The global law firm, DLA Piper, has partnered with Invest Africa, the leading trade and investment platform for African markets, to support the development of ESG best practice in African renewable energy projects.<\/p>\n
Clear Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets and measurements have become an increasingly important part of fundraising as investors seek to align their portfolios with sustainable growth. For a continent boasting ample natural resources, this presents a significant opportunity for Africa\u2019s green energy sector. However, renewable does not always equal sustainable and developing and articulating ESG metrics can pose a significant challenge to projects as they prepare investment rounds.<\/p>\n
The project will assemble experts from the worlds of impact investment, development finance and law. Across a series of online meetings, participants will discuss strategies to improve ESG practices in African renewable projects from both a fundraising and operational perspective.<\/p>\n
Amongst those speaking in the inaugural session on Thursday 13th<\/sup>\u00a0May are\u00a0Cathy Oxby<\/strong>, Chief Commercial Officer,\u00a0Africa Greenco<\/strong>,\u00a0Dr. Valeria Biurrun-Zaumm<\/strong>, Senior Investment Manager,\u00a0DEG<\/strong>,\u00a0Orli Arav<\/strong>, Managing Director – Facility For Energy Inclusion (FEI)\u00a0– Lion’s Head Global Partners<\/strong>,\u00a0Beatrice Nyabira<\/strong>, Partner,\u00a0DLA Piper Africa, Kenya (IKM Advocates)<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Natasha Luther-Jones<\/strong>, Partner, Global Co-Chair of Energy and Natural Resources, International Co-Head, Sustainability and ESG,\u00a0DLA Piper.<\/strong><\/p>\n Veronica Bolton-Smith, COO of Invest Africa said, \u201cAfrica is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change despite contributing very little to global emissions. As the price of renewables fall, they will form an ever more important part of Africa\u2019s electrification. In this context, it is essential that projects be given the tools to apply best practice in ESG not only from an environmental perspective but also in terms of good governance, fair working conditions and contribution to social inclusion. I look forward to working closely with DLA Piper on this important topic.\u201d<\/p>\n Natasha Luther-Jones, Global Co-Chair Energy and Natural Resources and International Co-Head Sustainability and ESG at DLA Piper also commented, \u201cClimate change is one of the biggest challenges companies, and people, face today and when we look at its reduction \u2013 whether that be in how we power our devices, what we eat or how we dress, where we live or how we work \u2013 all roads come back to the need to increase the amount of accessible, and affordable, clean energy. However, renewable energy companies are not automatically sustainable as sustainability is a focus on all ESG factors, not just environmental. We know the need for renewable energy is only going to continue to rise, and therefore so will the number and size of renewable energy companies. The additional challenge is to make sure they are truly sustainable organisations and that\u2019s what we\u2019re excited about discussing during the webinar.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"