The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) invests in measures to cut energy use and CO2 emissions and improve resource efficiency across Southeast Europe, the Eastern Neighbourhood region, the Middle East, and North Africa. Investments promoting improved resource efficiency include the more efficient use of water, improved management of water resources and wastewater, and reduced consumption of natural resources.

In order to develop a methodology to better promote and report on the impact of resource efficient investments, GGF and ProCredit Bank Serbia (PCB Serbia) agreed to conduct a benchmark study of PCB Serbia’s portfolio, seeking to identify and map potential resource efficient investments and enlarge the green lending portfolio at PCB Serbia. IPC was contracted to engage in this market research and portfolio assessment.

IPC conducted a detailed screening of PCB Serbia’s loan portfolio and visited multiple PCB Serbia clients to better understand demand-side considerations for the use of material and resource efficient equipment and technologies. IPC also conducted on-site meetings with suppliers of material and resource efficient equipment to better understand the technologies and options available. Following this, IPC developed for GGF and PCB Serbia a technology map for material and resource efficient technologies and equipment in Serbia, with calculations for the technical and economic potential of identified technologies.

This research and information allowed GGF and PCB Serbia to better plan their outreach and promote resource efficiency through finance.