Through its work in sustainable energy markets (including energy efficiency and renewable energy), IFC has played a pioneering role in helping to remove barriers to, and mobilize private sector investment in, clean energy technologies and services in emerging markets. In addition to its core investment business, IFC works in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and a variety of donor countries, to push the envelope of commercially proven business models and technologies in order to catalyze the growth of sustainable energy markets.

The Sustainable Energy Team within IFC's Sustainability Business Innovator is a group of energy professionals with technical and market expertise in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The group supports IFC's investment business by pioneering new business models which leverage IFC's capacity to mobilize private sector investment in sustainable energy. In addition, the group leverages IFC's position in the market, and the strength of IFC's private sector clientele, in order to accelerate uptake of sustainable energy technologies.

Recent Highlights

Through its work in the sustainable water market, IFC aims to increase access to clean and safe water to the underserved in developing countries. IFC believes that to meet the Millennium Development Goal for safe water, creative deployment of financial and other resources of the private sector can significantly enhance safe-water access in emerging markets. Learn more in the following report:

Safe Water for All — Harnessing the Private Sector to Reach the Underserved
IFC has been working with leading academics/experts to identify innovative safe water technology solutions/business models serving base of the pyramid markets and the challenges they face in scaling up. This report is based on a survey conducted in four countries — Kenya, Uganda, India, and China — and includes several recommendations for IFC and its private sector partners on how to better support the nearly 900 million people around the world who lack adequate access to improved water sources. Download the report [PDF]

IFC and Climate Change - Unleashing the Power of the Private Sector to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change [PDF]