• Secured $175 million from major institutional and corporate anchors to accelerate investments.
• Targets significant reduction in global emissions linked to land use and biodiversity loss.
• First investment supports advanced biodiversity monitoring technology from NatureMetrics.

Just Climate, a specialist investment firm targeting high-impact climate solutions, announced strategic partnerships with California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund to boost investment in natural climate solutions.

Why it matters:

Land management currently accounts for about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a primary driver of biodiversity loss.

Just Climate’s new strategy aims to transform land use through scalable investments such as biological fertilisers, innovative restoration financing models, and technologies verifying carbon and biodiversity outcomes.

What they’re investing in:

In January 2025, Just Climate led Series B funding for NatureMetrics, a UK-based leader in biodiversity monitoring, utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) technology.

This investment will expand NatureMetrics’ platform, enhancing AI capabilities to deliver precise data crucial for nature and climate reporting.

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Strategic partnerships:

CalSTRS, the institutional anchor, signals institutional investor confidence in transformative, scalable climate-focused business models.

Microsoft’s involvement underscores corporate potential to drive impactful climate solutions, particularly through innovations supporting net-zero transitions and sustainable supply chains.

Microsoft also joined the Just Climate Nature Alliance, harnessing corporate expertise to expand natural climate solutions.

What they’re saying:

“The climate crisis is accelerating and forcing an energy and land transition, which will succeed if it is a just transition. Climate-led investing is the practice of scaling solutions that can best enable this transition and is fast becoming a capital allocation imperative for investors around the world—as exemplified by our anchor partners,” said Clara Barby CBE, Senior Partner of Just Climate.

“We believe, with the right growth capital and business-building support, the picks and shovels that will enable the land transition have the potential to scale rapidly and generate attractive financial returns through highest positive climate impact.”

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