Leilani Weier, the head of responsible investment and sustainability at Rest, expressed enthusiasm over the superannuation fund's decision to pour financial resources into its third significant 'impact investment'. The investment in Cibus Fund II not only aligns with Rest's dedication to sustainable investing but also shows promise for robust returns, benefitting the fund's members substantially in the long run. While the total amount invested remains confidential, the move accentuates a major leap towards a diverse and forward-leaning portfolio.
The investment exemplifies Rest's strategy to back initiatives leading the charge in contemporary agriculture while also addressing the urgent demand for more environmentally-conducive plant practices and the conservation of natural resources. Cibus Fund II is involved with entities like a key supplier of vegetable seedlings in Eastern Australia—a business seeking to intensify their sustainability, particularly in water and waste management, by embracing advanced automation and innovative technologies.
Rest's decision to invest in the Cibus Fund II trails its previous impact investments in the Palisade Impact Fund and ARCHIMED, with each concentrated on socially and environment-responsive infrastructural and healthcare sector growths respectively. Notably, the Cibus Fund II stands as Rest's inaugural impact venture within the alternatives asset category.
A primary goal for Rest's impact investments is to marry fiscal performance with actionable social and environmental outcomes, propelling this dual benefit approach to creating valuable solutions. Managed by Cibus Capital LLP, a London-based advisor specializing in food and agriculture equity investments, the Cibus fund concentrates its efforts on deriving substantial returns through investments in the food value chain.
Weier highlighted that this venture increases Rest's likelihood to meet its goal: allocating one per cent of its total portfolio to impact investments by 2026. The broader vision for Rest is that investments such as in Cibus Fund II not only escalate economic value for members but also contribute significantly to the pressing need for net-zero transitions around the globe.
Addressing the fund's commitment to the environment and sustainability, Weier pointed out that engaging in the evolving and responsive market of sustainable agriculture is quintessential to the future expansion of Rest's portfolio. With a considerable demographic of young Australians under its representation, Rest sees impact investing as not only a potent avenue for growth but also a means to foster a greener, more resilient world for future generations.
The Cibus Fund has successfully raised in excess of US$1 billion, dedicated to investments spanning mid-market growth and late-stage agri-tech ventures, reflecting a resilient momentum in both sustainable agriculture and food technology fields.
Published: Tuesday 13th February, 2024
Last updated: Tuesday 13th February, 2024
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