Despite the massive economic downfall as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, there remains strong demand for renewable energy assets, suggesting the sector will not suffer as it did after the 2008 recession
The idea of a green economic recovery after Covid-19 is gaining increasing interest
GOOD NEWS
The renewables sector is showing much more resilience than it did during the economic crisis of ten years ago. Renewable energy funds are performing better than the wider market during the Covid-19 crisis
BAD NEWS
Life is likely to get tougher for new project development as supply chain disruption make investors more likely to favour operational facilities and projects with revenue certainty, such as those in markets with government guaranteed power purchase prices
KEY QUOTE
The big question is the behaviour of multilateral finance agencies, such as the World Bank, and the role of other development finance institutions in providing risk mitigation tools to investors in renewables ...
Try FORESIGHT - 30 days for €29
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
The best way to persuade treasuries and heads of state to put the environment and clean energy at the heart of packages aimed at stimulating economies after the coronavirus is to focus on debt-related risks, argues Brook Riley from Rockwool Group
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
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
Investments spent on dealing with the social and economic impacts of Covid-19 in Europe should focus on achieving the highest value outcomes in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, insists Simon Skillings from think tank E3G
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
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