Climate & environment

The head of impact at SNIB discusses the motivations for setting up a development bank dedicated to directing capital to respond to Scotland’s economic, social and environmental challenges.

Rance Timber manages 14,000 hectares of pine plantations of which more than 40% is made up of protected indigenous forests, grasslands, riparian zones and other vegetation types to improve biodiversity and water quality.

The investment, underpinned by backing from West Yorkshire Pension Fund, will help Oyster Heaven provide environmental benefits by restoring lost oyster habitats.

The recent investment sees the fund managed by the Swiss impact investor surpass $410m at fourth close with the aim of reaching a final close of $500m by year’s end.

The funding is intended to bolster climate-positive lease financing for Turkey’s SME sector, the backbone of the country’s economy and provider of 70% of national employment.

The UK and Dutch governments, alongside IDB Invest, have contributed to the Responsible Commodities Facility, which will provide $60m in loans to soy farmers committed conserving their forest reserves in the Brazilian Cerrado.

EM sustainable bond issuance has fallen by double digits year-on-year in the first half of 2025, down 33%, according to S&P Global Ratings.

The facility, backed by European impact investors, will be used by QNB Leasing to provide finance for clean energy projects, micro and small companies and sustainable economic development.

The financing supports the construction of four solar parks with a total capacity of 329 megawatts by renewable energy developer Sunly.

The fund will focus on companies across sectors aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with over 90% of revenues expected to be SDG-aligned.