Toward Paris Alignment: How the Multilateral Development Banks Can Better Support the Paris Agreement

The document asserts that the current 'Climate Finance Paradigm' used by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)—which focuses on maximizing finance for mitigation and adaptation—is insufficient. It proposes a 'Paris Alignment Paradigm' that requires MDBs to align their entire portfolios with the Paris Agreement, mainstream adaptation across all operations, and assist countries in strengthening their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The report emphasizes that MDBs and shareholders should commit to a zero-emissions energy sector and overall net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, working with clients to find renewable alternatives to emission-intensive activities.

• Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) currently operate under a 'Climate Finance Paradigm' focused on the volume of finance provided and mobilized for climate mitigation and adaptation, but this approach is insufficient given the urgency of emissions reductions.
• The proposed 'Paris Alignment Paradigm' requires MDBs to go beyond maximizing climate finance by aligning their full pipelines and portfolios with Paris Agreement requirements, integrating adaptation into all operations, and supporting the development of stronger Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• To align with climate scenarios suggesting net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, MDBs and their shareholders should adopt policies targeting a zero-emissions energy sector and net-zero CO2 emissions by mid-century, focusing on decarbonization pathways and renewable alternatives.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2018). Toward Paris Alignment: How the Multilateral Development Banks Can Better Support the Paris Agreement. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/toward-paris-alignment-how-the-multilateral-development-banks-can-better

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Toward Paris Alignment: How the Multilateral Development Banks Can Better Support the Paris Agreement. 2018. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/toward-paris-alignment-how-the-multilateral-development-banks-can-better.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Toward Paris Alignment: How the Multilateral Development Banks Can Better Support the Paris Agreement |date=6 December 2018 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/toward-paris-alignment-how-the-multilateral-development-banks-can-better |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2018toward, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Toward Paris Alignment: How the Multilateral Development Banks Can Better Support the Paris Agreement}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2018}, month = dec, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/toward-paris-alignment-how-the-multilateral-development-banks-can-better}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }