Promoting Sustainable Innovation

As a global development organization, IFC is in a unique position to develop innovative financial solutions, and to connect our clients with partners and investors.

IFC recently issued our first “Blue Loan” to Indorama Ventures Global Services, helping the company achieve its goal of recycling 50 billion plastic bottles a year by 2025, diverting plastic waste from landfills and oceans.
IFC’s TechEmerge program matches innovative solutions in sustainability to businesses worldwide that can help them achieve scale. In a recent round of matchmaking, TechEmerge helped innovative companies in the field of smart cooling partner with leading food and beverage corporations in Latin America.
We’ve invested in Apeel’s plant-derived-coating technology that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh twice as long and helps reduce food waste—a key greenhouse gas emitter.

Green Bonds

IFC was one of the earliest issuers of green bonds, launching a Green Bond Program in 2010 to help catalyze the market and unlock investment for private sector projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency. In addition, IFC plays a leadership role in developing guidelines and procedures for the green bond market as a member of the Green Bond Principles Executive Committee and the IFI Green Bonds Impact Reporting Harmonization Framework.

Blue Finance

IFC works with the private sector to encourage sustainable and efficient approaches to manufacturing and waste management while identifying solutions that increase energy efficiency, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and improve livelihoods. From producers to manufacturers and consumers, private sector players are required to help create a circular global economy as a sustainable and long-term solution.

Green Buildings

IFC helps financial institutions scale business in green mortgages and green construction finance by working with financiers, governments, developers, and building owners. IFC is also setting universal standards for green construction with EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), a software application and certification system for green buildings now used in nearly 140 countries.