Mondelēz unveils new impact investing platform

Mondelēz International has announced the launch of Sustainable Futures, an impact investing platform to support ventures addressing key global issues.

The new platform gives the company the opportunity to pursue and incubate innovative projects, together with ‘like-minded’ investors.

Through Sustainable Futures, Mondelēz aims to co-invest in projects addressing climate change, as well as make seed investments in social ventures working to improve livelihoods and build healthier communities.

Sustainable Futures will seek to support projects that reduce carbon emissions, protect forests and increase resilience in the landscapes from which Mondelēz sources raw materials.

The first social ventures to receive support will include a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in India that will set up a women-owned social enterprise to up-cycle multi-layered plastic packaging into board.

In addition, Sustainable Futures will back a project in South Africa supporting agro-entrepreneurs in ‘climate-smart’ food production, along with INMED Aquaponics Social Enterprise.

“We don’t have all the answers, but we do know that alone, we can never achieve significant progress in the fight against systemic issues like climate change,” said Dirk Van de Put, chief executive and chairman of Mondelēz International.

“Sustainable Futures is our first foray into impact investing and gives us the opportunity to work with others in supporting environmental and social projects that can help drive meaningful, long-term change.”

Christine Montenegro McGrath, VP and chief of global impact and sustainability at Mondelēz International, added: “It’s only by testing and learning new approaches, and by seeking new forms of partnership with NGOs, governments and social entrepreneurs, that we can unleash the creativity we need to tackle some of the world’s most challenging issues.

“By offering seed investment and expertise through Sustainable Futures, Mondelēz International can help to create lasting solutions in areas like forest protection, carbon emissions reduction, and innovation in recycling.”