🧭 Your C-suite source: Welcome to the BIG Risk Navigator!

Hey,

I am excited to announce the launch of the BIG Risk Navigator! And thank you – you’re reading the first edition ever. 

This newsletter is exclusively for C-level and board/executive audiences from:

🎯 large corporations,

🎯 public companies,

🎯 venture capital,

🎯 private equity businesses,

🎯 and tech startups with over $1MM in annual revenue.

I will share more about:

📖 business sustainability innovations, 

📖 case studies from me – Bhuva Shakti – your email inbox risk advisor, 

📖 expert insights from other business leaders,

📖 and the latest climate fintech industry news. 

Ready for my first edition? Read on…

• Independent Science Based Taxonomy (ISBT): A new tool categorizing sustainable economic activities, free for businesses and financial institutions

• KPMG's Clear on Climate Reporting Hub: Enhances corporate transparency in climate-related financial reporting

• 13books Capital's £121 Million Fund: Focuses on early-stage European fintech startups, supported by major investors

• BlackRock's $150 Billion Commitment: Allocated to decarbonization funds, balancing regulatory requirements

• Rockefeller's Zero Gap Fund: Mobilized over $1 billion for sustainable development goals, with significant global impact

• SHEIN's €250 Million Investment: Targets sustainability and entrepreneurship in the UK and EU, including a €200 million Circularity Fund

• Expert Insights on Climate Tech Investment: Analysis of trends and shifts in climate technology funding for 2024

• 4CRisk's AI-Powered Compliance Map: Transformed IT regulatory compliance for Guidewire, a leading insurance software provider

🎯 Independent Science Based Taxonomy: A New Tool for Sustainable Finance

The Independent Science Based Taxonomy (ISBT) now offers a clear way to categorize sustainable economic activities. 

This free tool is available to businesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders and ensures that economic activities are fully supported by climate and environmental science.  

Read more

🎯 KPMG introduces Clear on Climate Reporting Hub to enhance corporate transparency

Regulators, investors, and the public are giving more importance to financial reporting because of climate change. 

They are looking for openness in the way companies disclose information about climate-related matters, like their pledges to reach net-zero emissions.

KPMG –  one of the Big Four accounting organizations, along with Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and PwC – has responded by introducing the Clear on Climate Reporting Hub, which provides information and advice to assist businesses and their stakeholders in comprehending corporate reporting on climate transparency. 

Read more

🎯 13books Capital Secures £121 Million for FinTech Startups

London-based venture capital firm 13books Capital has successfully raised £121 million to invest in early-stage fintech companies.

The fund will primarily focus on supporting startups in the seed and Series A stages, with investment amounts ranging from £1 million to £7 million.

✅ Highlights

• Fund Size: £121 million

• Investment Stage: Seed to Series A

• Investment Focus: European fintech startups

• Investors: British Patient Capital, KfW Germany, Isomer Capital, and IPGL

“We believe European FinTech is entering a golden period, and we thank our LPs and founders for their trust and look forward to supporting the next generation of pioneering FinTech entrepreneurs.” said Michael McFadgen, partner at 13books Capital. 

Read more

🎯 BlackRock commits $150 billion to decarbonization funds

BlackRock, the biggest asset manager globally, has allocated $150 billion to funds that concentrate on evaluating how the energy transition affects investments, following the revision of its decarbonization investment guidelines.

✅ Highlights

• $150 billion earmarked for climate-focused funds.

• New guidelines affect both European and US funds.

• Balancing decarbonization with US states’ anti-ESG laws.

BlackRock's strategic decision demonstrates its commitment to managing global investment priorities, dealing with intricate regulatory environments, and tackling climate-related risks and opportunities. 

Read more

🎯 Rockefeller helped mobilize more than $1 billion to SDG fund

The Rockefeller Foundation’s Zero Gap Fund has mobilized over $1.04 billion across 12 strategies, fully committing its $30 million by 2023, and maturing two investments by early 2024.

✅ Highlights 

• $1.04B Mobilized: The Zero Gap Fund has attracted over $1.04 billion in private finance across 12 high-impact strategies.

• Catalytic Investments: 2023 saw the Fund fully commit $30 million with two new investments in climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.

• Global Impact: Investments have delivered essential services, reduced emissions, and supported vulnerable communities worldwide.

Launched in 2019 with the MacArthur Foundation, the fund invests patient, risk-tolerant, and flexible capital in promising financial strategies and mechanisms to boost private investment towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as promoting healthy lives, gender equality, and productive employment. 

Read more

🎯 SHEIN Launches €200 Million Circularity Fund in the UK and the EU and Commits to Investing €50 Million in Broader ESG Efforts

Shein, the ultra-fast-fashion leader, announced plans to invest €250 million ($271 million) in British and European designers and circularity initiatives in the next five years. 

This move aims to navigate regulatory scrutiny on "fast fashion" and garner support for a potential IPO in London.

✅ Highlights

• SHEIN invests €250M to boost sustainability and entrepreneurship in the UK and EU.

• €200M Circularity Fund to support start-ups in circular fashion solutions.

• Additional €50M to empower local designers and artisans through SHEIN’s marketplace.

The Fund will assist startups and businesses in Europe and the UK that are creating innovative technologies and solutions. 

It will form offtake agreements or other commercial partnerships with established start-ups that already have production capacity in textile-to-textile recycled materials or emerging preferred fibers.

Read more

2024: A Crossroads for Climate Tech Investment 

OPINION PIECE: Emet Zeitz, Head of Ecosystem for Net Zero Insights examines the shifts and trends shaping the future of climate technology funding.

Read more

✅ Highlights

• A Wave of Bankable Technologies Amidst Declining Deal Activity

• European Dominance in Venture Financing

• The Shift in Investment Strategies: Debt-backed Rounds and Equity Investor Caution

• Future Outlook: Navigating Uncertainties and Embracing Innovation

As we progress through 2024, the climate tech investment landscape is experiencing a major change. The most recent report from Net Zero Insights gives a thorough examination of this ever-changing market, highlighting important trends and strategic changes that are influencing the future of investments in sustainable technology.