The European Investment Bank Group’s development arm, EIB Global, has committed €50 million to a reforestation fund managed by Ardian, a leading private investment firm. The equity investment will support reforestation, afforestation, and the restoration of wetlands and mangroves across the globe, with a particular focus on projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The fund aims to generate carbon credits while advancing climate goals, promoting biodiversity, and delivering local benefits such as income opportunities and infrastructure improvements.
EIB Global’s commitment positions the institution as a cornerstone investor in Ardian’s Nature-Based Solutions fund, which seeks to restore degraded forests and ecosystems. This partnership reinforces the European Union’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development while promoting the livelihoods of local communities. EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle emphasized that the investment addresses climate change, protects biodiversity, and improves local livelihoods, reflecting EIB Global’s commitment to mobilizing both public and private capital for environmental projects.
Ardian highlighted that the first €100 million round of commitments marks a milestone in scaling nature-based solutions. The fund targets the sequestration of 85 million tons of carbon while restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and supporting local communities. A portion of the fund’s capital will also be allocated to green projects in OECD countries, particularly in Europe. A distinctive feature of the fund is its focus on high-integrity carbon removal credits, which are sold primarily to companies seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Europe’s decarbonization efforts and growing demand for nature-based carbon offsets.
The initiative aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, promoting ecosystem and biodiversity restoration while supporting European policies on forests and deforestation-free products. Global Gateway embodies a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, member states, and development finance institutions to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments by 2027, addressing global investment disparities and fostering sustainable development.
EIB Global’s investment in the fund is part of its broader Climate Bank Roadmap, which aims to anchor financing for the green industrial revolution, energy security, and sustainable growth. Since 2020, the roadmap has prioritized climate action, adaptation finance, and simplified procedures to accelerate green investment worldwide. The EIB Group, which includes the European Investment Fund, has signed nearly €89 billion in financing for high-impact projects in 2024, supporting EU competitiveness, security, and environmental sustainability.
Ardian, managing or advising $192 billion in assets for over 1,860 clients globally, brings expertise in Private Equity, Real Assets, and Credit. The firm emphasizes responsible investment, ethical standards, and social impact, with 1,050 employees across 20 offices worldwide. Through this partnership, Ardian and EIB Global aim to scale nature-based solutions, promote biodiversity, and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities around the world.
