EBRD reveals possible agribusiness sustainable investment facility

The EBRD is considering launching a €50 million Agribusiness Sustainable Investment Facility to capture the commercial benefit of energy efficiency, environmental and social investments in the agribusiness sector. The Bank hopes to extend the positive experience it has gained in energy efficiency investing to a wider range of environmental and social issues, including small-scale renewable energy, health and safety improvements, implementation of sustainable farming and energy efficiency in the built environment. The Facility will enable client companies to implement investment programmes that reduce their input intensity and improve their environmental and social performance, leading to improved sustainability in the agribusiness sector. The Facility will be also supported by technical cooperation (TC) funding of approximately €1 million for technical, financial and legal due diligence. This technical cooperation has been sought to overcome current barriers to sustainable investments in the sector. The project will demonstrate the impact of efficient energy technologies and techniques in improving industrial productivity and competitiveness in the agribusiness sectors of the EBRD region. They will also demonstrate the commercial viability of investing in environmental and social sustainability. Rationalising companies’ input and emission intensity will contribute to emissions reduction in the sector. The Facility will generate sector-specific know-how in implementing sustainable investments. Once generated, this know-how could be replicated both locally and across borders. Approximately ten agribusiness enterprises legally incorporated in any of the Bank’s countries of operation are the target for this facility. Source; EBRD