Former European head of trade body the FIA Simon Puleston Jones has launched a green consultancy with an energy specialist and a climate bond expert.

Puleston Jones, who quit the FIA in early 2019, said on Thursday he is chief executive officer of Climate Solutions, a new climate-focused fund raising and strategic consultancy.

The ex-lawyer has founded the consultancy with chief operating officer Bob MacDonald, the former head of clean energy firm Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions, part of FTSE 250-listed Wood Group, and Paul Camp, Climate Solutions’ head of transactions who launched the world’s first climate bond in 2014.

Puleston Jones said: “Our highly experienced and well-connected team is uniquely placed to bridge the gap between those with the money and those with the solutions.”

He continued: “Climate Solutions will orchestrate markets to empower the global scale up of a diverse range of sustainable climate solutions, at scale and pace.”

The founders said in a statement they are already closing deals across a range of sustainable investments such as solar, battery storage, hydrogen, waste-to-energy and electric vehicles.

Puleston Jones added: “Clients are choosing us because, in contrast to many of our peers, we’re as expert in the technologies and projects relating to climate solutions as we are in financial markets.”

Climate Solutions, based in London, said it plans to connect investors with equity, debt and project finance investment opportunities in five areas: energy transition; sustainable agriculture; net zero real estate; water solutions; and the circular economy

The firm also said on Thursday it is setting up a global network of introducers, due diligence firms, distributors, investors and green solution vendors to streamline the flow of investments between counterparties.

Puleston Jones said: “When putting in place distribution agreements with leading investment banks, they tell us that we’re pushing against an open door, such is the demand from them and their clients for climate-focused investment opportunities to meet their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and impact investment goals”.

The head of sustainable investments at Schroders said last week that the Covid-19 pandemic could act as a “springboard” for faster reductions in carbon emissions, and investments in clean technology should be more ambitious in scope.

Manulife Investment Management said in late July emerging markets including those in Asia offer some of the best ESG investment opportunities.