The West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) has acquired a 25% stake in Rebalance Earth, a water-related nature restoration charity.
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Rebalance Earth works under Nature as a Service contracts, assessing water-related risks and examining where there is a risk of flooding and where habitat restoration can take place.
The VC investment is stated It is one of the largest seed capital investments the UK has seen in years, worth millions of pounds.
Rebalance Earth has also partnered with Plymouth City Council to manage flood risk from the River Plym.
In collaboration with habitat bank Ocean City Nature, Rebalance Earth will design and finance projects focused on restoring nature. Habitat banks ensure that the natural environment is protected and provide a net gain in biodiversity.
Councilor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, commented: “We are incredibly proud to be piloting Rebalance Earth’s innovative new fund here in Plymouth. Our plan has always been to seek external investment for Ocean City Nature and this partnership aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of building climate resilience and, most importantly, the quality of life of our residents by improving, maintaining and optimizing our to improve valued green and blue areas.
“By integrating natural systems into our city’s infrastructure planning, we see a precedent for how cities can use nature-based solutions to drive sustainable economic growth, improve public health and create a thriving environment for generations to come.”
Robert Gardner, CEO and co-founder of Rebalance Earth, said: “Plymouth City Council is leading the way in showing how we can come together to restore nature and tackle climate change head on. “Nature is our strongest ally and we must act as one rebuild essential infrastructure that protects our cities, communities and businesses from the growing threats of floods, droughts and environmental degradation.
“By recognizing nature as mission-critical infrastructure, we are shifting the paradigm and transforming natural systems into investable assets that protect our environment and generate long-term economic benefits. Plymouth will serve as a model that can be scaled up and replicated across the UK.”
Rebalance Earth was founded in 2020 with the goal of restoring the environment by converting capital into natural resources. The company invests in the UK’s climate infrastructure, building on natural capital and biodiversity resilience. Rebalance Earth is focused on tackling the UK’s nature crisis and aims to unlock £10 billion from asset owners to invest in nature infrastructure.
Robert Gardner, co-founder of Rebalance Earth, will speak at Sustainable Finance Live 2024 at Events@No6 in London on October 8th. Gardner will deliver a keynote address on the natural capital process from field to trade.
Find out more about the agenda and register for Sustainable Finance Live 2024 here.