Microsoft and CalSTRS Invest $175M in Just Climate to Scale Natural Climate Solutions

New funding to accelerate land-use transformation and biodiversity conservation

Just Climate, an investment firm specializing in high-impact climate solutions, has secured $175 million from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to expand investments in natural climate solutions (NCS).

Why It Matters

• Land use contributes to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a leading driver of biodiversity loss.
• Just Climate’s new strategy focuses on biological fertilizers, innovative restoration financing, and advanced carbon and biodiversity verification technologies.
• Institutional and corporate investors are increasingly seeing land-based solutions as critical to achieving climate goals.

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First Investment: NatureMetrics

• Just Climate led Series B funding for NatureMetrics, a UK-based leader in biodiversity monitoring.
• The company’s environmental DNA (eDNA) technology enables AI-powered biodiversity tracking, improving nature and climate impact reporting.
• The investment aims to enhance corporate and institutional capabilities in measuring and managing nature-related risks.

Strategic Partnerships: Institutional & Corporate Backing

• CalSTRS, one of the world’s largest pension funds, signals growing institutional confidence in scalable, climate-driven business models.
• Microsoft is leveraging its Climate Innovation Fund to support solutions driving net-zero transitions and sustainable supply chains.
• Microsoft also joined the Just Climate Nature Alliance, aiming to expand corporate engagement in natural climate solutions.

What They’re Saying

Clara Barby CBE, Senior Partner, Just Climate:

“The climate crisis is accelerating and forcing an energy and land transition, which will succeed if it is a just transition. Climate-led investing is fast becoming a capital allocation imperative for investors worldwide.”

Stepping Toward Scalable Nature-Based Solutions

The funding will expand Just Climate’s investment in innovative land management technologies, ensuring that natural climate solutions can scale rapidly while generating financial returns and maximizing climate impact.

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