Emissions measurement methodology for Lendable
Delivering a tailored methodology to help Lendable’s borrowers measure their emissions
Lendable is a technology-enabled investment platform that provides debt financing to FinTech companies across emerging and frontier markets. With a mission to unlock capital for underserved segments, Lendable supports a diverse portfolio of digital lenders, payment platforms, and embedded finance providers. Many of these companies are early-stage digital lenders with limited internal capacity for sustainability reporting. As part of its growing commitment to sustainability, Lendable sought to help its portfolio companies better understand and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Lendable’s question was clear: how can we equip our borrowers with a practical, scalable approach to emission measurement that fits their business models?
We helped answer this question by developing a tailored methodology specifically designed for FinTech companies. Our approach began with a materiality assessment to identify which emissions sources were most relevant to different types of borrowers in Lendable’s portfolio. For each borrower type, we mapped the most material sources based on their operational models and value chains. For example, for asset and MSME lenders, we emphasized financed emissions (Scope 3), as these companies extend credit to end-users whose activities indirectly generate emissions. For payment platforms and embedded finance providers, we highlighted emissions from electricity used in their offices, cloud computing, and data centres (Scope 2), as well as those from purchased goods and services, and business travel (Scope 3). This mapping helped borrowers focus on what truly matters for their business models.
We consolidated this into a single, user-friendly guide that not only evaluated materiality but also provided clear equations, data sources, and illustrative examples to support implementation.
In coordination with Lendable and FSD Africa, we then conducted an in-person training session in Nairobi, Kenya to bring the guidance to life, where over 35 participants from Lendable’s borrower network engaged in interactive discussions and hands-on exercises. The training allowed participants to ask questions, share experiences, and gain confidence in applying the methodology to their own operations.
The result was a meaningful step forward in building climate reporting capacity across Lendable’s portfolio. Borrowers gained clarity on how to approach emissions measurement in a way that aligns with their businesses, and Lendable strengthened its position as a sustainability-minded investor offering practical support to its partners.
