The climate opportunity is larger than the internet revolution, the social media revolution, or indeed the industrial revolution, says Rohan MacMahon.
Climate VC Fund co-founder Rohan MacMahon argues for an emissions-lens on all investment in a new video made to support the Fund 2 of the Climate VC Fund.
“There are people who think that the environment and the economy are somehow in opposition to one another. And that’s certainly not the way we see it, he says in the video.
“The amount of emissions reduction is a signal for the success of the business and the impact of the business.
The challenge is convincing New Zealand investors to see the world through this lens.
“We have great innovators in this part of the world who are trying to do their best to drive the clean tech revolution. But when they go to the people who could finance that effort, often the cupboard’s a bit bare. So that’s the opportunity that we’re seeking to fill.”
“We’ve done that once with Climate Venture Capital Fund One and now we’re doing it again with Fund Two.”
“Climate change is the existential crisis of today, but equally the opportunity for tomorrow.”
Emily Mabin Sutton, Impact Committee member
Veto on impact
A unique feature of the Climate VC Fund is the veto right given to the Impact Committee if investments offer insufficient emissions reductions.
“We have scientists on one side who are looking for negative externalities. On the other hand, you have investors who are looking for the same in terms of companies to make sure that their dreams are actually achievable,” says Lance Wiggs, Partner in 2040 Ventures manager of the fund.
“And it’s a combination of the two, the church and the state if you will, which gives us this increased power of being able to identify only the best investments.”
Also in the video are Cleanery founders Ellie Brade and Mark Sorenson who say the fund has been on board with their mission from the start – championing everything they do.
“Climate VC is investing in products that are not only doing good for the planet, but are investable and scalable and profitable,” says Mark.
Emily Mabin Sutton, a new member of the Climate Impact Committee says the fund is poised on the edge of major change.
“Climate change is the existential crisis of today, but equally the opportunity for tomorrow.”