SIDBI Secures USD 120 Mn for First Green Climate Fund Project The Avaana Sustainability Fund Project is a step toward SIDBI's goal of using green and climate finance to significantly alter the world while promoting India's Nationally Determined Contributions.

By Paromita Gupta

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Freepik

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has announced the approval of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its first-ever green climate project, the Avaana Sustainability Fund (ASF), to invest USD 120 million in climate-focused firms.

The world's largest climate fund, GCF, with its headquarters in South Korea, contributed USD 24.5 million to the investment.

The principal objective of the ASF initiative is to provide capital to early-stage companies that are leveraging technology-driven innovation to promote climate solutions and sustainability in India. This includes mitigating the effects of climate change, adapting to them, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable sectors of the Indian economy.

The Green Climate Fund is mandated to help developing countries in raising and realising their NDC ambitions. Through the use of flexible funding options, climate investment expertise, and a partnership-driven approach, the GCF accelerates transformative climate action.

Using four primary methodologies, the fund's investment strategy focuses on four main transitions: the built environment; the energy industry; human security, livelihood, and wellbeing; and land use-forests and ecosystems.

Under the new project, SIDBI will liaise with key stakeholders and ministries, including the Department of Financial Services of the Ministry of Finance. With the capacity to anchor proposals from other entities and submit its own, SIDBI said it is committed to promoting and financing the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

SIDBI claims that it actively supports national action plans on climate change and champions responsible business practices, including sustainable financing and energy efficiency initiatives within the MSME sector.

SIDBI stated in a statement that with several additional projects in the pipeline, SIDBI is steadfast in its commitment to advancing India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), effecting substantial global change through its proficiency in green and climate finance.

Paromita Gupta

Entrepreneur Staff

Former Features Writer

Covered news and trends in AI and Metaverse segments. An avid book reader running her personal blog on the side. 
Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Branding

Creating a Brand: How To Build a Brand From Scratch

Every business needs good branding to succeed. Discover the basics and key tips to building a successful brand in this detailed guide.

Innovation

It's Time to Rethink Research and Development. Here's What Must Change.

R&D can't live in a lab anymore. Today's leaders fuse science, strategy, sustainability and people to turn discovery into real-world value.

Marketing

How to Better Manage Your Sales Process

Get your priorities in order, and watch sales roll in.

Business News

AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be '10 Times More Productive,' According to a Nvidia VP. Here's What They Are and How Much They Cost.

In a new interview with Entrepreneur, Nvidia's Vice President of AI Software, Kari Briski, explains how AI agents will "transform" the way we work — and sooner than you think.

Starting a Business

Passion-Driven vs. Purpose-Driven Businesses — What's the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

Passion and purpose are both powerful forces in entrepreneurship, but they are not the same.