International Public Finance Explained: Concepts and trends

This guide from the International Institute for Sustainable Development explains the role and trends of international public finance in the energy sector, specifically focusing on the activities of G20 governments and multilateral development banks (MDBs).

• International public finance for energy projects from G20 governments and major multilateral development banks (MDBs) exceeds USD 100 billion annually. This finance takes the form of grants, loans, guarantees, or equity stakes and is delivered via MDBs, export credit agencies, and development finance institutions.
• There has been a significant decrease in international public finance for fossil fuels by G20 and MDBs, falling from USD 151 billion in 2016 to USD 37 billion in 2024. Conversely, clean energy finance now exceeds fossil fuel finance, though it saw a slight decrease from USD 54 billion in 2023 to USD 47 billion in 2024.
• The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), comprising 40 signatories including some G20 members, has contributed to a reduction in fossil fuel finance by up to 78% compared to 2019–2021 levels. However, the redirection of these funds into clean energy has been slow, with less than one-fifth of the funds redirected.
• The Public Finance for Energy Database, managed by Oil Change International, tracks transaction-level data from G20 export credit agencies, development finance institutions, and major MDBs. As of 2024, the database includes over USD 1.5 trillion across nearly 13,000 transactions dating back to 2013.

APA

Picciariello,, N. D. (2026). International Public Finance Explained: Concepts and trends. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/international-public-finance-explained-concepts-trends

Chicago

Picciariello,, Nhat Do,Angela. International Public Finance Explained: Concepts and trends. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/international-public-finance-explained-concepts-trends.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Picciariello, |first1=Nhat Do,Angela |title=International Public Finance Explained: Concepts and trends |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=16 April 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/international-public-finance-explained-concepts-trends |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{picciariello2026international, author = {Picciariello,, Nhat Do,Angela}, title = {{International Public Finance Explained: Concepts and trends}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/explainer/international-public-finance-explained-concepts-trends}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }