to catalyze private capital in support of climate mitigation, adaptation, and environmental resilience in emerging and developing economies. Structured as a blended finance vehicle, ACCEM combines public and philanthropic capital with institutional investor contributions, including support from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through KfW on behalf of the German government. The strategy primarily invests in investment-grade credit opportunities, with a focus on green and sustainable bonds across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. AllianzGI, serving as the fund’s investment manager, integrates sustainability considerations throughout portfolio construction. The fund is part of the Global Green Bond Partnership and seeks to extend energy access, reduce emissions, and promote climate resilience across underserved markets.
Ananda Impact Ventures raises EUR 73m in first close of fifth impact fund
Munich‑based Ananda Impact Ventures has secured a EUR73 million first close for its fifth Core Impact Fund, marking a significant step in European impact‑oriented venture capital. The round is backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), NRW.BANK, Investcorp‑Tages, the Mercator Foundation, and more than 40 family offices, underscoring institutional and private‑capital appetite for early‑stage climate and social‑tech innovation. Founded in 2009 by Florian Erber and Johannes Weber, Ananda now manages EUR270 million across five funds and typically invests EUR 500,000 to EUR 10 million per company. The firm targets technology‑driven startups across Europe that address systemic challenges in climate, healthcare, biodiversity, and social inclusion, with portfolio companies such as NatureMetrics (biodiversity monitoring), Close Loop Medicine (personalized medicine), OroraTech (wildfire detection), and IESO Digital Health (online psychotherapy).
Mirova invests USD 19 million in solar-powered cold storage project in Kenya
Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has announced a USD 19 million investment in Cold Solutions Kiambu SEZ Limited, a company focused on developing sustainable cold chain infrastructure in Kenya. This funding, made through Mirova’s Gigaton Fund, will support the construction of a solar-powered cold storage and logistics facility within the Kiambu Special Economic Zone. The project aims to enhance agricultural value chains by reducing food loss and improving supply chain efficiency, while also integrating renewable energy technology to lower environmental impacts. The facility is expected to serve agribusinesses, retailers, and other stakeholders in the perishables sector, strengthening food security and economic resilience in East Africa. The investment aligns with Mirova’s strategy to back climate-focused infrastructure across emerging markets, with social and environmental impacts at the core of its mission. The project’s carbon-negative energy system and sustainable operations are projected to enable long-term resource efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
ESG Data and Analytics
SBTi Surpasses 10,000 Companies with Validated Climate Targets
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has hit a milestone of 10,000 companies with validated science-based climate targets, representing over 40% of global market capitalization across 90+ countries and most sectors. Japan leads with 2,000+ validations, followed by the UK, US, and China, with growth surging from 1,000 companies in 2021 to 10,000 by early 2026. These targets, validated by SBTi Services, align with net-zero pathways by 2050, driving corporate decarbonization amid rising climate risks and business opportunities. Leaders from Arsenal FC, Danone, Lenovo, McLaren Racing, and Oersted emphasize strategic benefits like resilience, innovation, and market positioning.
Net Zero Commitments
TD Bank Signs Major Carbon Removal Deal with Charm Industrial
TD Bank Group has agreed to purchase 44,000 tonnes of permanent carbon dioxide removal from Charm Industrial, marking one of the largest carbon removal deals in Canada. The agreement spans five years and involves bio-oil sequestration, a process where biomass is converted into a stable liquid and injected underground for long-term storage. Charm’s technology enables carbon dioxide to be removed and stored for thousands to millions of years. The initiative aligns with TD’s commitment to net-zero operations and contributes to the broader development of the carbon removal market in Canada. This marks Charm’s second major deal in the country, reinforcing growing corporate support for durable carbon removal solutions. The announcement builds on recent momentum in the sector, with companies increasingly turning to innovative methods to address residual and historical emissions. TD is sourcing these carbon credits through Frontier, an advance market commitment launched by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, and McKinsey to accelerate carbon dioxide removal technologies.
Leadership Announcements
Wolters Kluwer Names Maria Montenegro CEO of Corporate Performance and ESG Division
Wolters Kluwer has appointed Maria Montenegro as the new CEO of its Corporate Performance and; ESG division, effective January 1, 2026. Montenegro previously served as Vice President of Strategy and Innovation within the same division, positioning her as a key figure in driving future growth and product development. In her new role, she will focus on expanding the division’s financial performance, ESG, and smart compliance offerings. Based in the Netherlands, she will report directly to CEO Nancy McKinstry and join the company’s Executive Committee. The division offers strategic solutions through brands like CCH Tagetik and Enablon, supporting organizations in sustainability reporting, financial planning, and risk management. Montenegro’s promotion aligns with the company’s broader strategy to enhance technology-driven capabilities in ESG and performance management across global markets. Her leadership is expected to strengthen Wolters Kluwer’s position in delivering integrated solutions that meet evolving regulatory and corporate transparency demands.