We’ve got some exciting news to share: two major social and impact investors have stepped up to support our council green investments — a powerful vote of confidence in this innovative way to deliver for councils, investors and the climate.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Unity Trust Bank have committed to invest a combined £16 million in our council investments to help more local authorities deliver critical green projects.
This brings institutional scale to our grassroots model, which allows councils to raise money directly from individuals and organisations to fund local, tangible net-zero initiatives — from solar panels on schools to natural capital schemes — in a cost-effective way that complements their other sources of borrowing.
Unity Trust Bank commits £15 million
Unity Trust Bank is the first UK bank to invest in our council green investments, committing an initial £15 million to be co-invested alongside Abundance customers in current and upcoming offers.
Unity, a bank known for its social and environmental mission, sees municipal investing as a natural fit for its values and an opportunity to support scalable, localised solutions to the climate crisis. Its investment aims to show that investors can achieve positive impact while maintaining attractive risk-return profiles.
“Municipal investing provides the ideal platform for communities and organisations like Unity to work together and support local solutions to climate change.”
Joshua Meek, Chief Impact Officer, Unity Bank
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation provides £1 million in match funding
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, one of the UK’s largest independent impact investors, is providing £1 million in match funding to boost local investment through our platform.
For every pound invested by local residents in their council, Esmée Fairbairn will part-match it at a 50% rate, creating a powerful incentive to get involved.
The first £165,000 tranche is being deployed today in our three live investments from Bristol, Hackney, and Hammersmith & Fulham. These investments will fund practical green projects like energy upgrades for schools, greening community buildings and improving natural flood management through expanded green infrastructure.
“We are excited to be partnering on this initiative to help deliver the climate outcomes we care about. When it comes to the places we live in, we are proud to back people and organisations who are making their local communities more vibrant, confident and economically resilient.”
Gillian Dickson, Social Investment Manager, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation