Real assets-focused alternative investment platform Slate Asset Management announced the launch of the Cities and Communities Impact Infrastructure Strategy, a new impact investment strategy aiming to invest in infrastructure assets that advance the global energy transition and drive reductions in carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of cities and communities.

Slate stated that through the new strategy, it will partner closely with cities, companies and technology providers and invest across the infrastructure spectrum in long-term clean energy and sustainability solutions for urban settings.

Brady Welch, Founding Partner at Slate Asset Management, said:

“Meeting the ambitious net-zero commitments of governments and communities around the world will require massive investments to upgrade and modernize urban infrastructure. With our Cities and Communities Impact Infrastructure Strategy, we have a unique opportunity to leverage Slate’s existing expertise, reach and relationships to put ourselves at the forefront of that change, and we are very pleased that Christian has joined us to lead these efforts.”

Slate also announced that it has hired Christian Schmid as Managing Director and Global Head of Infrastructure, who will manage the new strategy. Schmid joins Slate from Queensland Investment Corporation, where served as Sector Lead for Utilities. Prior to joining QIC, Schmid was a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, responsible for originating and executing infrastructure transactions across Europe and North America.

Blair Welch, Founding Partner at Slate, said:

“Climate change poses an increasingly significant risk to virtually every segment of our society, and cities have a strong incentive to address these emissions through urban planning, technologies and behavioral change. Christian will draw upon his deep expertise and knowledge in this space to take our Cities and Communities Impact Infrastructure Strategy forward, enabling Slate to contribute to real and positive change globally.”

Schmid added:

“Slate’s young culture of innovation will be a significant advantage as we champion technologies and infrastructure solutions aimed at making our cities and communities more environmentally resilient. This culture, coupled with the firm’s well-established global footprint, vertically-integrated portfolio and focus on ESG, positions Slate well to unlock compelling investment opportunities tied to the global energy transition, while advancing our vision of a more sustainable future.”