United Kingdom Establishes New Committee for Investing in Developing Economies
In a significant move to accelerate the energy transition in emerging markets and developing economies, the UK has announced the creation of the Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDE) Investor Taskforce. The initiative, led by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) and backed by 15 financial sector institutions, aims to bridge the $1.8 trillion annual financing gap for climate solutions in these regions.
Henrdrik du Toit, the founder and CEO of Ninety One, has highlighted the growing momentum for the energy transition in these markets, stating that real risks are often overstated compared to historical outcomes. Du Toit emphasized the need for a significant increase in private equity, private debt, project finance, and corporate capital in these markets to ensure a just and effective energy transition.
The UK's Minister of State for International Development, Baroness Chapman, underlined the importance of securing UK private finance for climate and development projects in these countries, which are expected to contribute 65% of global economic growth by 2035. The task force is part of the UK's strategy to strengthen its economic ties with these emerging markets.
The EMDE Investor Taskforce includes prominent members such as Aviva Investors, Phoenix Group, Legal & General, HSBC, Lloyds, Private Infrastructure Development Group, S&P Global Ratings, and Ninety One, among others. Asset owners are also part of the initiative, with the Church of England Pensions Board, Nest, and People's Pension having signed up.
The task force will work towards catalyzing long-term climate capital flows into developing economies across Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa. By identifying potential barriers and sharing learnings from progress at the industry level, the task force aims to advance climate resilience and adaptation efforts.
Stephanie Pfeifer, CEO of IIGCC, expressed pride in serving as the secretariat for the taskforce, as the work aligns with IIGCC's ambition to support investment in climate, transition, and sustainable opportunities across emerging markets. The objectives of such initiatives include climate resilience, sustainable development, and global cooperation.
By engaging with financial stakeholders, the EMDE Investor Taskforce aims to create a more resilient economy by aligning investment strategies with climate goals. The task force will hold its inaugural meeting at the London Stock Exchange on October 21, 2025, with registration now open. This industry-led initiative is a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient future for emerging markets and developing economies.
- Given the increasing momentum in the energy transition, particularly in developing economies, Hendrik du Toit, the CEO of Ninety One, stressed the necessity of increased private equity, private debt, project finance, and corporate capital, highlighting environmental-science and climate-change as key areas of focus.
- As part of the UK's strategy to strengthen its economic ties with emerging markets, the Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDE) Investor Taskforce, led by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), aims to secure UK finance for climate and development projects, recognizing that these regions will contribute 65% of global economic growth by 2035.
- Recognizing the importance of long-term climate capital flows into developing economies, the EMDE Investor Taskforce, which includes members such as Ninety One, Aviva Investors, and the Church of England Pensions Board, aims to advance climate resilience and adaptation efforts across Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa by identifying potential barriers and sharing learnings from industry progress.
