Climate change and health are two of the most interconnected challenges of our time. Yet, both sectors often remain underfunded. Investors still perceive them as high-risk areas with low profitability and uncertain returns. This funding gap limits how communities respond to pollution-related illnesses, heat stress, and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases.
On 11 September 2025, during the AVPN Conference in Rosewood, Hong Kong SAR, China, this issue became the focus of a closed-door discussion titled Driving Collective Impact on Climate x Health. The session was led by Sarita Kinanti, Associate Director of KUMPUL Impact, and joined by leaders from development agencies, philanthropic organizations, impact funds, academia, global networks, and NGOs. The discussion explored how stronger collaboration and innovative financing can unlock sustainable investment that connects climate and health outcomes.
In the discussion, Natou Bamba Colon (Senior Mobilization and Partnerships Advisor, Agence Française de Développement – AFD), Katie Carrasco (Head of ESG and Gender Co-Lead, Global Innovation Fund), Renzo Guinto (Associate Professor and Lead, Planetary Health, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore), Angela Chaudhuri (Chief Catalyst, Swasti), Aravindan Srinivasan (Director, Thematic Collaborations, AVPN), Bharati Chaturvedi (Founder and Director, Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group), Carsten Schicker (CEO, World Health Summit), Diana Margarita Guzmán (Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Chair of the Prudence Foundation, Prudential Plc), and Madhav Joshi (Chief Executive Officer, India Health Fund) emphasized that to make this sector more favorable for investors, there is a need to strengthen de-risking mechanisms, create clearer ROI pathways, enable supportive government policies, innovate flexible funding models, and reframe healthcare as critical infrastructure.
Building Confidence Through Smarter Funding
Participants emphasized that building investor confidence is the first step toward scaling solutions in this space. Many agreed that grants can serve as a safe starting point, reducing early-stage risks before transitioning to catalytic capital to attract private investors. This layered approach helps create a clearer pathway for return on investment while maintaining focus on measurable social impact.
The conversation also underlined the critical role of governments in shaping policy and infrastructure. Transparent regulations, data-driven incentives, and consistent public funding can build the trust needed for long-term investment. Equally important are flexible funding models that adjust to local realities, ensuring that capital responds to genuine needs on the ground rather than rigid project templates.
Several panelists highlighted the value of pilot projects as proof of concept. By providing small-ticket funding for early implementation, investors and policymakers can observe real results, refine strategies, and prepare evidence-based scaling.
Collaboration as the Path to Collective Impact
Throughout the session, collaboration emerged as the central theme. Participants agreed that addressing the climate and health crisis requires cross-border and cross-sector cooperation. Knowledge sharing and joint financing among countries and institutions can help align fragmented efforts into a unified strategy for sustainable development.
Another key insight was the need to reframe healthcare as essential public infrastructure. Positioning health systems alongside critical utilities such as transportation, energy, and internet connectivity allows for more integrated and resilient policy planning.
For KUMPUL Impact, this discussion reinforced our mission to bridge global dialogue with local action. By connecting investors, innovators, and community changemakers, we aims to ensure that climate and health investments not only reach underserved populations but also strengthen the foundations of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Grow Locally, Expand Globally with KUMPUL
KUMPUL accelerates growth by connecting entrepreneurs with strategic networks, exclusive resources, and expert insights. As Indonesia’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystem enabler, KUMPUL strengthens local communities while facilitating two-way global market access, helping international businesses tap into Indonesia’s dynamic ecosystem and supporting local entrepreneurs in expanding worldwide. Through impactful collaborations with key industry players, KUMPUL empowers entrepreneurs to scale efficiently, compete globally, and drive meaningful impact.
Ready to be part of this journey? Complete this form and join KUMPUL in shaping the future of entrepreneurship!
