Mapping Milestones on the Roadmap to Net Zero

Attendees had an opportunity to hear from Ian Learmonth, the CEO of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation about the leadership of the world’s largest “green bank” in helping Australia reach Net Zero by 2050 and efforts to encourage sustainable cross sector investments for a greener future.

Working closely with Australia’s private sector the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) recently surpassed $10 billion in lifetime investment commitments. They are leading the way with investments in hydrogen, recycling, energy storage and green infrastructure. 

While transforming Australia’s renewable energy, infrastructure, property and cleantech sectors, Australia’s “green bank” is also creating new investment models, including bonds, debt financing and equity, to tap into unmet demand for sustainable investment opportunities.

Ian Learmonth, the CEO of CEFC discussed the vision for a greener future, including opportunities in:

•           Achieving Net Zero in 2050;
•          The potential in sustainability-focused investments across the economy;
•          How specialist investment funds are complementing the portfolio mix; and
•          Transactional trends for investments across solar, storage, bio-energy and wind.
•          And much more ….

OUR GUEST SPEAKER:

Ian Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer, Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Ian has more than 30 years’ experience as a financier and investor, having worked in Australia, Asia and Europe across asset finance, clean energy and major infrastructure projects, as well as pioneering Australian social impact investing.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer for the CEFC, Mr Learmonth established the Social Ventures Australia Impact Investing business, which included raising venture capital and affordable housing funds as well as launching Australia’s first Social Impact Bond in 2013.

Previously an Executive Director of Macquarie Group for 12 years, Mr Learmonth has extensive global investment banking experience. Mr Learmonth established and led various Macquarie businesses, notably European renewable energy and carbon credit investments, cross-border asset and structured finance and securitisation in Asia and Europe.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the CEFC, Mr Learmonth has overseen the organisation’s growth, where cumulative investment commitments exceed $10 billion and have expanded into grid augmentation, large scale battery storage, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and recharging infrastructure.

Mr Learmonth has degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Queensland. He is a director of venture capital firm Virescent Ventures and has been a long-standing director of Sydney’s Belvoir St. theatre company.