Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investment, is to manage a €50m carbon dedicated investment for Orange, a leading French telecommunications operator.

The investment will focus on reforestation and other ecological efforts and forms part of Orange’s pledge to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2040. Returns will be in the form of high-quality carbon credits.

Anne-Laurence Roucher, deputy chief executive of Mirova, says: “We are proud to team up with Orange to mobilise more private finance towards nature-based solutions to climate change. Ambitious commitments of corporates, when well framed and designed, can become powerful contributors to a net zero economy.

The investment team will directly or indirectly invest in carbon sequestration projects around the world. These projects include afforestation, reforestation, and restoration of natural ecosystems such as mangroves or agroforestry projects. Particular attention will be paid to the economic and social development of the regions and populations affected by the projects, as well as the positive impacts on biodiversity.

The objective is to help bridge the financing gap by providing small-ticket seed funding to early-stage, high-impact greenfield and frontier deals, with a focus on environmental assets. “The investment will aim to break these projects out of the grant funding cycle, by providing capital, expertise and mentorship, allowing them to reach commercial viability,” says Roucher.

Impact outcomes will be measured through robust scientific testing of new standards such as the IUCN STAR tool and IUCN Global NBS Standard.

The Orange partnership is the latest corporate co-operation for Mirova. Last year, Mirova announced it would manage a €50m dedicated impact investment for L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics company. The L’Oréal investment is currently being deployed to finance damaged natural marine and forest ecosystems restoration projects.

Thomas Benoist, Head of Corporate Sales at Natixis Investment Managers: “This initiative illustrates the ability of our affiliate Mirova to support companies in all their ESG issues. This innovative investment is the result of several months of co-construction work with Orange and Mirova teams. We are delighted to support our client Orange over the long term on this major carbon issue.

For Further Reading:
Mirova
Mirova is an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers.
Portfolio management company - French Public Limited liability company
Regulated by AMF under n°GP 02-014
RCS Paris n°394 648 216
Registered Office: 59, Avenue Pierre Mendes France – 75013 – Paris.
www.mirova.com

Natixis Investment Managers
Natixis Investment Managers is a subsidiary of Natixis.
Portfolio management company - French Public Limited liability company
RCS Paris n°453 952 681
Registered Office: 43, Avenue Pierre Mendes France – 75013 – Paris.
www.im.natixis.com

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