The European Infrastructure Bank (EIB), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Singapore state investor Temasek have joined forces with LeapFrog Investments to back companies developing solutions with green benefits to consumers in emerging markets (EMs). Through the partnership, an initial US$500 million will be deployed to support the scaling green tools and technologies. Consumers in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa could contribute as much as 73% of global emissions by 2030 without “smart development solutions” to benefit the environment. “Directing capital to development projects with climate benefits in these markets is essential to curbing this trajectory while fostering long-term and sustainable economic growth,” the organisations stated. The transition of EMs and developing economies could well be put at risk by US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposed tariff policy, which is set to most acutely effect Southeast Asian nations. “The world’s four billion consumers in emerging markets constitute half of the global population – they have every right to advance but, without green tools and technologies, their total emissions will blow through the world’s carbon budget,” said Andy Kuper, CEO and Founder of LeapFrog Investments. “This is also where the greatest opportunities lie — investing to support a generational transition for the majority of global consumers and producers.”
