Row
In order to fight climate change and achieve the transformational objectives of the Paris agreement, innovative means of financing are required.
The German and French NDEs presented opportunities which sustainable and impact investment offers on the journey to tackle and prevent problems resulting from climate change.
Although there are multiple funds available around the world, the awareness and information on how to access them and where to get assistance is lacking. Using concrete examples, panelists presented how implementation of sustainable projects is possible and which criteria play an important role for the investors.
This is a unique opportunity for the private sector and project developers but also potential investors to contribute to climate action which CTCN and the Technology Mechanism is laying ground for.
Organization
The Implementing Office of the NDE Germany works on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). It serves as the first point of contact for all:
- enquiries from the CTCN and other NDEs about climate-related technologies from Germany, programmes run by the Federal Government, services or potential cooperation projects in the context of the Technology Mechanism;
- enquiries from Germany industry, business and research institutions on potential cooperation with developing countries;
- enquiries from companies and technology providers on possible financing opportunities.
The NDE Germany works with a wide range of private sector players in climate mitigation and adaptation, including associations, SMEs, research institutions, start-ups and industry. Successful technology solutions are presented on the website.
The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) acts as the National Designated Entity for France. ADEME is a public agency which is active in the implementation of public policy in the areas of the environment, energy and sustainable development. It is placed under the joint authority of the Ministry for an Ecological and Solidary Transition and the Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
As NDE for France, ADEME‘s main objective is to help answer the needs of non-Annex I NDE‘s and CTCN network members with French technical expertise and climate knowledge. To this end, ADEME relies on its partnerships with French public and private stakeholders, including its dedicated network: Club ADEME international. Club ADEME International gathers more than 150 innovative French cleantech companies active on the international markets of sustainable development.
Prsenters
Sonja Kotin-Förster is the Project Manager of the NDE Germany Implementing Office. In this position, she supports the transfer of German climate technologies to developing countries, connects stakeholders, provides information about the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism and is actively involved in international climate fora to accelerate progress towards the global climate goals. Additionally, Sonja has been consulting for governments and businesses on the design, implementation and evaluation of energy and climate policies as well as technologies at regional, national and international level for over six years.
Regina Karakina of the NDE Germany has been involved in climate technology transfer and consulting projects in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and Africa in the past two years. As a network coordinator within the NDE Germany Implementing Office, she has been facilitating the exchange between German technology providers and relevant stakeholders in target countries, potential investors and other intermediaries who help scale up climate-friendly solutions.
Frank Ackermann is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the SDG INVESTMENTS® platform. He is a seasoned finance professional with more than 38 years of experience in various managerial and specialist positions at international commercial and investment banks including ABN Amro, Commerzbank, Cantor Fitzgerald, Bank of Nova Scotia and Bankgesellschaft Berlin in Frankfurt and London. Frank is the initiator of innovative financial products for the growing sharing economy and impact investment sectors, leveraging on his longstanding expertise in structuring and sales of complex investment products for institutional investors.
Cécile Carlier is the director of I&P Conseil. With an experience of nearly 20 years in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Cécile is in full knowledge of economic development issues in African countries. She conducted a program of industrial cooperation between France and Africa for 12 years in the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office in France, working for SME’s development and bringing support to investors and entrepreneurs in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. From 2012 to 2016, she worked as an independent consultant for different organizations such as UNIDO, ADEME, COLEACP to set up SME development initiatives in Africa. Since 2016, she joined Investisseurs &Partenaires to develop the advisory service, aimed to reinforce entrepreneurship support and promote impact finance in Africa. She is particularly working on setting up training on Impact investment.