The Oxford Sustainable Finance Student Society (OSFSS), in collaboration with the Oxford Entrepreneurs Society, was thrilled to host the event "Investing in Climate Tech & the Path to Net Zero" on Tuesday, October 29, at Oxford's School of Geography and the Environment. The session brought together renowned investors and innovators who discussed climate tech’s transformative potential and the unique investment pathways needed to support a net-zero future.
Meet the Panelists: Leaders at the Intersection of Climate and Finance
We were honored to welcome a diverse panel of climate finance and tech leaders:
Mowale Ajose-Adeogun, Investor at Altree Kadzi Gender Climate Fund, who brings a unique lens to climate finance, focusing on the intersection of gender equity and climate action.
Binta Drave, Impact Investment Lead at M&G Plc, who spearheads the firm’s strategy to invest in scalable enterprises that deliver financial returns alongside measurable social and environmental impacts.
Dr. Bryan Ng, Founder of Repolywise, a company that has revolutionized polymer recycling through proprietary technology that increases the efficiency and quality of recycled plastics.
Philip Jackson, Head of Strategy and Execution at Carbonaires, where he oversees the development of cutting-edge carbon credit projects and partnerships across industries.
Why Climate Tech? Panelists’ Diverse Motivations
The motivations driving our panelists reflect both personal journeys and a shared commitment to climate action. Binta Drave spoke about the imperative to channel capital into underfunded regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, leading her to focus on impact investment to mobilize meaningful change. Mowale Ajose-Adeogun transitioned from listed equities to private markets at Altree Kadzi Gender Climate Fund, seeking the agility and direct impact possible in private investments. Philip Jackson shared his pivot from engineering to climate tech, which included launching an electric vehicle venture to fulfill a deep sense of purpose. Meanwhile, Dr. Bryan Ng explained that his background on the sell-side informed his innovative approach to polymer recycling, where he has found opportunities to tackle systemic issues in the industry.
The Critical Role of Private Capital
Each panelist underscored the importance of private investment as a catalyst in climate tech. Philip Jackson highlighted that in regions such as the Middle East, where government funding alone is insufficient, private investors are essential to bridge the financing gap. Binta Drave championed blended finance as a tool to attract diverse investors with varying risk appetites, particularly in emerging economies. Mowale Ajose-Adeogun added that private capital is uniquely positioned to scale climate solutions rapidly, accelerating the transition to net zero. Dr. Ng stressed that guidance behind capital is key—investors must strategically align their funds to ensure high-impact results.
Balancing Risk and Return in Climate Tech Investments
The discussion moved to the unique challenges and rewards of investing in early-stage climate tech. Binta Drave asserted that risk profiles in climate tech mirror those of other sectors, with a strong team and scalable model being fundamental. Mowale Ajose-Adeogun challenged the misconception that impact investing cannot yield returns, highlighting the importance of diversification in both geography and investment types. Philip Jackson spoke to the need for understanding client-specific risk appetites, while Dr. Ng noted that early-stage climate tech investments demand patience, with long-term perspectives often needed before profitability is realized.
Policy and Regulation: An Essential Backdrop for Investment
Policy changes are a linchpin in shaping the climate tech landscape. Philip Jackson called for integrity across the investment sector, likening the regulatory environment in climate tech to post-2008 banking reforms. Dr. Ng advocated for active investor engagement in policy discussions to help foster supportive regulations. The panelists also emphasized that partnerships between academia and business could lead to innovative regulatory solutions, stressing the need for balanced policy that enables, rather than stifles, climate tech growth.
Collaborative Approaches to Scaling Climate Solutions
Partnerships among startups, investors, governments, and NGOs emerged as a central theme. Binta Drave emphasized that successful climate tech investments require both capital and supportive policy, highlighting the critical role of NGOs in driving awareness about the climate crisis. Mowale Ajose-Adeogun pointed to effective collaborations with the World Bank and the EU as examples where public-private synergy has driven climate action. Dr. Ng noted that partnerships amplify impact, with cross-sector collaboration providing a more holistic approach to addressing complex climate challenges.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Tech Investing
During the Q&A session, the speakers identified significant barriers to success, including the movement of capital and the technology needed to enable informed decision-making. They also discussed the challenges of sourcing startups, noting that attending conferences and networking are essential strategies for identifying new startups for investment. The speakers acknowledged that the high costs associated with bringing products to market could hinder investment in materials, emphasizing the need for more funding at earlier stages to facilitate the transition from research to product.
As OSFSS continues to support sustainable finance initiatives, we are incredibly grateful for the perspectives shared by our speakers. This event underscored that the path to net zero is a collaborative journey, where finance, technology, and policy intersect. We look forward to more inspiring events and continued progress toward sustainability goals.
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