Building Pathways to a Clean Energy Transition
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On the 8th of May, the NAB hosted its second breakfast inspiration workshop on Building Pathways to a Clean Energy Transition. This session brought together experts in the field to speak about the importance of impact investing in the energy transition, not only to limit harm but to do more good.
Our speakers for this session included Jeroen van Rumund and Myrthe van Dalen (Invest NL), Jeoren van Westen (Pensioenfonds PME), Luz Martinez (ILX) and Jags Walia (Van Lanschot Kempen).​
The opportunities for impact investing in energy transition are growing, and they range from investing for the transition to reduce harmful emissions and support the solutions of tomorrow. As our lives become more and more reliant on energy, from consumer electronics to long-range electric transport, it becomes vital to build clean pathways for energy production and utilisation.
Amongst our speakers, Invest NL mapped the innovative models needed for the energy transition, and their financing, through a design thinking approach with their ‘financing roundtables’. Representing the institutional perspective, Pensioenfonds PME highlighted the role of engagement with investees to move from the exclusion of fossil fuels towards a definite transition while considering the potential of nuclear energy. Providing a landscape perspective of the emerging markets, ILX was quick to point out the urgency of investing in EMs to reach the global net-zero goal. The abundance of renewable energy remains untapped in such markets, but ensuring a just transition should not be forgotten.
Even with plenty of opportunities, the path is not always simple. Our final presenter, Van Lanschot Kempen, presented the risks from the current backlash on sustainability and ESG from the global political stage, but more importantly, the risk of greenwashing. With a simple 3-step approach (read below) and their keen persistence in adding value enables them to avoid these risks.
Key takeaways:
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While the opportunities are growing, the risk & returns are never in balance. A well-pursued analysis of the market to identify current breakthroughs and making them investable by mitigating risk factors with innovative as well as blended financing where suitable is crucial to avoid missing the train of opportunity.
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Invaluable opportunities exist not only in electric transportation but also in energy storage. Additionally, the discussions of nuclear power are gaining traction and could open another pathway for a clean transition.
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To unlock institutional capital for the energy transition, both proven credibility (trackrecord) and government support in early stages are crucial—stable policies and financial incentives must strengthen public-private partnerships in this shifting investment landscape. By identifying the sectors, companies, and financial instruments where low-carbon adoption most impacts valuation, risk, and returns, we can ensure profitability drives sustainability.
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Capital must flow where it's needed most. Emerging markets have enormous untapped renewable resources but remain underfunded. Opportunities exist that outweigh the risks in the long term.
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A simple 3-step approach of ensuring the credibility, willingness and commitment at the investee level through constructive engagement is a sure way to minimise the risks of greenwashing, making kinetic engagement with investees necessary.
The energy transition is laden with opportunities for investors to drive meaningful change. Impact investing when grounded in innovation, credibility and long-term vision can unlock sustainable growth and living, especially in underserved regions like emerging markets. By aligning capital with climate goals, we can move beyond harm mitigation towards building real solutions for people and planet. Building these pathways may not be simple, but they remain within reach. ​
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We extend our gratitude to our audience and to the speakers for their contributions and insights shared during this workshop.
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You can access the speakers' presentations here.
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