SustainCERT is designed to reduce barriers and add value to impact certification to scale action toward climate security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The enterprise will provide user-centric and tech-driven impact assessment for a wide range of sustainability interventions, helping businesses and investors to quantify and report more accurately and efficiently on their social and environmental impact. SustainCERT has been launched by Gold Standard, a benchmark standard for climate and development interventions established in 2003 by WWF and other international NGOs.

The investment underpins BlueOrchard’s continuous commitment to contribute to the further professionalization and growth of the impact investing industry and to channel more funding towards the climate targets and the SDGs. In accordance with the “Gold Standard for the Global Goals” (GS4GG), a next-generation standard to quantify and certify impact toward climate security and the SDGs, SustainCert will certify the Sub-national Climate Fund Africa – an upcoming infrastructure fund initiated by BlueOrchard and R20 – Regions of Climate Action. Certification with the GS4GG will give BlueOrchard’s investors tangible proof and reassurance that the firm’s investments adhere to the highest standards in terms of environmental and social safeguards, stakeholder inclusivity and impact measurement.

“As a pioneer in impact investing BlueOrchard has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for almost 20 years. We are therefore excited to join SustainCert as an investor and partner as it provides much-needed solutions to increase the attractiveness and applicability of impact certification for large-scale investments,” said Patrick Scheurle, CEO of BlueOrchard.

“SustainCert will allow corporations and investors to measure, certify and report their contribution to the SDGs in an objective and reliable way. We are convinced that these services will play an important role in further accelerating the growth of environmental markets, results-based finance and sustainable infrastructure development,” said Peter A. Fanconi, BlueOrchard’s Chairman of the Board.

“We are delighted to welcome BlueOrchard as new shareholder. Their expertise in impact investing makes them an ideal partner for SustainCERT and will support the enterprise in becoming a leader in assurance for impact, from carbon markets to large-scale programmes like corporate supply chain interventions and impact investments,“ said Marion Verles, CEO of Gold Standard.

 

About BlueOrchard Finance Ltd

BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment manager. The firm is dedicated to fostering inclusive and climate-smart growth, while providing attractive returns for investors. BlueOrchard was founded in 2001, by initiative of the UN, as the world’s first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. Today, BlueOrchard provides investors around the world with premium investment solutions, including credit, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure. Being an expert in innovative blended finance mandates, the firm is a trusted partner of leading global development finance institutions. With a major global presence and offices on four continents, BlueOrchard has invested to date more than USD 5bn across 80 emerging and frontier markets, enabling tangible social and environmental impact. BlueOrchard is a licensed Swiss asset manager of collective investment schemes authorized by FINMA. Its Luxembourg entity, BlueOrchard Asset Management S.A., is a licensed UCITS management company as well as a licensed alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorized by CSSF. For additional information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com.

 

About SustainCERT

SustainCERT is a mission-driven company committed to mainstreaming credible impact certification through user-centric, tech-driven solutions. SustainCERT is the official certification body for Gold Standard for the Global Goals – a next-generation standard to quantify, certify and maximise impact toward climate security and sustainable development. With customised certification pathways for a wide range of sustainability interventions, businesses and investors can easily embed SustainCERT impact assessment and assurance into their initiatives, whether a supply chain improvement, a sustainable product, or a large scale impact investment. This helps more accurately and efficiently quantify and report on the social and environmental impacts for higher credibility and recognition. For further information please visit: www.sustain-cert.com

 

For further information, please contact:

Tahmina Theis
+41 22 596 47 69
tahmina.theis@blueorchard.com
www.blueorchard.com