Sustainable development of emerging markets is crucial in order to ensure that the global temperature rise stays within a 2 degree limit, in line with the Paris Agreement. Investments in sustainable energy projects, such as low-carbon infrastructures, will thus be needed to reach the envisioned climate-smart future.
The recent conference "Innovative Business Models for a Sustainable Society - Insights from Latin America" brought the issue of sustainable energy development in Latin America, and growth markets in general, to the center stage. In order to meet the steadily increasing energy demand in Latin American countries, climate change is intended to be mitigated by wind and solar energy, energy efficiency and a switch to innovative substitute technologies.
Solutions on how to fuel the sustainable energy engagement in Latin America was brought by Patrick Horka, Cleantech Finance Specialist, South Pole Group, who held a keynote speech on the possibilities of low-risk funding of sustainable energy projects in growth markets. "South Pole Group's extensive expertise in investment advisory and management, makes us a prominent partner for European investors who seek to make investments with an attractive risk- and return profile - which is highly achievable in emerging markets by applying various de-risking measures."
Angélica Rotondaro, Director of the newly established St.Gallen Institute for Management in Latin America concluded the conference: "When companies and investors combine their economic objectives with the solution of societal problems, everyone profits ultimately.".
