BlackRock to Launch USD1.22bn Climate Infrastructure Fund in New Zealand

BlackRock to Launch USD1.22bn Climate Infrastructure Fund in New Zealand

by  
Seneca ESG  
- August 10, 2023

US multinational investor BlackRock [BLK:US] and New Zealand’s government have announced plans to establish a climate infrastructure fund valued at NZD2bn (USD1.22bn), as reported by Reuters on August 8. The primary goal of the initiative is to support New Zealand’s transition to becoming a 100% renewable energy-powered country by 2030. To achieve this ambitious objective, the fund will allocate investments to a range projects including solar, wind, green hydrogen, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Notably, this marks the first instance of BlackRock launching a country-specific fund focused on decarbonization. The firm has stated that this venture will broaden the financing avenues available to New Zealand businesses, thereby fostering the growth of climate-focused infrastructure throughout the country’s energy system.

While New Zealand already boasts an impressive 83% penetration rate of renewable energy, the transition to an entirely renewable electricity mix is projected to necessitate an investment of NZD42bn (USD26bn) in renewable power generation and distribution, and battery storage for grid reliability. Before collaborating with BlackRock on this initiative, the New Zealand government established the Government Investment in Decarbonizing Industry (GIDI) Fund to help New Zealand-based businesses reduce their emissions and maintain global competitiveness. This fund, established in 2020, has accumulated NZD650m (USD395m) in capital and has funded 67 projects aimed at reducing emissions as of May 2023.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/new-zealand-blackrock-launch-122-bln-climate-infrastructure-fund-2023-08-07/

https://technode.global/2023/08/08/blackrock-targets-1-21b-for-climate-infrastructure-strategy-to-support-new-zealands-net-zero-goals/

https://esgclarity.com/blackrock-launches-low-carbon-strategy-in-new-zealand/

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/government-announces-emissions-reduction-partnership-with-new-zealand-steel/

Start Using The Seneca ESG Toolkit Today

Monitor ESG performance in portfolios, create your own ESG frameworks, and make better informed business decisions.

Toolkit

Seneca ESG

Interested? Contact us now

In order to contact us please fill the form on the right or directly email us at the address below

sales@senecaesg.com

Singapore Office

7 Straits View, Marina One East Tower, #05-01, Singapore 018936

+65 6223 8888

Amsterdam Office

Gustav Mahlerplein 2 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1082 MA

(+31) 6 4817 3634

Taipei Office

77 Dunhua South Road, 7F Section 2, Da'an District Taipei City, Taiwan 106414

(+886) 02 2706 2108

Hanoi Office

Viet Tower 1, Thai Ha, Dong Da Hanoi, Vietnam 100000

(+84) 936 075 490

Lima Office

Av. Santo Toribio 143,

San Isidro, Lima, Peru, 15073

(+51) 951 722 377

Tokyo Office

1-4-20 Nishikicho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo 190-0022