Ava Pearson, The University of California – Santa Barbara
Abstract
Climate change is a global issue driving increasing temperatures, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and accelerating environmental degradation. This global crisis demands a global solution, raising the question: how can countries participate in collaborative climate action that supports the global communities most vulnerable to the implications of climate change, encouraging lasting change and protection? The Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 is an international organization committed to investment in early-stage businesses with the mission of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their equity-driven business model focuses on supporting local infant industries to induce steady economic growth and create mutually beneficial business relationships between investors and sustainable entrepreneurs. The P4G model represents a new era of investing and international collaboration through which high and low-income countries can unite to support global environmental and climate protection goals.
Keywords: Sustainability, Climate change, P4G partnership, Entrepreneurship
I. Introduction of the P4G
The Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, or P4G partnerships, is a global initiative combining private and public collaborators to advance progress and inclusive growth in sustainability. By supporting early-stage businesses, preparing them for investment, and facilitating transitions to net-zero emissions, P4G’s partnerships focus on industry and business development in low- and middle-income countries. Their program provides grant funding and technical assistance to innovative partnerships centered around climate change mitigation and sustainability. Established in 2017 and headquartered in D.C., the P4G initiative demonstrates how equitable investment partnerships between nations can support climate change mitigation, encourage early-stage sustainable businesses, and increase economic growth. These partnerships represent a meaningful shift from historically ineffective aid models toward collaborative, equity-driven development strategies that support global cooperation in achieving net-zero emissions.
II. P4G Global Initiatives
Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 uses a public and private investment structure to support all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Through collaboration and innovation, P4G helps partner countries develop sustainable industries and attract early-stage investors. To become a part of the partnership structure, each proposed project must include at least one early-stage business and one non-profit organization. These collaborations focus on five key sectors: climate-smart agriculture, water resilience, renewable energy, circular economy, and sustainable and resilient cities. The P4G program provides grants averaging 350,000 U.S. dollars distributed over 18 to 24 months, combined with technical support to aid businesses in becoming investment-ready. Though many countries participate in this initiative, this organization is coordinated by the World Resources Institute in D.C. and the governments of the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Republic of Korea. This initiative collaborates with global organizations such as the Global Green Growth Institute, the International Finance Corporation, and the World Economic Forum. Since its creation, the P4G has supported over 100 unique partnerships in various sustainability sectors, reduced more than 10.8 million metric tons of CO2, and leveraged $100 million in commercial investments; facilitating change through public, private, and civil society partners to create scalable green growth solutions.
These accomplishments reflect P4G’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the commitments of the Paris Agreement. Each participating country has established a P4G National Platform- multi-stakeholder groups that include government officials, private sector actors, and donor embassies. Each national platform is created to match its respective country’s unique needs and initiatives. Their focus is on getting their local participating businesses investment-ready by developing jobs, supporting innovation, and increasing productivity. This cross-national system also creates reciprocal relationships between member states, each country supporting its partners. Climate change has already begun to impact low and middle-income nations much more severely than high-income nations. The poorest people in developing nations are heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors, and they feel the impacts of climate change more immediately and to a higher degree. The P4G partnership structure seeks to mitigate this imbalance with high-income nations supporting innovation in countries that lack the resources necessary to develop sustainable businesses across various industries. By shifting the focus from equality to equity, P4G encourages nations to support one another while creating opportunities for mutual benefit in capital accumulation. Supporting local sustainable innovation creates investment opportunities for high-income nations, which allows them to support other countries where they need it, strengthen new industries, and introduce sustainable practices.
III. Climate Smart Agriculture
While P4G follows a general framework for membership and participation, each financial investment/ program is tailored to the needs of specific projects. A significant focus of the P4G globally is climate-smart agriculture, which encourages cost-effective, sustainable agriculture practices and innovations in countries worldwide. This process of investment and parallel support gives developing countries with export-oriented economies opportunities to build robust industries with opportunities for growth and further development through sustainable avenues. Additionally, developed nations with well-rounded economies are typically heavily dependent on fossil fuels and nonrenewable resources. These investments from the P4G allow these countries to transition away from carbon dependency and progress toward more sustainable markets. The duality of this program encourages countries to honor their commitments to the Paris Agreement and other international climate agreements by supporting them in their carbon neutrality initiative.
Climate-smart agriculture looks different all over the world, taking various forms depending on local needs. In Ethiopia, a program called Agroforestry for People, Peace, and Prosperity has been implemented. This program is supported by the Republic of Korea and implemented in Korea. It also provides innovative solutions like solar-powered water purification systems and other farming practices in the coffee farming industry. Implementing these initiatives helps create new markets and improve farmers’ livelihoods within the industry. P4G has invested $95,000 in grant funding for this project. The partnership between Ethiopia and Korea has connected Ethiopian farmers with South Korea’s specialty coffee market, developing benefits for all stakeholders. This partnership seeks to improve the coffee production lifecycle through forest restoration, infrastructure growth, and training farmers. Throughout the 5 years of this initiative, the coffee industry has seen a 10-fold increase in production. This project intends to enhance resilience and security compared to traditional farming practices by generating double the income for small farmers and exporting sustainable products into the global market. Like many other developing nations, Ethiopia will suffer a great deal due to climate change.
This table indicates the financial burden of climate change imposed on Ethiopia. It suggests the cost of adaptation and, conversely, without adaptation. While adaptations require upfront investment, it is clear that innovation like this Agroforestry project will support the country through the painful implications of climate change. Another climate-smart agriculture program is AVALVE – Action on Poverty in Vietnam. This program, also supported by the Republic of Korea, is a program that introduces “smart farm” solutions to farmers, giving them the tools they need to grow high-value crops that are water and energy-efficient.
The P4G has provided $350,000 in grant funding toward this program. Smart farm techniques are particularly valuable to Vietnam, as around 44% of the population works in the agricultural sector, with approximately 89% of farmers in the nation being smallholder farmers. Many farmers use high volumes of fertilizers and water to yield large harvests. This overuse of resources and mineral saturation of soil is not a sustainable or affordable practice. AVALVE is a smart farm technology company founded in Korea that specializes in artificial intelligence solutions for sustainable agriculture. Using a hydroponic smart farming system, they use AI to monitor crops. This supervisory system reduces water usage by 90% and increases crop productivity by 300%.
The grant money provided through this partnership allows this startup to introduce its smart farm tools to small farmers in Northern Vietnam. After the introduction, they will train farmers to use these tools and cultivate high-value crops using this smart farm technology. These tools will help farmers decrease their water consumption and provide them with diagnostics and data on their farming practices. This information and the skills gained through this collaboration between farmers and investors create growth in the agricultural sector. By decreasing the water consumption of these farmers and teaching them more sustainable farming techniques, this P4G partnership decreases the footprint of this massive industry. In addition, these investments will create new profit opportunities for the Vietnamese government through agrotourism and community engagement. Through real-time data and agricultural diagnostics, stakeholders will be better able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the industry, allowing them to concentrate their efforts where paramount. AVALUE aims to continue to raise investments, hoping to reach $1 million and continue to expand into different regions globally. These AVALUE hydroponic smart farming tools are not the only way sustainable agriculture has been introduced globally; in the Republic of Colombia, new vertical farming techniques have begun to grow. The Urban Farmers Pro, Conexión Colombia, seeks to transform the industry by scaling fully automated vertical farming systems that increase crop yield by 220 per square meter when compared to traditional farming practices. For this project, the P4G has provided $329,000 in grant funding. This investment will support the Urban Farmers Pro, which is pioneering a VIOS Farm. The VIOS Farm project has created a fully automated vertical farming system within repurposed shipping containers. This system can produce over 16,000 plants monthly in 12 square meters. This development recreates the output of traditional farming using sustainable materials and decreasing inefficiencies.
Traditional farming consumes 70% of global freshwater, and in Colombia, agriculture accounts for 88% of national water use. Furthermore, various inefficiencies in farming contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and deforestation. These flaws of traditional agriculture indicate the need for innovations in farming practices, such as the VIOS Farm project. Throughout the funded period, this project will focus on expanding climate-smart urban farming while enhancing the digital tools used to optimize crop yields and supply chains. Through this, their members will continue advocating for regulatory structures protecting organic products and integrating urban farming into city planning. In addition to these initiatives, they will launch a “Training of Trainers” program supporting farmers and community leaders through their education on sustainable agriculture and nutrition. This program will strengthen their market positioning in sustainable food production, benefiting those within the program, and reviving training, and investors. Finally, they will focus on adopting Controlled Environment Agriculture in cities affected by climate change, further promoting systemic change in food production. Each of these global initiatives fosters real growth in the agricultural sector through the education and support of local farmers. By integrating new technologies and innovations into pre-existing dominant industries, these P4G partnerships support sustainable growth in traditionally wasteful industries that contribute to environmental degradation. These innovations and grant-based projects illuminate how investors can contribute to industries supporting their sustainable transition while simultaneously making their production more effective, thus contributing to the capital accumulation of all stakeholders.
IV. Zero Emissions Mobility
In addition to agriculture, P4G has invested heavily in zero-emissions mobility projects that are vital to countries’ progress toward carbon neutrality. The Accelerating E-Mobility Solutions for Social Change start-up in Kenya exemplifies this P4G focus. This project is focused on accelerating the adoption of e-mobility in rural Africa. With a $100,000 catalytic grant and various private sector partners, this initiative sought to prove the financial viability of e-mobility technologies. Through this partnership, leaders engaged with relevant groups to understand what was necessary to develop a strong regulatory framework for e-mobility. Engaging with local leaders helped this partnership develop practical and sustainable practices that citizens would adopt. Together with the Perspectives Climate group, this collaboration developed a feasibility study and a carbon crediting program. This project worked with private investors to explore opportunities for scaling the consumer side through asset financing. The collaboration is expected to expand in Kenya and East Africa through their e-mobility sector, promoting their goal of contributing to an improved environment and political context surrounding e-mobility solutions. This communication between local stakeholders and external investors emphasizes true, authentic support of local industry growth. As opposed to high-income nations introducing tools that were successful in their country, they meet individuals where they are, supporting their visions for sustainability in their community.
Another major project in the world of zero-emission mobility is rolling out in the public transportation sectors of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil. A project called ZEBRA introduces electric buses in cities across Latin America. This “scale-up” partnership distributed two rounds of funding in 2018 and 2020, totaling over $1,714,676. In collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation and C40, and with additional support from Centro de Movilidad Sostenible, Clean Energy Works, Global Green Growth Institute, and World Resources Institute, this project sought to increase global mobility by implementing electric vehicles. They pursued this goal by supporting cities in expanding zero-emission bus fleets. Across major cities from Santiago to Mexico City, e-buses were secured, and supporting legislation was passed. This action encouraged financial expansion into the public transportation sector, with fourteen international bus manufacturers and distributors devoted to making zero-emission vehicles available in Latin America. At COP26, investors committed to making over $1 billion available for zero-emission bus projects; consequently expanding the potential funding for projects in Latin America. This budget expansion increases access to financial mechanisms that support a continuation of these investable projects.
Additionally, resources such as E-Bus Radar, a public tool monitoring all of the e-buses in circulation in Latin America, illustrate the success of this technology in the region, further encouraging investment in the industry. A key feature of this initiative has been the effort devoted to mobilizing knowledge, with partners sharing tools and methods for successful bus electrification. Zebra partners have also worked to formulate case studies, market analytics, technical reports, and other useful material in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
The integration of zero-emission mobility is far from over. With ClimateWorks Foundation funding secured through 2025, the ZEBRA team is committed to pursuing additional funding and financial mechanisms within the industry to support the continued growth and development of the e-bus industry. With over 50% of the global population living in cities impacted daily by traffic and inefficient transit, this zero-emission transition will allow people to eliminate a huge portion of their carbon footprint while simplifying commute networks and reducing traffic congestion. Growing urban populations create challenges for mobility, leading to higher carbon emissions. This issue is being addressed uniquely in South Africa through the Zimi Charge system. The sustainability institute partnership prioritizes e-mobility transitions of fleets around the country. With a grant of $465,000, the P4G supports Zimi’s mission as it provides support, software, and infrastructure to stakeholders in the public mobility sphere. Through education and software support, this grant allows public transit companies to scale to more sustainable options. Their infrastructure also includes carbon tracking and monitoring tools supporting the continual growth and progression toward net-zero emissions. In South Africa, a predicted 25,000 electric vehicles will be on the road in 2025 on the path to overtaking the sale of combustion engine vehicles. This surge is driven by a combination of factors, including rising fuel costs, longer lifespans of electric vehicles, and falling prices. Zimi Charge is focused on constructing charge stations compatible with any electric vehicle and offering various customer pricing options. With a target clientele of fleets managing deliveries, Zimi seeks to provide last-mile logistics and technical support. Through their integrated solution, Zimi has a competitive advantage in the electric vehicle industry, saving 90% on fuel bills for fleets that switch to EVs. While electric vehicles reduce fuel costs, the large upfront costs are associated with the transition. Zimi provides infrastructure financing solutions to support companies through these costs. The grant funding awarded to this start-up supports their systems, allowing companies to transition to electricity with financial stability. In 2024, this partnership reached massive product and platform development milestones. Expanding their charging infrastructure, electric technology, and emissions tracking systems. Zimi is pioneering programs aligning with South Africa’s commitment to a just, sustainable transition, such as youth mentorship programs. This program, developed by Zimi and the Sustainability Institute, creates opportunities for youth to enter the energy sector. By investing in training and skill-building initiatives, the expansion of this sector fosters a more resilient and dynamic industry. This supports both individuals entering the field and generates broader employment opportunities. Each of these initiatives within the mobility space engages with local communities, supporting the growth of new economic sectors. Not only do these investments support the growth of preexisting businesses, but they also create new jobs and skill development opportunities. Additionally, traditional transportation companies are supported in their transition to electric fleets with various cost incentives and long-term savings. By creating opportunities, supporting green transitions, and encouraging industry growth, the P4G inspires mutual success between stakeholders across nations.
V. Conclusion
The Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals has pioneered a new way of enacting change in the sustainability industry through cross-national partnerships and industry investments. By investing in emerging economies and supporting the development of green infrastructure, these projects demonstrate the value of supporting entire business ecosystems. Introducing technology or distributing capital alone is not enough to create lasting change within developing nations. Systemic change is the only way to create new green industries and reduce national carbon footprints. Each project contains aspects of training, infrastructure, and market development introduced with technical innovation. The holistic approach to industry development allows nations to fold sustainable practices into their economy and profit from them. Though these projects are investment-based, this capital is invested to inspire technological innovation and support the training of a new generation of skilled workers. Each partnership dives deeply into the specific needs of their community, communicating with local leaders to create opportunities and services that will benefit them directly. By investing in early-stage companies that locals have made for their communities, they are supported authentically. Instead of imposing interventionist practices common in intergovernmental aid strategies, these investment structures support local innovators, who truly understand the needs and struggles of their community. The P4G partnerships use direct investment as a catalyst for innovation, prioritizing and elevating the voices of local leaders who promote sustainable development within their communities.The grant funding model plays a huge role in allowing small-scale climate solutions to expand and grow stronger.
Investments help eliminate the limitations of sustainable innovation and support the development of real-world possibilities. Many new businesses in low-income countries lack the capital to withstand the turmoil of a start-up business. This influx of capital at a critical moment in a business’s life cycle helps organizations grow exponentially, supporting continued innovation and expansion. P4G partnerships prioritize those most impacted by climate change. Operating through the lens of equity instead of equality, these investors understand a greater need for climate-centered support in low and middle-income countries. This bottom-up model illustrates how climate resilience can improve when solutions are community-driven and regionally specific. Through their unique strategies prioritizing the true needs of low and middle-income communities worldwide, P4G partnerships can support genuine change and create mutually beneficial systems between early-stage businesses and investors.
In conclusion, the P4G partnership model introduces a new age of sustainable development and how innovation is funded, structured, and executed worldwide. Instead of introducing top-down solutions, the P4G amplifies equity-focused partnerships focused on empowering local leadership, encouraging new business development, and aligning private and public investment with real-world needs. These partnerships represent a guide for climate action that is effective and just in a world divided. As the environmental impact of climate change increases and communities are increasingly impacted, models like the P4G provide strong examples of how international cooperation, mutual support, and authentic initiatives can create a truly scalable impact. This partnership structure demonstrates how countries can participate in collaborative climate action through direct investment to support the most vulnerable global communities. The future of climate action depends on continued international collaboration and genuine public-private partnerships that drive systemic change and the support of sustainable industries benefiting the people and planet.
The Global Affairs Journal 
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