Investment firm, Nuveen, secures $785 million for its third Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) lending fund, broadening the scope of sustainable finance in the real estate sector.
In a significant stride towards sustainable real estate financing, Nuveen Green Capital's C-PACE Lending Fund III has raised $785 million, increasing Nuveen's total C-PACE assets under management to over $6 billion[1][2]. This fund, which supports energy efficiency, water conservation, and climate resiliency projects in commercial real estate, is making a tangible difference in the fight against climate change.
The fund's projects contribute directly to sustainability goals by reducing carbon footprints and resource use[1]. Socially, it provides long-term, stable investment opportunities for institutional investors, particularly insurance companies, aligning financial returns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria[1][2].
C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a state-level public-private financing program that allows building owners to access low-cost, long-term capital for improvements tied to energy and water savings, as well as climate resilience measures[1][2]. These financing terms are more favorable than mezzanine debt or equity, helping accelerate retrofit projects that reduce environmental impact.
By providing institutional investors access to investment-grade, fixed-income assets with definable positive environmental impacts, Nuveen Green Capital drives capital towards green infrastructure while meeting insurers’ needs for long-duration, risk-adjusted returns[2]. This approach also helps reshape commercial real estate lending by integrating sustainable objectives into financial performance, advancing broader ESG priorities in the real estate sector[1].
Nuveen Green Capital's efforts have yielded impressive results. Their C-PACE financings have saved 585 megawatt hours of energy, equivalent to over 407,000 acres of forest in carbon emissions[1]. Moreover, these financings have supported the creation of over 2,100 housing units and saved more than 461 million gallons of water[1].
Nuveen, with assets under management totalling $325 billion for more than 125 global insurance clients, is a leader in the field[1]. Notably, NGC is the first to securitize commercial PACE assets and launch a private fund series[1]. As of the end of 2024, NGC has issued more than $3 billion through securitizations and private funds[1].
Interestingly, 93% of Nuveen's insurance clients consider or plan to consider environmental and social impact in their investment decisions[1]. Nuveen Green Capital manages over $3 billion in assets within the C-PACE space, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable real estate financing.
In conclusion, Nuveen C-PACE Lending Fund III is aiding environmental outcomes by enabling sustainable building upgrades, water conservation, and climate resilience, while offering social benefits through stable, impact-driven investment opportunities aligned with growing institutional demand for green finance[1][2][3]. This fund is a testament to Nuveen's leadership in the sustainable real estate financing sector and its commitment to environmental, social, and governance priorities.
References: [1] Nuveen. (2021). Nuveen Green Capital Launches C-PACE Lending Fund III. Retrieved from https://www.nuveen.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/nuveen-green-capital-launches-c-pace-lending-fund-iii
[2] Nuveen. (2020). Nuveen Green Capital Secures $785 Million for C-PACE Lending Fund III. Retrieved from https://www.nuveen.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/nuveen-green-capital-secures-785-million-for-c-pace-lending-fund-iii
[3] Nuveen. (2021). Nuveen Green Capital Financings Save Energy, Water and Reduce Carbon Emissions. Retrieved from https://www.nuveen.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/nuveen-green-capital-financings-save-energy-water-and-reduce-carbon-emissions
- The C-PACE Lending Fund III, managed by Nuveen Green Capital, is making a significant impact on the environment by supporting energy efficiency, water conservation, and climate resilience projects in commercial real estate, thereby reducing carbon footprints and resource use.
- The social impact of Nuveen Green Capital's initiatives extends to providing long-term, stable investment opportunities for institutional investors, especially insurance companies, thereby aligning financial returns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
- In line with the growing demand for green finance, Nuveen Green Capital's efforts in sustainable real estate financing, such as the C-PACE Lending Fund III, are driving capital towards clean energy projects, contributing to the advancement of environmental-science and mitigating climate-change effects.
- The increasing focus on sustainable living has led 93% of Nuveen's insurance clients to consider or plan to consider environmental and social impact in their investment decisions, demonstrating a shift towards responsible investing in the home-and-garden, lifestyle, and real-estate sectors.
- By investing in sustainable real estate through their C-PACE Lending Fund III, Nuveen Green Capital is not only playing a pivotal role in combating climate-change but also positioning themselves as a trailblazer in sustainable finance and investing, contributing to the overall finance industry transformation and the promotion of a greener planet.