Press Release

The “2-infra challenge” project, which aims to provide investors and infrastructure managers with tools to address climate change challenges, now counts EIT Climate-KIC among its sponsors! EIT Climate-KIC is a European knowledge and innovation community dedicated to accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.  Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, EIT Climate-KIC identifies and supports innovations that enable society to mitigate and adapt to climate change. EIT Climate-KIC is convinced that a sustainable, low-carbon economy is not only necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change, but also presents a wealth of opportunities for businesses and society.

About 2infrachallengeTo achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, it is essential to redirect funding on a massive scale toward infrastructure that will enable the low-carbon transition.The infrastructure decisions made today are crucial on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that will result from their use over the decades following their construction. Furthermore, Infrastructure is highly vulnerable to the risks posed by climate change, including physical risks and transition risks, which could lead to a loss in their value. To align their investment strategy with a 2-degree pathway and to manage climate risks, infrastructure finance stakeholders need operational and shared tools. In this context, and drawing on its extensive experience, Carbone 4 has launched the “2-infra challenge” which will enable investors and infrastructure managers to answer two questions:

• Is my investment strategy aligned with the 2-degree goal, and how can I set it on the right path to achieve that goal?
• To what extent are my assets exposed to climate risks, particularly transition risks and physical risks?

This methodology, which will be multisectoral and multigeographic, can be used by all stakeholders involved in infrastructure investment and financing. Launched in October 2018 as part of Paris InfraWeek, the development of the methodology will continue through June 2019.

Our Sponsors

This project is supported by major infrastructure stakeholders: Agence Française de Développement (AFD), La Banque Postale Asset Management, Meridiam, and EIT Climate KIC.AFD Lou Bachelier-Degras Phone: +33(0)1 53 44 34 24 bachelierdegrasl@afd.fr

La Banque Postale Asset Management

Céline Guilbert-Bénard Phone: +33(0)1 57 24 21 07 Celine.guilbert-benard@labanquepostale-am.fr

Carbon 4 Alexia Soyeux Phone: +33 (0)1 76 21 10 00 alexia.soyeux (at) carbone4.com

EIT Climate KIC Catherine Ouvrard Phone: +33 (0) 7 62 20 29 15 catherine.ouvrard@climate-kic.org

Meridiam Armelle de Selancy Phone: +33 (0) 1 44 51 72 41 a.deselancy@meridiam.com

About the French Development Agency:As a public and socially responsible financial institution, AFD plays a central role in France’s development policy. It is committed to projects that tangibly improve the daily lives of people in France’s overseas territories as well as in developing and emerging countries, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the priorities of France’s foreign policy. With a presence in 109 countries through a network of 85 offices, AFD currently supports more than 3,500 development projects.www.afd.fr

About Banque Postale Asset Management:With assets under management totaling 220 billion euros as of June 30, 2018, La Banque Postale Asset Management (LBPAM) is the fifth-largest French asset management firm.A subsidiary owned 70% by La Banque Postale, 25% by Aegon AM, and 5% by Malakoff Médéric, LBPAM manages most of the funds offered to La Banque Postale’s retail and high-net-worth clients. For its institutional investor clients—including insurers, mutual insurance companies, large corporations, and external distributors—it offers a range of open-end funds, dedicated funds, and discretionary management services. As a full-service asset manager, LBPAM operates across all asset classes. A specialist in credit management and insurance solutions, its expertise is also recognized in the management of private debt funds in the infrastructure, real estate, and corporate sectors. http://www.labanquepostale-am.fr/

About Carbone 4 Led by Alain Grandjean, Jean-Marc Jancovici, and Laurent Morel, Carbone 4 is an independent consulting firm and a leader in climate strategy, energy transition, and climate change adaptation. Our team supports public and private sector stakeholders in the transition to a low-carbon economy that is resilient to climate change. www.carbone4.com

About EIT Climate KIC EIT Climate-KIC is a European knowledge and innovation community whose goal is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, EIT Climate-KIC identifies and supports innovations that enable society to mitigate and adapt to climate change. EIT Climate-KIC is convinced that a sustainable, low-carbon economy is not only necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change, but also presents a wealth of opportunities for businesses and society. www.climate-kic.org

About Meridiam:Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, based on the belief that aligning the interests of the public and private sectors could provide decisive solutions to the community’s collective needs. Meridiam is an independent company specializing in the development, financing, and management of public infrastructure projects on a long-term and sustainable basis. With offices in New York, Paris, Toronto, Luxembourg, Istanbul, Vienna, Addis Ababa, and Dakar, Meridiam currently manages €6.2 billion in assets, and more than 70 projects are in the development, construction, or operation phases. www.meridiam.com"Download the press release" align="center"