NextBillion - A WDI Publication

As COP30 talks progress, the conversation must shift from policy to execution. A backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, rising climate impacts and mounting pressure on public budgets, makes this harder but not impossible. The Baku-to-Belém Roadmap sets an ambitious target of mobilising $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2035. This signals a decisive shift towards frameworks that prioritise private sector participation.

Institutional investors are showing growing appetite for climate-linked opportunities in emerging markets, driven by long-term, predictable returns and portfolio diversification. However, barriers including risk perception, regulatory constraints and a shortage of investable products at scale, persist. Development finance institutions and multilateral banks are responding with blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms designed to align with institutional requirements.

The greatest constraint remains pipeline. Too few bankable projects meet both development priorities and investor risk-return expectations. Building that pipeline demands early-stage investment, regulatory reform and capacity building – all areas where public and private investors must collaborate.

Join us as we explore the barriers to investment and the components needed to mobilise capital at scale to meet climate and development needs.

Speakers include:
Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director, Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment
Jesse Baver, Head of Innovative Finance for Mobilisation, British International Investment
Jo Holden, Global Head of Investment Research, Mercer
Alessandra Nibbio, Head of Blended Finance, BlueOrchard
Manfred Schepers, Chief Executive Officer, ILX Fund

Time: 10:00 AM ET

Direct Air Capture is moving from pilot projects to commercial reality—but how do we know if it works at scale?

Join Boundless and Heirloom Carbon for an in-depth look at what independent analysis reveals about the economics, energy requirements, and environmental performance of commercial carbon removal.

We’ll explore:
-The real cost to remove a ton of CO₂—and how it changes from demonstration to megatonne scale
-Energy demands and the pathway to improved efficiency (64,266 MJ → 7,603 MJ per ton)
-Why demo facilities can be net emitters while scaled operations achieve net removal
-Breaking down the path to $100/ton carbon removal
-What third-party LCA/TEA analysis reveals that marketing claims don’t

This webinar offers a rare look inside independent carbon removal assessment—providing the data-driven transparency needed as the industry scales toward gigatonne impact.

Who should attend: Advanced Technology Innovators, Climate tech investors, corporate sustainability leaders, carbon credit buyers, policymakers, and anyone seeking evidence-based insights on carbon removal.

Time: 2:00 ET

Africa faces a defining challenge – and opportunity – in financing its green transition.

According to Convergence, blended finance has already mobilized over $90 billion across the continent, mostly in energy and infrastructure. Yet major opportunities remain in agriculture, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience – especially those tapping into local capital markets.

This webinar explores the next frontier of blended finance innovation – showcasing practical strategies to de-risk investments and attract both international and local private capital.

The webinar will feature:

• A clear view of Africa’s blended finance landscape and emerging trends
• Insights into deal structures that mobilize private investment
• Practical de-risking strategies to make projects bankable
• Case studies of successful climate and green economy transactions

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (GMT-05:00)

You are invited to join us for the first informational webinar for our “Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: 2026 Global Case Writing Competition.”

Discover how this exciting global competition is shining a spotlight on the powerful role entrepreneurship plays in emerging markets—and why these stories are essential to understanding innovation and connection in today’s rapidly changing world.
During the session, WDI Publishing’s Manager will share insider tips on crafting a compelling case and teaching note, including:

• What makes a great case stand out
• A breakdown of key case and teaching note components
• How to effectively use citations and endnote sources
• Practical strategies to overcome common writing challenges

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets and the 2026 Global Case Writing Competition, proudly sponsored by the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan, WDI Publishing, and the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship.