The judges praised French private equity firm and investment firm Eurazeo for its Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure (ESMI) funds, citing "very clear performance and impact-driven outcomes."

The ESMI strategy is structured as a Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) Article 9 fund to support the transition of the maritime sector towards a low‑carbon economy.

ESMI I is now more than 90% deployed, with Eurazeo expecting it to deliver a gross IRR of circa 8%, and ESMI II (launched December 2025) reached a €175 million ($204 million) first closing in early 2026, towards its €400 million target.

Eurazeo reported that in 2025, ESMI achieved an average 65% reduction in direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, outperforming the fund's objectives and enabling 159,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent of avoided emissions. This was primarily driven by financing vessels for installation, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms, and those integrating hybrid or low-carbon propulsion technologies.

It also achieved 36% EU Taxonomy alignment in 2025, again exceeding objectives at the launch of the fund.