The world’s development banks are funnelling ever-greater volumes of finance into clean energy — but the challenge of shifting entire economies away from climate-wrecking activity and towards actions that align investment goals with those of the Paris Agreement requires a more holistic approach
COULD DO BETTER
Banks charged with investing public money in economic development are increasingly concerned about the risk climate change poses to financial assets, but few are redirecting investment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Too many decisions are based on outdated knowledge about alternatives to fossil fuel projects
LEADERSHIP NEEDED
Heads of development banks should join politicians and show leadership in diverting money from fossil fuels to green energy and stimulating energy savings
KEY QUOTE
Leading development banks are looking at both green and brown investment, and are looking at climate-related financial risk ...
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The concept of transition bonds began as an idea to sell bonds that were difficult to market as green bonds, mainly natural gas bonds, but has evolved into an opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation efforts
Many believe the ECB and other central banks should bring climate considerations into the rulebook governing what they support and how
China has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 at the latest, but its economic plan for 2021-2025 is expected to approve the building of more coal-powered plants
Despite the constant flood of bad news related to Covid-19, there are signs we are also witnessing unprecedented global dialogue, innovation and collaboration, offering hope that climate change and clean energy can be at the forefront of post-pandemic plans, says Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities
Politically there is broad support in Denmark for financing the green transition through taxes and a carbon emissions tax proposal has been welcomed by parties across the political spectrum, but industry opposition could ultimately quash the idea
The world’s development banks are funnelling ever-greater volumes of finance into clean energy — but the challenge of shifting entire economies away from climate-wrecking activity and towards actions that align investment goals with those of the Paris Agreement requires a more holistic approach
An EU taxonomy to define green investments is expected to enter into force in 2021, but some experts want it to be used immediately to inform stimulus packages aimed at dealing with the social and economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic
COVID-19 may have reduced emissions in the short-term, but much more needs to happen to slash fossil fuel use to meet climate targets
Making buildings greener and more energy efficient makes environmental and economic sense if the right financing solutions are used, says Thomas Geiselbrecht, Financing Solution Partner, Siemens Financial Services
To create demand for sustainable finance, governments should integrate climate criteria into their procurement and in how they draft policies and regulations
Recent Eurelectric analysis reveals the need to reconsider and improve a number of policies and priorities as part of the European Green Deal — the EU Emissions Trading System and an effective carbon pricing for non-ETS require careful consideration, says Petar Georgiev, Eurelectric Policy Advisor climate & e-mobility
The coronavirus is a deadly human tragedy, causing untold grief and pain. It is also rocking the world’s economies as people lose income and businesses struggle to stay afloat. Yet there are lessons to be learned for the climate crisis
The UK is often cited as a leader in the transition to a clean energy economy, even though some British public money still flows to oil and fossil gas projects overseas
The clean energy transition must be socially fair for everyone, not just those living in regions that are heavily reliant on coal for fuel and jobs, says Louise Sunderland from Regulatory Assistance Project
Europe is considering taking the bold step of introducing a border carbon adjustment tariff on goods imported from regions where carbon pricing is lacking, placing trade right in the middle of its climate ambitions
In an EU that aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, production of green hydrogen can be a new job creating industry, argues Tjisse Stelpstra, Member of the Council of the Province of Drenthe in the Northern Netherlands, providing an economic boost for regions like his and Europe as a whole.