SFi November 2025 Newsletter
- annashuvalova2
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
In November, SFi continued to catalyse sustainable finance across key sectors, hosting a Webinar on Green Steel where leaders explored pathways to decarbonise one of the world’s most carbon‑intensive industries. At ASIFMA’s Sustainable Investing Launch, our CEO Katy Yung emphasised Asia’s growing momentum towards real impact through data and collaboration. Together, these dialogues reflect SFi’s mission to bridge capital, innovation, and partnerships for a more resilient, sustainable future.
As we draw closer to the end of a very productive 2025, we look forward to seeing you at our final impact events of the year, including our upcoming SFi Impact Access event, and our Holiday Drinks.
Forging a Sustainable Future: The Rise of Green Steel
In SFi’s recent webinar, we invited Sebastian Langendorf, Founder and CEO of Meranti Green Steel, and their investors to share their perspectives on the future of green steel.
The session explored the accelerating shift towards decarbonising the global steel industry, which currently accounts for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions. Overall, the discussion underscored that whilst full decarbonisation will take decades, the transition has clearly begun and is rapidly gaining strategic and financial traction worldwide. As one of the most emissions-intensive sectors, steelmaking has become a central focus for investors seeking large-scale climate impact.
Greener Ironmaking: The biggest emissions cuts come from rethinking how iron is made — swapping coal-fired blast furnaces for natural gas and hydrogen powered extraction. The result? Same steel quality, over 70% lower CO₂.
An Industry in Motion:Green steel is gaining momentum as regulations and carbon pricing tighten. The next challenge is scaling hydrogen and keeping costs competitive. Real market maturity will come later this decade as major projects move into production.
Investor Confidence:Investors see green steel as a major decarbonisation driver and a long-term growth opportunity — success will rely on strong teams, smart tech, solid policy, and strategic partnerships.
Driving Impact Through Collaboration – ASIFMA Panel Highlights
On 5 November, our CEO Katy Yung was honoured to speak on a panel at the launch of ASIFMA’s “Asian Asset Owner Pulse Survey on Sustainable Investing Hong Kong”. The discussion covered findings from both ASIFMA and SFi Impact Surveys, highlighting Asian markets’ resilience amidst global challenges, the critical need for high-quality data and transparency, and the transformative power of partnerships in turning intention into action.
Katy further shared: “Asia’s private capital is moving from cautious commitment to real impact – and collaboration is the bridge... Meaningful partnerships and credible data remain vital to drive scale and transparency, especially as global capital flows and policy attention shift towards Asia.”
Keeping the Tide of Change Flowing
We’re continuing to ride the wave of momentum towards a regenerative blue economyfollowing the 9th Ocean Innovators Platform, co‑hosted in Hong Kong by the Sustainable Finance Initiative and the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco. The gathering brought together ocean advocates, innovators, and investors to dive deep into ideas and partnerships shaping a more resilient, nature‑positive future for our oceans. Revisit the energy and inspiration in our event video.
To find out more about the trends and opportunities of the blue economy, as well as Hong Kong’s growing role as a hub for this sector, explore our feature article “The Missing Middle – Bridging Capital Gaps in Ocean Innovation”, published on our website.
Upcoming SFi Events
SFi events are open to members only, unless otherwise specified. If you are not yet a member and wish to gain access to these events, along with other benefits, reach out to us to find out more about joining the SFi community.
Berkeley Energy Commercial Industrial Solutions (BECIS), a Singapore-based distributed energy solutions provider, raised US$45 million in Growth funding from KLP Norfund Investments and Siemens Financial Services.
Tikehau Capital, a Paris, France‑based alternative asset manager, closed its Regenerative Agriculture Strategy fund at EUR€560 million, targeting sustainable food systems and soil health.
Australia-based start-up Uluuraises AUS$16 million Series A to replace plastics with seaweed-based alternatives.
Emerald Technology Ventures, a Zurich, Switzerland-based climate tech VC firm, announced a EUR€60 million first close for its Global Water Fund II, focusing on water technology innovations.
SOCAP 2025 unfolded amid political tension, with government cuts and immigration crackdowns underscoring urgent challenges for impact investors. Speakers called for bold action in positioning mission‑aligned capital to fill gaps left by US government retreat. Catalytic capital was also top of mind, highlighting persistent barriers to deploying risk‑tolerant funding despite growing commitments from major foundations.
The Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) and The ImPact published their latest report, "The Investors's Guide to Impact Wealth Management", clarifying key concepts and essential capabilities within impact-focused wealth management for wealth holders looking to integrate impact into their wealth structures and investment portfolios.
Convergence Blended Finance released its "State of Blended Finance 2025" report, highlighting some positive signs including an increase in deal sizes, and private capital outpacing DFIs in blended capital deployment. However, philanthropic investors continue to be under-represented, and the full effects of cuts in official development assistance are also yet to be reflected.
In the face of persistent capital gaps, Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3) and Harvey Koh have launched "Addressing Capital Gaps: A Guide to Strategic Deployment of Catalytic Capital", presenting a framework and pathways to implementation for catalytic capital investors.
Click the links below to register or find out more about upcoming events
** denotes events where SFi are speakers
24 November: Green Future Innovation Challenge (Shenzhen)
5 December: SFi Impact Access (Hong Kong)
16 December: SFi Holiday Drinks (Hong Kong)
26-27 January: Asian Financial Forum (Hong Kong)
For members, please add events@sustainablefinance.hk to your contacts and kindly indicate your attendance in the calendar invitation for SFi related events.
We invite Family Office Principals, Private Investors of an endowment or foundation, or NextGen Investors to reach out to us to find out more about the benefits of joining the Sustainable Finance Initiative community. Don't miss out on members' only opportunities, and contact us today!
Stay updated on these gatherings, as well as impact news, research and events we have highlighted for the SFi community in our full newsletter! Let's keep bringing purpose to capital!
