Accelerating Impact through Green Finance
Discovering how our financial choices can contribute to a healthier and more impactful economy
Hey Climate Norther,
At our latest Climate North shindig, we wanted to explore how our hard earned dollars could also be used to support the effort to save our planet.
What a buzz of energy! We were joined by the pros—Suzanne Faiza, Knowledge Lead at Tapestry Community Capital, showed us how community bonds can build stronger neighbourhoods, Emily Mercy, Co-founder and Managing Director at Goparity Canada, broke down the magic of crowd-lending, and Tim Nash, Founder at Good Investing, made personal finance feel like an adventure in ethical investing.
With good vibes, great snacks, and a room full of passionate folks, it was a Thursday night that left everyone fired up to put their money where their values are.
💲Cha-ching!💲
🏦 Impact Investing
Building a Better World, One Bond at a Time
Main Idea: Suzanne Faiza from Tapestry Capital took us on a journey into the world of community finance, focusing on how community bonds can empower local ownership and fund impactful projects. Think of them as a loan. These bonds aren’t just about returns—they’re about investing in your neighbourhood and beyond.
Why It Matters: Community bonds are a win-win. They keep money circulating locally, offer fair returns, and allow regular folks to invest in causes that matter. Plus, with $110M+ already raised from 3,000+ investors, these bonds are proving their worth in building sustainable infrastructure.
The Big Picture: Community bonds have funded everything from solar projects to EV charging networks, showing that community-led finance can drive significant climate action. This model is scalable and inclusive, making it easier for anyone to support meaningful change that's in front of them—whether they’re in Toronto or Timbuktu.
Bottom Line: Community finance is more than just numbers; it’s about creating a sense of ownership and stewardship in our communities. With Tapestry’s help, even small investments can have big impacts, making our world greener and more sustainable.
Action Items: Ready to get involved? Look into community bonds in your area, or start with Tapestry’s projects to see how your money can make a difference close to home. It’s time to invest in the future you want to live in!
💵 MONEY MOVES
You Can Change the World in Just a Few Bucks
Main Idea: Emily Mercy from GoParity Canada broke down how impact finance can be accessible to everyone through crowdlending. By democratising access, crowdlending empowers everyday citizens to invest in projects that generate real social and environmental benefits. It’s about putting the power of impact investing into the hands of the people—literally.
Why It Matters: Globally, we need a whopping $5 trillion per year to hit the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Unfortunately, we’re falling short. With $5.9 trillion in private wealth in Canada alone, there’s massive untapped potential to redirect funds toward these goals. Crowdlending lowers the barriers, making it possible for anyone, even with just $10, to invest in a better future.
The Big Picture: Crowdlending isn’t just a financial tool—it’s a movement. By giving more people the chance to invest in impactful projects, we can create a tidal wave of change, driving sustainable and equitable initiatives worldwide. This model is all about inclusivity, allowing everyone, regardless of background, to have a stake in the planet’s future.
Bottom Line: Impact investing doesn’t have to be just for the wealthy. With crowdlending, everyone can get involved, supporting projects that make a difference. It’s about using your money for good, no matter how much—or how little—you have to invest.
Take Action: Ready to join the movement? Head to GoParity, start with as little as $10, and see how your investment can drive real change. And don’t forget to use the code GREEN4GREEN for a $50 kick start into the world of impact investing!
👨🏼⚖️ MODERATOR AWESOME
The Money Maestro Who Made Finance Fun!
A big thanks to Tim Nash from Good Investing for absolutely nailing it as our event moderator! Tim’s deep knowledge of impact investing and financial literacy kept everyone engaged and informed throughout the night.
He effortlessly covered everything from budgeting basics to the ins and outs of stocks and bonds—all while sprinkling in some much-needed humour. Tim’s knack for making complex financial topics feel refreshingly accessible and relatable had the crowd hanging on his every word.
We couldn’t have asked for a better guide to help us align our money with our values. Thanks for keeping us on track, Tim!
👌 ETHICAL BANKING
Put Your Money Where the Planet Is
Bank.Green is a platform dedicated to helping people align their banking choices with their environmental values. By providing clear, accessible information on which banks are financing fossil fuels and which are committed to sustainable practices, Bank.Green empowers users to make informed decisions.
Their goal? To shift billions in deposits away from dirty energy and into banks that support a greener future, all with the power of informed consumer choice.
📍VENUE PARTNER
Thank You Orchestra Marketing for Hosting Us
A shout out to Orchestra Marketing for being such lovely hosts of this Green Financing event! You guys truly know how to hit the right notes, not just in digital advertising but in creating a space where big ideas and small campaigns can thrive. Thanks for giving us the perfect stage to connect, collaborate, and make some noise for a greener future! 🎶 🌿
How did you like this newsletter? 🤔
Great 😃/ Solid 🙂 / Meh 😐
(We craft these newsletters with love, and your feedback will make our love for delivering insightful climate content grow that much stronger.)
💰Thanks for banking on a greener future with us! Let's keep investing in our planet—one sustainable step at a time. Catch you next month!
The Climate North team - Chloe D'Agostini, Rebeka (Becky) Romanovsky, Fab Barrillot. Written by Tejas Shah. Supported by Julian Cheah. Pictures by Varun Dhanwantri and Becky.