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This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the 'Green FIDC,' a proposed asset-backed security designed to scale private finance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Brazil. The instrument adapts the existing Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios (FIDC) framework to transition risky greenfield projects into bankable businesses by securitizing project receivables, thereby reducing reliance on the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES).

This insight brief by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) argues that Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (R-PACE) financing can accelerate the adoption of net-zero energy (NZE) new construction in the United States. By attaching financing to the property rather than the owner, R-PACE addresses key market barriers such as high up-front capital costs and the split incentive between builders and homebuyers.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) proposes a new financial vehicle called the Clean Energy Investment Trust (CEIT) to reduce the cost of renewable energy by better aligning project cashflows with the risk profiles of different investors. By unbundling the cashflows of wind and solar projects and targeting long-term, liability-hedging institutional investors, the authors argue that the cost of wind-generated electricity could be reduced by 15-17% compared to traditional utility financing.

This document provides the technical annexes for the Renewable Energy Scale-Up Facility (RESF), detailing the financial modeling, assumptions, and expected impacts of a proposed USD 100 million equity fund designed to scale up wind and solar projects in developing regions, particularly Latin America.

This executive summary by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the role of payment security mechanisms in mitigating off-taker risk to attract foreign investment for India's renewable energy targets. It argues that current mechanisms are inadequate and lack transparency, and proposes a framework for the Indian government to better demonstrate risk coverage to investors.

This technical paper examines off-taker risk in India's renewable energy sector, specifically the risk that public sector distribution companies (DISCOMs) will fail to make timely payments. The authors propose a transparent methodological framework for government-sponsored payment security mechanisms (PSMs) to attract foreign investment, arguing that existing mechanisms lack transparency and adequate risk coverage.

This report, commissioned by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network and drafted by Dalberg Global Development Advisors, provides design options for the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) MSME Program. It identifies barriers preventing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries from accessing climate finance and proposes solutions across policy, knowledge, and financial product design. The report emphasizes the need for intermediaries to deliver finance efficiently and suggests a pilot phase to test these approaches before full-scale implementation.

The report details the design and pilot of the Energy Savings Insurance (ESI) instrument, aimed at stimulating energy efficiency investments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by mitigating the risk of underperformance. It focuses on a 2015 pilot in Mexico's agro-industry sector and outlines a replication strategy for Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adaptation Facility (ASCAF) is a proposed 'value chain financing' mechanism designed to catalyze private investment in climate resilience for small- and medium-sized agricultural producers in low- and middle-income countries. Administered by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and backed by donor-funded first-loss guarantees, the facility aims to enable agribusiness corporations to provide medium- to long-term loans and technical assistance to their suppliers for climate-adaptive investments.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines design options for the Private Sector Facility (PSF) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to better mobilize private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation. It argues that addressing both policy and financing risks through innovative instruments is essential to closing the green financing gap.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates federal policies to support India's goal of doubling renewable energy capacity to 55,000 MW by 2017. It compares existing subsidies—such as generation based incentives and viability gap funding—against proposed debt-related policies, concluding that low-cost, long-term debt is the most cost-effective long-term strategy, though it faces shortS short-term budgetary constraints due to high initial capital outlay.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes how California should allocate an estimated $2.75 billion in Proposition 39 funds to support energy efficiency and clean energy projects in K-12 schools and public buildings. The analysis suggests that funds should target deep energy-saving projects that districts cannot finance independently, rather than economical projects like lighting retrofits, and should be paired with technical assistance to help districts vet proposals and navigate financing options.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the financing gaps and technical barriers facing K-12 school districts in California to recommend strategies for allocating Proposition 39 funds. The authors argue that because private capital is currently available at low interest rates, Proposition 39 funds should be used as supplemental grants for deep energy-saving projects and as technical assistance, rather than as primary financing for short-payback projects that districts can already afford.

This report, the final part of a five-part series by WWF South Africa, SinCo, Carbon Tracker, and Trucost, synthesizes research on the financial risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions and water scarcity for institutional investors in South Africa. It argues that many investors are 'universal owners' whose returns depend on the overall health of the economy, making them vulnerable to systemic risks from climate change and water stress. The report finds that carbon and water risks are largely mispriced in the market, with significant exposure in the energy and mining sectors, and calls for regulatory interventions and a shift toward low-carbon, water-responsible investment strategies to avoid stranded assets and ensure long-term returns.

The Smart Garage Charrette Report, published by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2008, outlines a vision for integrating electrified vehicles (xEVs), net-zero buildings, and a smart renewable grid. Based on a design workshop (charrette) involving 80 experts from 25 organizations, the report identifies a near-term path toward 'V1G' (smart one-way charging) as a faster, less complex first step than 'V2G' (bi-directional charging). It details the ecosystem's stakeholders—automakers, utilities, charging providers, connectors, and consumers—and proposes specific projects to overcome critical barriers such as uncertain consumer demand, high battery costs, and fragmented utility regulation.

The BDMG Regenerative Agriculture Fund is a financial instrument designed by the Development Bank of Minas Gerais (BDMG) to support farmers in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in transitioning to regenerative agriculture (RA). Developed through the FiCS Innovation Lab with technical support from the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and other partners, the fund addresses barriers such as high risk perception, lack of technical knowledge, and limited access to affordable credit. The instrument employs a tri-partite structure combining credit guarantees, technical assistance, and a production support fund to mitigate the financial and productivity risks associated with the transition to RA.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative examines how California's Cap and Trade Program, established under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32), influences investment decisions in the cement industry. Through financial modeling and stakeholder interviews, the authors analyze the impact of carbon pricing on three primary abatement strategies: energy efficiency, fuel switching, and the blending of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The study finds that while carbon prices make emissions reductions more financially attractive, significant non-price barriers—including short corporate payback period requirements, fuel supply uncertainty, and prescriptive customer procurement standards—often prevent firms from pursuing cost-effective abatement options.

This fact sheet from Energy Innovation outlines how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides foundational support for decarbonizing the United States building sector through rebates, tax credits, and funding for building codes, while emphasizing the need for complementary state, local, and Tribal government actions to ensure successful implementation.

This industry brief by GreenCape examines the potential for electricity wheeling in the Western Cape, South Africa. It outlines the financial and technical mechanisms that allow independent power producers (IPPs) to transport energy across Eskom or municipal grids to end customers. The document identifies a significant market opportunity for new renewable energy investment in the province and discusses the regulatory, financial, and capacity-related barriers that currently limit the uptake of wheeling, while highlighting emerging solutions like virtual wheeling.

This fact sheet describes a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of the Taïba N’Diaye wind farm in Senegal, commissioned by the Bureau Opérationnel du Suivi (BOS) of Plan Émergent Sénégal. The analysis compares the wind farm's financial and societal performance against coal and heavy fuel oil (HFO) power generation, incorporating climate risks and external effects that are typically omitted from traditional financial analyses.