• Milestone reflects growing shift to implementation-focused finance solutions
• Even with its early-stage focus, the portfolio has attracted nearly USD 1.9 billion in private investment
• Lab-backed solutions are helping to scale resilience, energy transition, and adaptation finance in emerging economies

London, 19 May 2026 – Amid geopolitical headwinds and economic stress, the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (the Lab) portfolio has surpassed USD 5 billion mobilized for climate action across emerging markets. It includes more than USD 1.5 billion in investment from institutions within the Lab network and nearly USD 1.9 billion in private finance, representing commitments from more than 150 public and private investors.

“Investors and governments are looking for practical ways to deploy capital in emerging markets – the growth markets of the future – despite global insecurity and increasingly constrained public resources,” said Ben Broché, CPI’s US director. “The Lab’s portfolio shows that well-designed financial structures can help bridge that gap and mobilize private investment at scale.”

Since its launch, the Lab has supported the development of 87 climate finance solutions across emerging markets and developing economies. Of these, 55 have attracted financial support, reflecting a 63% mobilization rate.

“The Lab’s unique expertise lies in creating practical pathways to scale climate finance, and in showing how capital can move more effectively. We are excited to reach USD 5 billion and keep the momentum going, growing the pipeline of new vehicles each year and increasing investor engagement,” said Amanda Brasil, Global Lab Manager.

The Lab is an investor-led public-private initiative that provides technical assistance to design and develop early-stage climate finance vehicles. Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) serves as the Secretariat and analytical provider.

Through technical design support, investor engagement, and public-private collaboration, the Lab helps transform early-stage climate finance concepts into deployable investment vehicles. Its portfolio spans sectors including energy transition and access, sustainable agriculture & food systems, water, industry, and urban infrastructure and transport across emerging markets.

Breaking down the impact

Scaling private capital into underserved markets

The milestone reflects increasing demand for locally grounded, investment-ready financial solutions that can mobilize private capital, manage rising climate risks, and still deliver market-rate returns. Several Lab-backed vehicles demonstrate growing investor appetite for climate-focused investment opportunities in emerging markets.

Catalyst Fund pairs pre-seed capital with hands-on venture-building support for African climate-tech startups. The fund helps early-stage companies develop and scale solutions that strengthen climate resilience and accelerate low-carbon development across the continent, with backing from impact investors, philanthropic organizations, and development finance institutions.

Cooling as a Service supports efficient cooling solutions through a pay-per-service model that eliminates upfront costs for customers. The model incentivizes providers to deploy and maintain high-efficiency cooling equipment while expanding access to sustainable cold chains and cooling infrastructure, including decentralized cold rooms benefiting smallholder farmers in countries such as India, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

Lendable Decarbonization Fund provides sustainability-linked loans to small and medium enterprises implementing climate mitigation, sequestration, and adaptation solutions. The fund combines blended finance with technology-enabled credit assessment and impact monitoring, supporting sectors such as renewable energy, resilient agriculture, and sustainable mobility.

P-REC Aggregation Fund (PAF)supports solar and hydro mini-grid projects across 14 fragile countries in sub-Saharan Africa by originating, aggregating, and selling Peace Renewable Energy Certificates (P-RECs). The model channels financing toward renewable energy projects in underserved and conflict-affected regions while creating new revenue streams linked to verified clean energy generation.

Responsible Commodities Facility provides financial incentives for soy production on existing, cleared, and degraded lands in the Brazilian Cerrado, helping discourage further agricultural expansion into native ecosystems. The Facility brings together commercial banks, development finance institutions, and philanthropic actors to support more sustainable commodity supply chains and land-use practices.

About the Lab

Each year, the Lab, a public-private initiative, identifies, develops, and launches innovative financial vehicles that can drive billions of dollars in private investment into climate action and sustainable development. It brings together over 100 institutions from government, development finance, philanthropy, and the private sector to incubate promising ideas.

Bloomberg Philanthropies, the United Nations Development Programme, and the governments of Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom fund the Lab’s 2026 programs. Climate Policy Initiative serves as the Secretariat and analytical provider.

Media Contacts

Júlio Lubianco
Communications Manager
julio.lubianco@cpiglobal.org

Annie Woscoboinik
Communications Associate
Annie.Woscoboinik@cpiglobal.org

Daniela Alvarez
Communications Associate
Daniela.alvarez@cpiglobal.org