AXA IM Alts expands its Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy with new commitments from development finance institutions
AXA IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments with over €188 billion of assets under management ($216 billion), announces it has closed fundraising commitments from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, Proparco, and DEG Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, the French and German development finance institutions, for its Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy (‘The Strategy’), now totalling over $560 million to date.
Building off AXA IM Alts’ long-standing expertise in land-based assets and impact investments, the Strategy seeks to continue deploying capital into nature-based projects and the associated ecosystem which seek to deliver tangible results through carbon or other greenhouse gas reduction and sequestration alongside the protection and preservation of biodiversity. It focuses on financing companies and projects looking to address the drivers of deforestation, restore ecosystems in degraded areas and improve conservation efforts, quantified through the issuance of high-integrity carbon credits, complemented with environmental and social co-benefits. The portfolio combines strategic equity investments, through stakes in companies supporting the natural capital ecosystem in local markets, the provision of carbon solutions, with direct project financing. The Strategy also seeks to build capacity to provide carbon solutions to serve the growing demand for carbon offsets.
The news comes from COP30 in Brazil, where a core objective is stewarding forests, oceans, and biodiversity, including specifically to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation, and efforts to conserve, protect and restore nature and ecosystems with solutions for climate, biodiversity.
These new fundraising commitments highlight the credibility that AXA IM Alts has earned in the market, and the ongoing opportunity for private-public partnerships to solve challenging climate related and biodiversity issues together, while adding further capacity for large scale investments projects.
Jonathan Dean, Deputy Head of Natural Capital & Impact Private Equity at AXA IM Alts, said: “It is a privilege to attract capital from development institutions of this calibre and scale into our Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy, and a testament to the team’s expertise in this area of the market. There is a shared goal amongst us to find and finance solutions that could leave a positive and lasting impact on the natural environment en masse, while protecting vulnerable areas and communities in emerging markets. We look forward to making further progress towards this goal alongside our investment partners and investee companies.”
Farid Fezoua, Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds at IFC, said: “IFC is delighted to anchor AXA IM Alts’ strategy dedicated to emerging markets, focused on supporting nature-based projects such as tree planting and wetland restoration. This large, scalable investment platform has the potential to transform the carbon finance markets in emerging economies, where only a limited number of investors operate. We believe that it will extend financing to smaller companies, create quality jobs, especially in rural areas, and support emissions management.”
Julien Vanhooydonck, Regional Director, Southern Cone, Proparco, said: "The world is facing an urgent dual challenge, climate change and biodiversity loss. We are proud to join forces with the AXA IM Alts team and to be partnering on this initiative with the EU Carbon Sinks programme to tackle the root causes of deforestation, restore vital ecosystems, and strengthen conservation efforts. Through the issuance of high-integrity carbon credits, this partnership will aim to deliver measurable climate impact alongside tangible environmental and social benefits. This initiative is fully in line with Proparco’s Natural Capital Strategy, designed to channel more investments towards the preservation and restoration of nature.”
Monika Beck, member of the Management Board of DEG, said: “DEG is committed to investing in impactful and climate-conscious projects, with biodiversity protection being a particular focus. We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with AXA IM Alts, an experienced impact manager. We both share the commitment to foster high development and climate impact. By providing long-term investment for the Natural Capital and Impact investments strategy, DEG will support nature-based projects which aim to lead to carbon or other greenhouse gas reduction and sequestration. These investments are well aligned with our commitment to sustainable development and climate action.”
The investment identified does not represent all of the investments purchased, sold, or recommended for the strategy. There is no guarantee that the investment we make were or will be profitable. Developments of the past offer no guarantee and are no indicator for any future returns or trends.
Capital at risk. The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested.
The strategy can be exposed to the following risks, among others: performance and market risk, sourcing risk, operational risk, capital risk, regulatory risk, valuation model risk, liquidity risk.
- END -
Notes to editors
All figures at end-June 2025.
AXA IM Alts has since 2013 created natural capital and impact investments strategies that seek to bring about positive social and environmental impact, while aiming to deliver competitive returns for investors.
It uses a proprietary impact measurement and management system across all aspects of the investment process, from initial assessment and due diligence, to monitoring and exit.
About AXA IM Alts
AXA IM Alts is a business unit of AXA Investment Managers, part of the BNP Paribas Group since 1st July 2025 following the closing of its acquisition.
AXA IM Alts is a global leader in alternative investments with over €188 billion of assets under management comprising over €80 billion of primarily private real estate, €96 billion of private debt and alternative credit, as well as over €12 billion in Infrastructure and private equity.
We take a 360° approach to real estate & infrastructure investing with over €126 billion of assets under management in direct opportunities, held indirectly through debt and listed equities and via long term private equity investments into operating platforms. ESG is fully integrated into our investment decision making processes with a particular focus on decarbonization.
AXA IM Alts employs over 990 people located in 17 offices around the world and serves the needs of over 600 clients from Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Middle East. We are the number one property portfolio and asset manager in Europe, and one of the largest worldwide.
All figures at end-June 2025
Highest-ranked Real Estate Manager in the European Union according to IPE’s Global Top 150 Real Estate Investment Managers, based on total value of real estate assets under management, November/December 2024
Visit our websites: https://alts.axa-im.com and www.axa-im.com
Visit our media centre: https://alts.axa-im.com/media-centre
Follow us on: LinkedIn
Disclaimer
This document is aimed solely at the media and is for information purposes only. The opinions expressed here are the views of the author and do not constitute investment advice. This is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or subscribe to financial instruments, an offer to sell investment funds or an offer of financial services. This press release is as dated. They do not necessarily represent the views of any company within the AXA Investment Managers Group and may be subject to change without notice. This does not constitute a Financial Promotion as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority. This is for information purposes only. No financial decisions should be made on the basis of the information provided. Past performance is not necessarily representative of future results: performance is not constant over time and the value of investments may fall as well as rise.
Not for Retail distribution: This press release is intended exclusively for Professional, Institutional or Wholesale Clients / Investors only, as defined by applicable local laws and regulation. Circulation must be restricted accordingly.
The value/returns are subject to fluctuations of the exchange rate that can impact their performance.
Information about the AXA IM Alts staff teams is only informative. We do not guarantee the fact that staff remain employed by AXA Investment Managers or its affiliates and exercise or continue to exercise in AXA IM Alts teams.
This press release should not be regarded as an offer, solicitation, invitation, or recommendation to subscribe for any investment service or product and is provided for information purposes only. No financial decisions should be made on the basis of information provided.
This press release does not constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers a solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
Due to its simplification, this document is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions, and other information in this document is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this document. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient.
The targeting of specific SDG does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of AXA Investment Managers, its products or services, or of its planned activities and does not constitute, explicitly or implicitly, a recommendation for an investment strategy.
Issued in the UK by AXA Investment Managers UK Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. Registered in England and Wales No: 01431068. Registered Office: 22 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4BQ
In other jurisdictions, this document is issued by AXA Investment Managers SA’s affiliates in those countries.