INSIGHTS

The Caribbean’s turquoise waters, coral reefs and mangrove-fringed coasts are more than just idyllic scenery; they are the lifeblood of local economies and cultures. Healthy marine and coastal ecosystems provide billions in value each year, from fisheries and tourism to carbon storage. For example, marine tourism alone contributed an estimated $48 billion in 2019 (about 14% of the region’s GDP)2. Protected Areas (PAs) – national parks, marine reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries – play a vital role in safeguarding these natural assets and the services they provide to Caribbean people. Yet today, these environments face unprecedented pressure. Climate change is driving coral bleaching, rapidly intensifying hurricanes, and sea-level rise, while unsustainable and unsuitable development and overfishing threaten reefs and fisheries3. Globally, only about 8.4% of the ocean is under some form of protection4, far short of the “30x30” target (to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030). In the Caribbean, many countries are racing to boost conservation – the Dominican Republic, for instance, recently expanded marine reserves from approximately 10% to 30% of its waters5 – but others still have a long way to go. This joint publication by the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE) at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus in Antigua and greenCrowd highlights the vital role of coastal and oceanic Protected Areas and what’s needed to manage them effectively and sustainably. In the sections that follow, we examine innovative financing approaches (“blue investment”), explore how COBE and greenCrowd are building local capacity and driving innovation, and share practical case studies from across the Caribbean.

Energy efficiency lies at the heart of building a sustainable, low-carbon future. One where communities can thrive while protecting our planet. As climate change continues to challenge us, we see tremendous potential in adopting smarter ways to manage and reduce energy use. In the UK alone, the government estimates that GBP 50–60 billion in additional annual investment is needed through the late 2020s and into the 2030s to achieve net-zero goals. Although £2.6 billion of venture capital was invested in green projects in 2023, a considerable funding gap remains, highlighting the scope for new ideas and innovators. We are excited about bridging this gap through solutions that span multiple sectors, from wastewater treatment to construction, from home retrofits to industrial processes, and from renewable energy to waste-to-resource technologies. By focusing on energy efficiency, we not only lower emissions and energy costs but also unlock significant social benefits, including job creation, improved indoor air quality, and progress toward reducing fuel poverty. Efficiency doesn’t just mean reducing consumption. It goes hand in hand with how and when we use energy, leading to optimised systems. Equally, technologies like heat pumps work more effectively when the building stock is more efficient. These interlinked themes work together to take a holistic approach, creating stronger communities, fostering inclusive growth, and driving sustainable innovation on a larger scale. We aim to support this transformation by nurturing emerging technologies and helping them scale. We are passionate about this work because energy efficiency offers a dual opportunity to protect the environment and tackle society’s biggest challenges. By fostering innovation, connecting impact with measurable outcomes, and collaborating across industries, we can create lasting change that benefits both people and the planet. Happy reading from the greenCrowd Team.

We are thrilled to showcase greenCrowd's latest publication that dives deep into India’s green technology revolution! Authored by the brilliant Bede Blaber a MChem Chemistry student at Durham University, this insightful piece unpacks everything from solar power breakthroughs and green hydrogen to cutting-edge battery tech. The piece offers an overview of the current generation of renewable energy technology and its drawbacks. Using India as a case study, I present the next generation of technology, emphasising the importance of scientific research and policy in driving innovation. We encourage anyone interested in renewable energy technology and the broader energy transition landscape to give it a read.

We are proud to introduce the Greencrowd Impact Fund (GIF), which will launch in 2025 to drive investment in UK-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that innovate in sustainability and cleantech. At this pivotal moment, global megatrends urgently emphasise the transition to renewable energy, net-zero carbon commitments, and circular economy practices. The need for substantial capital to bridge the gap between current efforts and what’s required is clear; the UK alone estimates the need for an additional £50-60 billion in yearly investments through the late 2020s to meet its net-zero ambitions. In response to these challenges, GIF is designed to support UK SMEs in developing and deploying renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions, carbon reduction technologies, sustainable agriculture practices, circular economy models, and water management innovations. By focusing on these critical impact areas, GIF aims to bolster the resilience and growth of the UK cleantech sector and address significant market gaps. Building strategic alliances with innovation hubs, universities, and research institutions is crucial. These partners are critical in sourcing, vetting, and supporting SMEs with advanced technical knowledge, research facilities, and market access. This collaboration is key in building a robust pipeline of high-potential opportunities for GIF. To that end, greencrowd is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Freeport East, one of twelve Freeports established in the UK to drive economic growth and innovation. This partnership will enhance greenCrowd’s and Freeport East’s collective ability to support SMEs with access to the proper incubation and commercial, legal or technical support, fostering an environment conducive for SMEs to scale their businesses. If you want to learn about, support, or partner with GIF, please contact us (details at the back of the publication), email the greenCrowd team at team@greencrowd.energy, or visit our website for updates.

Spotting compelling renewable energy opportunities: Montserrat - The Emerald Isle 🌿 Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory, is carving its niche as a renewable energy pioneer in the Eastern Caribbean. With untapped geothermal potential, established solar infrastructure, and ambitious plans for energy independence, this island is primed for transformation. 🔋 Did you know? Montserrat’s energy landscape already includes a 1 MW solar photovoltaic system paired with battery storage, reducing diesel-based electricity by 10%+ annually. With geothermal wells ready to support a scalable power plant, Montserrat is poised to lead the Caribbean’s green transition. This unique blend of British legal frameworks and Caribbean market access (via CARICOM) creates a gateway for businesses to tap into a 16-million-strong regional market. Beyond energy, opportunities abound in sustainable tourism, agriculture, and blue economy initiatives.

We are excited to present our publication, "Green Hydrogen in Africa - A Focus on the Socio-Economic Case," which explores how Africa’s green hydrogen potential can ignite a new era of clean energy and provide a resilient, sustainable pathway for economic development. Last week, Namibia hosted the inaugural Global Africa Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek. The summit will unite global leaders in the hydrogen industry to accelerate progress in the emerging hydrogen value chain. Africa’s green hydrogen initiatives have the power to transform energy access, cut carbon emissions, and spur economic growth. Realising this potential demands swift action, coordinated efforts, significant investment, and supportive policies. The success of these projects, which have the potential to transform the energy landscape, hinges on effectively mobilising resources and stakeholders to overcome challenges such as infrastructure gaps, financial barriers, and regulatory complexities. We invite you to explore the publication and learn more. For more information, please email us at team@greencrowd.energy.

We are delighted to share our publication, "Geothermal in Zambia", which describes the Bweengwa River geothermal project we are involved with in Zambia. With its strong impact component, the project being developed offers a sustainable and reliable tri-energy (power, heat, and cold applications) solution. As the first geothermal project in Southern Africa, it's a potential game-changer, opening up a world of baseload power-dependent solutions and investment possibilities. We hope you find this story interesting and inspiring. Get in touch at team@greencrowd.energy to enquire about our geothermal project development services.

Nepal’s clean energy generation targets are tangible and ambitious. Nepal exported around 452 MW of hydropower to India on the Day-Ahead basis through the Indian Energy Exchange (NEA, 2023). The Himalayan nation aims to export 10,000 MW of power to India – its southern neighbour - within the next ten years. But things were quite different only seven years ago. By 2030, the country aims to expand clean energy generation from approximately 1,400 MW to 15,000 MW, of which 5-10 % will be generated from mini and micro-hydro power, solar, wind and bio-energy. This ambitious target is dependent upon the provision of funding by the international community (and yes, that means all the banks, asset managers, and insurance funds that form part of the OECD’s financial ecosystem). We hope you enjoy this publication. If you would like to discuss how you can get involved in Nepal’s energy and climate finance transition, please do not hesitate to get in touch: team@greencrowd.energy

Need a reason to invest in renewables in Jamaica? In preparation for moderating the panel "Promoting Investment in the Jamaican Renewable Energy Sector", where I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, I jotted down all the positives of investing in new Jamaican renewable energy generation on one side of A4 and ran out of room... + Abundance of natural energy resources (3,000 hours of sunshine a year, consistent coastal breeze, dozens of rivers) + Urgent need to reduce the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels (which make up nearly 90% of generation) and reduce electricity costs to consumers + Investor-friendly, no local restrictions on foreign ownership + Ratings Positive outlook underpinned by strong World Bank Governance Indicators, declining debt trajectory and a robust policy framework + Global openness to trade (CARICOM, CBREA, EPA) etc. + Forward-thinking government, implementing an integrated approach to climate-related FDI  + 50% target of generation from renewables (1.6 GW requirement) Plus you get to be in Jamaica..... Read our 2023 publication to find out about the renewable energy opportunities in Jamaica.

greenCrowd has been working intensively for Zambia’s power sector since December 2019. We view Zambia as a strategically crucial regional hub for the connection of the Southern African and East African power pools. We see that many opportunities across the energy value chain – generation, transmission and distribution - can be realised with the right approach to funding, stakeholder management and project management. As an energy and finance consultancy team, we want to excel across the power sector and contribute to a thriving Energy Supply Industry. After the introduction of the 2019 Electricity and Energy Regulation Acts and material changes to the commercial arrangements in the ESI, notably between ZESCO and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (“CEC”), we see immense opportunities for investment in new generation projects and sector participation which will have a profound and lasting impact within the country and the region. Developments in Zambia are fluid and dynamic and we see a concerted drive across the energy value chain to address historic and legacy issues. Our 2021 publication discusses recent developments and opportunities for investment and participation. It invites you to participate in a critical stage in Zambia’s energy sector transformation.

Southern Africa has abundant mineral resources, including gold, copper, uranium, cobalt, and many other metals, critical to developing the future sustainable energy system. Mining is of critical strategic importance, being one of the region's primary sources of foreign exchange. Mining amounted to 77% of Zambia’s total exports in 2019 and over 99% of those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2017, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). In parallel, aggregate energy demands from all economic sectors within the Southern African region are set to increase from 400 terawatt hours (TWhs) per annum to 565 TWhs between 2017 levels and 2030 - an increase of 41%. Mining is forecast to account for approximately 18-25% of total demand. This growth comes against a background of constrained power provision, with South Africa notably forecast to have a deficit of 4GW, according to Eskom, through 2025. This 2022 publication explores the dynamics of mining and southern Africa and how the procurement of "green" power can go some way to complying with ESG and sustainability requirements.

Mitigating climate change requires a significant shift of electricity production from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, drawing on finite resources that are environmentally damaging to extract with further socio-economic adverse effects and wasted foreign exchange. West Africa has for decades relied heavily on oil for electricity generation, leaving consumers exposed to multiple risks and drawbacks and remote communities without energy. Oil-based electricity generation is typically expensive and subject to price volatility, which can result in risky fuel hedging strategies that lock in prices for years to come. Whilst some countries, such as Nigeria, are oil & gas exporters, most West African countries are net importers. For example, Sierra Leone imports approximately 6 thousand barrels of refined petroleum products daily. These imports consume a significant percentage of gross national income and foreign exchange earnings, hampering economic growth. Our 2019 publication explores the decentralised renewable energy opportunities in West Africa.