Climate

In the face of successive crises, active investments in CEA farming could help address food security issues, but the sector still has a lot to prove.

The French integrated services provider was founded in 2014 and is poised to expand its offerings and geographic reach.

With natural assets still waiting to be correctly valued, ‘a huge arbitrage opportunity will exist for the investors that are willing to lean in,’ StepStone says.

‘You can see the capital interest is here’ for investing in nature-based solutions to reduce carbon emissions, said head of agriculture and natural assets Liz O’Leary.

Cell-cultured meat fundraising rose to $1.38bn in 2021, up from $60m in 2019, as Agronomics backs the tech to leave plant-based behind.

Xpansiv, which secured a $400m investment from Blackstone Energy Partners this year, will launch the platform in 2023.

KKR Global Impact director George Aitken said nature-based solutions are the ‘perfect assets’ for investors seeking arbitrage in combination with climate impact.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has committed A$30m to Wyuna’s first fund, alongside property firm the Goodman Group.

Senior director for climate venture capital and private equity Franck De Santis says the jury is still out on the best way to finance indoor farming, but the data center market could provide some guidance.

New Forests has made its first foray into Africa with the acquisition of Green Resources through its African Forestry Investment Platform.