Mizuho Bank inks US$20mn deal with nature advisory firm Pollination

Japanese bank Mizuho has made a US$20 million investment in Australian climate and nature advisory firm Pollination, in a move to better support its clients’ decarbonisation.

Mizuho’s investment gives it a minority stake in the company, which offers consulting services for financial institutions, corporates and governments working towards the climate transition, as well as a pipeline of climate and nature technologies and projects.

The partnership aims to support Mizuho and Pollination’s clients in hard-to-abate sectors implement ambitious nature and climate transition strategies – including by developing new approaches to transition and sustainable finance. Specific areas of focus will include TNFD readiness, natural capital and biodiversity strategies, and participation in carbon markets. 

‘Realising a nature-positive future’

“Clients face a wide range of issues and needs related to sustainability, and the pace of change is increasing,” commented Yasuhiko Ushikubo, Mizuho Financial Group’s Group Chief Sustainability Officer. 

“In order to support them, specialised knowledge on sustainability on a global basis is essential. Through this alliance with Pollination, a strong partner, we will support our clients in developing and implementing strategies to deal with these sophisticated problems, and contribute to resolving climate change issues and realising a nature-positive future not only in Asia but the rest of the world as well.”

Third strategic partnership with FIs for Pollination

The deal will help expand Pollination’s reach in Japan, South-East Asia, EMEA and Australia and accelerate its growth by supporting new investments in decarbonisation and nature projects.

The organisation already signed a similar strategic partnership with ANZ Bank in 2022, and launched a joint venture with HSBC Asset Management in 2020 called Climate Asset Management – which has raised more than US$1 billion for natural capital projects.

Tony O’Sullivan, Founder and Executive Chair of Pollination, said: “In light of the critical role of finance in unlocking climate and nature solutions, particularly across Asia, we are delighted to have established such a significant partnership.”

Financial institutions are increasingly investing in nature-based solutions as their climate strategies evolve to encompass biodiversity impacts: last  month, Aviva invested £40 million in nature restoration firm Nattergal – one of the largest nature finance deals in the private sector to date.