Danish Pension Fund Velliv Invests in Nuveen’s Private Equity Impact Fund Addressing Climate Change and Inequality

Danish pension fund Velliv has made a significant investment in a private equity impact fund focused on tackling social inequality and climate change. Nuveen, the asset manager behind the fund, announced today that it had raised around $200 million for its second global climate inclusion private equity strategy.

Velliv has pledged DKK700 million (€93.8 million) to the fund, which aligns with the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Article 9 requirements. Anders Stensbøl Christiansen, Velliv’s chief investment officer, emphasized the importance of addressing global challenges while delivering attractive returns to customers.

This is not the first time Velliv has partnered with Nuveen on impact investments. In 2020, the pension fund invested in Nuveen’s first impact fund, which has since attracted over $200 million in investor capital and supported eight global businesses, including US clean energy technology platform Perch Energy.

Rekha Unnithan, head of private equity impact at Nuveen, highlighted the investment opportunity presented by addressing climate change and inequality through commercial businesses. She believes that overcoming these challenges can also lead to financial success.

With impact investments playing a growing role in Velliv’s portfolio, the pension provider is committed to making a positive difference in the world while generating returns for its customers. The collaboration between Velliv and Nuveen demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable future.