Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2019

Annual tracked climate finance averaged USD 579 billion in 2017/2018, a 25% increase from 2015/2016, though it remains far below the USD 1.6 trillion to USD 3.8 trillion annually needed for energy system transitions. Renewable energy remains the largest destination for finance, while low-carbon transport is growing rapidly. Private finance accounts for 56% of total flows, with a strong domestic preference as 76% of investment stays within the sourcing country.

• Annual tracked climate finance reached a record high of USD 612 billion in 2017, before dropping 11% to USD 546 billion in 2018. Over the 2017/2018 period, annual flows averaged USD 579 billion, marking a USD 116 billion (25%) increase compared to 2015/2016.
• Current investment levels are insufficient for a 1.5 ˚C scenario. Supply-side energy system investments alone are estimated to require between USD 1.6 trillion and USD 3.8 trillion annually from 2016 to 2050, while adaptation costs are estimated at USD 180 billion annually from 2020 to 2030.
• Renewable energy is the primary sector for climate finance, receiving USD 337 billion annually (58% of total flows). Low-carbon transport is increasing rapidly, with average annual finance rising 54% from 2015/2016 levels to USD 141 billion in 2017/2018.
• Private finance represents approximately 56% of total climate finance, averaging USD 326 billion annually in 2017/2018. Within this, 85% is directed toward renewable energy and 14% toward low-carbon transport.
• Public finance averaged USD 253 billion annually in 2017/2018 (44% of total commitments), with transport as the largest beneficiary at USD 94 billion (37% of the public total).
• Mitigation dominates climate finance, accounting for 93% of total flows (USD 537 billion annually). Adaptation finance represents 5% of flows, averaging USD 30 billion annually in 2017/2018.
• There is a strong domestic preference in climate investment, with 76% of tracked finance invested in the same country where it was sourced. Finance for non-OECD countries increased to USD 356 billion, representing 61% of global flows.
• Market-rate debt is the most used financial instrument, averaging USD 316 billion annually, while total debt (including low-cost project debt) averaged USD 380 billion, or 66% of all tracked finance.

APA

Climate Policy Initiative (2019). Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2019. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/global-landscape-of-climate-finance-2019/

Chicago

Climate Policy Initiative. Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2019. 2019. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/global-landscape-of-climate-finance-2019/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Policy Initiative |title=Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2019 |date=7 November 2019 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/global-landscape-of-climate-finance-2019/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatepolicyinitiative2019global, author = {{Climate Policy Initiative}}, title = {{Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2019}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/global-landscape-of-climate-finance-2019/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }