Celebrating a Decade of Impact

10th Anniversary of The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab)

Reall is proud to congratulate The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab) on their remarkable 10th anniversary. As a partner since 2022, Reall has worked closely with The Lab to advance innovative financial solutions for affordable, green housing in emerging markets. 

Since 2014, The Lab has been instrumental in shaping and influencing the climate finance space, developing innovative climate finance models to navigate the challenges of emerging market investments. Since its inception, the Lab has spearheaded innovative financial solutions to catalyse investments in climate action and sustainable development, mobilising over $4 billion dollars to drive change.  

The Lab’s diversified portfolio has serviced an array of sectors, addressing challenges in mitigation and adaptation while also providing actionable models for scaling finance to a resilient, net-zero future. This anniversary signifies more than just a milestone in their journey; it also reaffirms the commitment to addressing climate financing concerns in emerging markets and developing economies. 

A Lab Alumni: Endorsing our Green Affordable Housing Finance (GAHF) Model  

Since receiving Lab endorsement in 2022, Reall’s Green Affordable Housing Finance (GAHF) initiative has developed into a complex model ready to be piloted. GAHF consists of an enabling environment facility, and a guarantee facility, these targeted interventions will be used to stimulate a locally driven, self-sustaining affordable housing finance ecosystem. Following GAHF’s securing an additional $200K feasibility fund from SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI), we have steadily progressed to designing be-spoke gender-focused Enabling Environment and Guarantee Facilities that have been informed by successful research exercise that aimed to identify the gaps in housing finance for women borrowers. As a result, this tool is instrumental in paving the way for sustainable housing solutions in emerging markets, and will catalyse women’s financial inclusion. This will be achieved through increasing access to climate-resilient housing, particularly for lower-income women through innovative financing. 

The tool will be piloted in Kenya and will then be scaled up for use in additional markets where we also see underdeveloped green building industries, low mortgage penetration, large informal economies, and opportunities for alternative credit assessments by local financial institutions. 

The Green Affordable Housing Finance (GAHF) instrument holds significant potential as it prepares to scale to other markets across Africa and Asia. This instrument aims to integrate sustainable building practices into the affordable housing sector by leveraging green finance to lower both construction and operational costs. As the program expands, it is expected to attract a broader range of stakeholders, from impact investors to development finance institutions as well as financiers, and offer innovative financing mechanisms that will incorporate guarantees, innovative housing finance products such as rent-to-own models and concessional loans. By aligning with global climate goals, this initiative could drive widespread adoption of eco-friendly housing solutions, improving living conditions while reducing carbon footprints in rapidly urbanising regions. Alongside this, we are actively engaging roll-out partners from the industry ecosystem in country who will join forces with the Reall team in making this instrument a reality.

Forging a green, resilient, impactful future  

Reall is proud to commemorate the 10th anniversary of The Lab, and we join them in celebrating a decade of impactful work in climate finance. Real know that the Lab’s engagement with GAHF will help to promote affordable, climate-resilient housing in emerging markets, driving financial inclusion for women and fostering sustainable development. Continuing to follow in the Lab’s footsteps, Reall remains committed to forging impactful partnerships and pioneering solutions for a greener, more resilient future. 

Here’s to another decade of impact, fostering powerful partnerships, and creating innovative solutions for a sustainable and resilient future.