India climate Inc. congregate to close the market trading activity at London Stock Exchange as part of the the India International Climate and Energy Transition Finance Forum.
CETFI India Alliance: Mobilising Institutional Capital for India's Climate and Energy Transition
The recent India International Climate and Energy Transition Finance Forum (IICF 2024), held at the London Stock Exchange (LSE), marked a significant milestone in global efforts to mobilise finance for climate action. More than half of the 30+ strong Indian delegation at this high-profile event joined forces to create the CETFI India Alliance, a pioneering initiative aimed at channelling institutional capital into India's climate and energy transition sectors.
A New Alliance for Climate Action
The CETFI India Alliance was born out of a shared vision to leverage international financial markets and mobilise large-scale capital for India’s urgent climate and energy transition needs. The Alliance's initial members represent key players from India’s climate, energy, and finance sectors, united in their goal to address the growing challenges of climate change while unlocking massive investment opportunities.
The primary objective of this Alliance is to create a feeder fund, which aims to list on the London Stock Exchange. This feeder fund is designed to act as a bridge between global institutional investors and India’s burgeoning climate and energy sectors, channelling large-scale capital into transformative projects across the country.
Target Sectors for Investment
India presents a broad and diverse array of opportunities for investment in climate-friendly sectors. The CETFI India Alliance will focus on driving capital into key areas such as:
- Renewable Energy – Expanding solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
- Green Hydrogen – Investing in the emerging field of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
- Biofuels and Biogas – Promoting the development of bio-based fuels as sustainable alternatives to traditional energy.
- Water Management – Addressing India’s critical water shortages through innovative technologies and sustainable practices.
- Waste Management – Building solutions for waste reduction, recycling, and energy generation from waste.
- Sustainable Agriculture – Supporting practices that increase agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact.
- Carbon Finance – Harnessing carbon markets to monetise efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Green Data Centres – Developing energy-efficient data infrastructure.
- Sustainable Transport – Transitioning to low-carbon and electric mobility solutions.
- Green Commodity Trading Platforms – Creating platforms that facilitate the trade of sustainably sourced commodities.
These sectors not only align with India’s climate and energy goals but also represent a collective investment opportunity exceeding USD 5 trillion. A major report outlining these opportunities in more detail is expected to be released soon.
Why Institutional Capital Matters
Institutional capital represents the largest and most stable pool of funding available for long-term investments. For countries like India, tapping into this capital is crucial for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. The feeder fund model offers an effective way for institutional investors—such as pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds—to invest in climate and energy projects without having to navigate the complexities of individual markets.
By creating a structure that connects global institutional capital with projects in India, the CETFI India Alliance is paving the way for sustained, large-scale investments in sectors that are key to both mitigating climate change and driving economic growth.
A Historic Moment at the London Stock Exchange
The IICF 2024 was more than just a forum for dialogue—it was a platform for action. The event culminated in a symbolic and highly anticipated market-closing ceremony on Thursday, 26th September 2024, where the entire Indian delegation, led by Mr. U.K. Sinha, Former Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), took part in closing the trading day at the London Stock Exchange.
Tom Attenborough, Head of International Primary Markets at LSE, along with Sanmit Ahuja, Director of CETFI, joined Mr. Sinha and the delegation for the ceremony, marking a significant step towards strengthening the financial partnership between India and the international community. During the event, Tom Attenborough presented Mr. Sinha and the delegation with a special memento to commemorate the partnership and the Forum's success.
As part of the ceremony, the delegation was invited to sign the LSE guest book, a historic tradition with entries dating back over a century. This gesture symbolised India’s growing presence in the global financial landscape and its commitment to leading the climate finance conversation.
A New Era for India and the Global South
The CETFI India Alliance and the initiatives announced at IICF 2024 represent the start of a bold new chapter in mobilising institutional finance for India’s climate and energy transition. The forum and the Alliance highlight the importance of leveraging global financial markets to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by both India and the Global South. As countries in this region continue to face disproportionate impacts from climate change, initiatives like these are critical in helping them access the necessary capital to drive sustainable development.
The event has set the stage for future collaborations between India, the London Stock Exchange, and international investors. By building on the momentum generated at IICF 2024, the CETFI India Alliance hopes to lead a global movement to create scalable, innovative financing solutions for climate action.
Join the CETFI India Alliance
As the CETFI India Alliance moves forward, it is actively seeking to expand its network of partners and collaborators. If you are working on climate and energy transition projects and are interested in raising institutional capital, now is the time to get involved.
The Alliance offers a unique opportunity for project developers, technology companies, and financial institutions to contribute to India’s climate goals while accessing new markets and investment opportunities. By coming together, we can drive the solutions needed to build a sustainable future for India and the Global South.
To learn more about how you can join the CETFI India Alliance and raise institutional capital for your initiatives anywhere in the global south, reach out to CETFI today or enrol on to the CETFI Register.