Agriculture technologies and related infrastructure are facing complex challenges linked to global problems such as climate change and food security. More agricultural innovation is needed, so countries are often looking for new investment ideas in this area.

Thanks to funding from the Advisory Hub, the Banque des Territoires, one of the five arms of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), developed an anaerobic digestion toolbox to help small agricultural businesses reduce carbon emissions and cut their use of fossil fuels, while producing biogas at the same time. Banque des Territoires’ support for small-scale anaerobic digestion projects is part of its drive to create more attractive and sustainable regions across France.

In anaerobic digestion, products such as food waste and manure are broken down by microbes to make biogas. This process also has many benefits for businesses and the climate. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helps waste management, and improves animal and human health by preventing the spread of pathogens.

The toolbox, launched in early 2021, will help structure projects and serve as an advisory service to clients running small, regional anaerobic digestion projects. The advisory service will offer help in the areas of technical, legal and financial structuring and it will especially help clients find bank loans and other financing. As these small anaerobic digestion projects are considered risky by banks, Banque des Territoires will help clients follow the best standards to make sure the projects are strong candidates for financing. With the help of the Advisory Hub, Banque des Territoires assessed the market and developed various templates and guidance materials for the toolbox. The tools are available online and project promoters can use them to prepare biogas projects.

Moreover, with the support of the Advisory Hub, Banque des Territoires has launched the S’GREEN+ programme, an initiative to help 25 medium-sized French cities prepare climate adaptation projects.

S’GREEN+ wants to boost public and private investment in climate-change adaptation projects and preserve biodiversity in medium-sized cities, which are especially important in the fight against climate change.

Experts mobilised by the Advisory Hub will work with these cities to develop bespoke action plans and identify steps to be taken to implement the projects. Additionally, all the work carried out by the experts will be available online in order to share experiences with other communities both in France and throughout the European Union. This strong alliance with the Banque des Territoires helps Europe in its pursuit of the Green Deal.

Duration: 15 months

Total budget: up to EUR 436,480

Maximum grant: up to EUR 245,000