An initiative founded by Generation Investment Management, led by Al Gore, has secured $175 million for investments in companies focused on restoring degraded land due to agriculture and deforestation.

The funding will back Generation's Just Climate strategy, with Microsoft Corp.'s Climate Innovation Fund and the California State Teachers' Retirement System participating as key investors. This brings Generation's assets under management to $1.8 billion, including a fund dedicated to reducing emissions in heavy industry.

According to Clara Barby, a senior partner at Just Climate, the transition to sustainable energy practices is gaining momentum. She highlights the significance of transitioning land use practices to combat climate change, emphasizing the potential for reducing emissions from unsustainable agricultural practices and deforestation.

Barby stresses the urgency of changing land management practices, paralleling the need to shift away from fossil fuels. Just Climate is exploring various investment opportunities in natural climate solutions, such as biological fertilizers, regenerative agriculture technologies, and waste-to-energy projects that contribute to ecosystem restoration and sustainable food production.

The firm's investment focus spans sectors like food value chains, ecosystem rehabilitation, waste management, and innovative technologies. By steering clear of conventional renewable energy investments, Just Climate aims to make impactful investments that promote sustainable land use and combat climate change effectively.