With the current architecture for climate finance, cities are being left out

The current architecture of the institutions and funds that provide climate finance is, however, not designed to work at a sub-national level. Therefore across the globe, cities are being left out. This situation is even more pertinent for African cities as Africa is both the fastest urbanising continent in the world and among the most … Continue reading With the current architecture for climate finance, cities are being left out →

While “loss and damage” is gaining more attention ahead of COP27, who’s going to pay?

Loss and damage has been at the heart of much media reporting about the upcoming Cop27 climate talks in Egypt in November. With many disasters recently, such as the flooding in Pakistan, the importance of loss and damage compensation gains attention. Isabella Kaminski writes on the Climate Change News about the challenges involved. She notes that … Continue reading While “loss and damage” is gaining more attention ahead of COP27, who’s going to pay? →

“Debt-for-climate swaps” to help low- and middle-income countries lower their vulnerability

With carefully designed debt-for-climate swaps and support from international institutions, developing countries could expand their finance for desperately needed climate mitigation and adaptation actions and remove some of their heavy debt burden. Soyoung Oh, Junior Research Fellow, The Fletcher School at Tufts University discusses her views in an article on The Conversation website. How … Continue reading “Debt-for-climate swaps” to help low- and middle-income countries lower their vulnerability →

New report on overhauling investment governance for a just zero-carbon future

The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) recently released a briefing titled “International Investment Governance and Achieving a Just Zero-Carbon Future,” available in both English and French. The briefing discusses how the current international investment regime is hostile to states’ ability to address the climate crisis and will deter, delay or water down states’ climate-related … Continue reading New report on overhauling investment governance for a just zero-carbon future →

France’s largest bank under pressure to stop financing the development of fossil fuels

NGOs which previously took the French government to court have taken steps towards a lawsuit against the bank, the world's leading financer of oil and gas majors. Stéphane Mandard discusses latest developments in an article on the English section of the Le Monde website. BNP Paribas warned to stop financing fossil fuels and 'climate … Continue reading France’s largest bank under pressure to stop financing the development of fossil fuels →

Twenty high risk countries threatening to halt debt payments

The countries want their collective $685 billion in debts forgiven so the money can be invested in climate projects. Lisa Friedman discusses latest developments in an article on The New York Times website. 20 Nations at High Risk From Global Warming Might Halt Debt Payments Twenty countries most vulnerable to climate change are considering … Continue reading Twenty high risk countries threatening to halt debt payments →

The transition to “smart cities”

Europe is making good progress in getting urban areas into the digital age. A survey in 10 EU member states found that 88% of cities have started their digital transformation and that 69% were planning to invest in tech solutions in the next three years. Molly Killeen discusses latest developments in an article on the … Continue reading The transition to “smart cities” →

Scaling up private and public investment is crucial in financing the zero-carbon transition

Ian Thomson, Director of the Centre for Responsible Business, University of Birmingham writes on The Conversation website about how investments can be directed to have the most decisive impacts. What are your views? Financing the transition to net-zero – here’s how the EU will advise investors where to put their money Ahead of next … Continue reading Scaling up private and public investment is crucial in financing the zero-carbon transition →

France’s energy transition: funding needs to significantly increase to meet long-term goals

According to the Institute for Climate Economics, households, companies and the government would have to invest between €13 billion and €30 billion per year between 2021 and 2030 to stay on course for carbon neutrality. Audrey Garric discusses in an artlcle on the Le Monde website. France needs to dramatically boost spending to achieve … Continue reading France’s energy transition: funding needs to significantly increase to meet long-term goals →

A group of 10 major economies are building momentum to scale-up climate finance by reforming development banks, starting with the World Bank

A group of 10 countries led by the US and Germany have presented the bank’s management with a plan to reform the institution this week. Chloé Farand discusses latest developments in an article on the Climate Change News website. US, Germany back ‘fundamental reform’ of World Bank to scale climate finance A group of … Continue reading A group of 10 major economies are building momentum to scale-up climate finance by reforming development banks, starting with the World Bank →