French bank Societe Generale has committed EUR 100 million (over $115 million) as an anchor investor in Ardian's Averrhoa NBS fund, which focuses on nature-based carbon removal projects. The fund aims to sequester up to 85 million tons of carbon over 40 years through reforestation, wetland restoration, and mangrove projects. Societe Generale will also act as financial advisor to Ardian on the fund's structuring and deployment. The Averrhoa NBS fund is classified as an Article 9 impact fund under the EU's SFDR regulation. Ardian is managing the fund through its infrastructure team in partnership with French advisory firm aDryada. Beyond carbon capture, the projects are designed to protect biodiversity, preserve water resources, and support local communities. This partnership signals growing institutional appetite for nature-based solutions as a mainstream investable asset class. The deal combines Ardian's infrastructure investment expertise with Societe Generale's capital and structuring capabilities to scale up large-scale ecosystem restoration projects.
