Food company Mondelēz International announced today the launch of a new impact investing platform, Sustainable Futures, aiming to incubate, finance and support self-sustaining ventures that address key global challenges.

Mondelēz stated that the new initiative will enable it to pursue and nurture innovative projects, together with like-minded investors, aligned with its sustainability strategy and to help the company deliver on its commitments. According to the company, the new platform will co-invest in projects addressing climate change, and will also make seed investments into social ventures aimed at improving livelihoods and building healthy communities.

Dirk Van de Put, Chief Executive and Chairman of Mondelēz International, said:

“We don’t have all the answers, but we do know that alone, we can never achieve significant progress in the fight against systemic issues like climate change. Sustainable Futures is our first foray into impact investing and gives us the opportunity to work with others in supporting environmental and social projects that can help drive meaningful, long-term change.”

Projects targeted by Sustainable Futures will include those that protect forests, reduce carbon emissions or increase resilience in landscapes from which it sources raw materials. The company identified two of its initial social ventures, including an NGO in India that will set up a sustainable, women-owned social enterprise to up-cycle multi-layered plastic packaging into board for multiple uses, and a venture with INMED Aquaponics Social Enterprise (ASE) in South Africa, supporting agro-entrepreneurs in climate-smart food production.

Christine Montenegro McGrath, VP and Chief of Global Impact and Sustainability at Mondelēz International, said:

“It’s only by testing and learning new approaches, and by seeking new forms of partnership with NGOs, governments, and social entrepreneurs, that we can unleash the creativity we need to tackle some of the world’s most challenging issues. By offering seed investment and expertise through Sustainable Futures, Mondelēz International can help to create lasting solutions in areas like forest protection, carbon emissions reduction, and innovation in recycling.”