Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) could make billions more in investment capital available for sustainable development. That is the astounding finding of a recent report, commissioned by the G20. Given that MDBs’ whole purpose is to maximise the impact of their funds, their donors are wondering why they have left money on the table. Donors and … Continue reading Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development
Category: climate finance
“Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”
Milena Buchs, Professor of Sustainable Welfare at the University of Leeds and Giulio Mattioli, Research Fellow, Department of Transport Planning at the Technical University of Dortmund in an article on The Conversation website argue that a carbon tax on air travel would be much more progressive, they would burden richer people more than poorer people … Continue reading “Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”
World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending
Controversy follows the president of the World Bank, David Malpass. Last month, the former US vice-president Al Gore led calls for the president of the bank to resign after he avoided a journalist’s questions on climate science. Malpass, nominated for the position by the Trump administration, later apologised but his apparent climate denial followed years … Continue reading World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending
Where is the help? Damages to poor countries are expected to increase as the world heats up further
The world’s most vulnerable countries are preparing to take on the richest economies with a demand for urgent finance. This “loss and damage” issue gained momentum since COP26 in Glasgow last year. Fiona Harvey writes on The Guardian website howe vulnerable many countries are. Vulnerable countries demand global tax to pay for climate-led loss … Continue reading Where is the help? Damages to poor countries are expected to increase as the world heats up further
WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets
As we wonder about the impact of carbon offsets, the World Economic Forum provides a podcast that should give us a wider view of their benefits. Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at the WEF, discusses carbon offsets with Rachel Kyte, co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative and with Dharsono Hartono, UpLink Top Innovator, and … Continue reading WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets
Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions
For decades, scientists have called for a transition to clean energy to prevent the worst impacts of climate change but fears that such a transition would be costly and harm the economy have held back progress. However, a study from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Post-Carbon Transition published this week shows the reverse: an … Continue reading Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions
African leaders frustrated that leaders from the north avoided COP27 preparatory meeting on adaptation
With two months to go until COP27, leaders of African countries had hoped to take advantage of the Rotterdam meeting held this last week to summon international attention on adaptation concerns. Well, they were disappointed. Laurence Caramel discusses the situation in an article on the Le Monde website. African leaders denounce rich countries' absence … Continue reading African leaders frustrated that leaders from the north avoided COP27 preparatory meeting on adaptation
Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), formed ahead of last year's UN climate conference in Scotland, is part of a larger network called Race to Zero that seeks to rally companies, cities, financial institutions and other civil society groups to steer the world to a climate-safe future. To be a member of GFANZ … Continue reading Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club
The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts
Many of the world's biggest banks are falling far short of aligning their practices with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the Earth's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a new report from the IIGCC warns. The report is discussed in an Associated Press news item on The Independent website. Banks far … Continue reading The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts
We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need
Minimum energy performance standards for buildings coupled with generous tax rebates for renovations – 110% in Italy – could unlock the energy service company market in Europe. Sonja van Renssen discusses the main issues with Jessica Stromback in an article on the Energy Monitor website. Expect a “seismic shift” on energy efficiency – Jessica … Continue reading We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 