Search Climate Insights Directory

The paper evaluates Phase I (2011–2015) of the CERC Advanced Coal Technology Consortium, noting that while it helped build mutual trust between the U.S. and China, administrative and technical differences across borders hinder effective cooperation. It recommends increasing private sector engagement, focusing on CCS demonstration projects, and consolidating resources to improve the performance of Phase II (2016–2020).

The guide details five financial tools to facilitate energy efficiency: on-bill financing, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) models, loan guarantees, and loan loss reserve funds. It highlights how public investment can reduce lender risk to mobilize private capital, providing specific examples from the United States, Canada, and China.

The paper estimates annual global transport capital investment between $1.4 trillion and $2.1 trillion, noting that private investment accounts for approximately 58% of the total. It highlights a disparity in investment sources between high-income countries, where private investment dominates, and middle- and low-income countries, where public investment is slightly more prevalent. The authors argue that leveraging private investment and public resources is essential for transitioning to low-carbon transport, particularly in rapidly urbanizing developing nations.

The report advocates for a strategic approach to climate adaptation where private sector interests align with the needs of vulnerable communities in developing countries. It posits that community risks are business risks, and companies can gain a competitive edge by developing climate-resilient products and services. While a survey of United Nations Global Compact and UNEP 'Caring for Climate' signatories shows that 86% of respondents see adaptation as a business opportunity, most companies lack comprehensive strategies due to difficulties in integrating long-term scientific data into short-term business planning. The document outlines specific steps for companies to integrate adaptation into core strategic planning and for governments to stimulate markets through financial and risk-reduction incentives, emphasizing that private action complements but does not replace essential public investment.

The paper examines 27 PPCFIs representing US$41.3 billion in capitalization, finding that limited private sector co-investment is driven by small deal pipelines, inadequate scale, and rigid institutional mandates. It recommends that donor governments foster climate-friendly markets, increase private sector awareness, and streamline access processes to better mobilize the trillions of dollars required for green infrastructure in developing countries.

The document outlines the outcomes of a roundtable hosted by WRI and IIED, identifying a mutual desire for collaboration between donor agencies and the private sector to achieve sustainable development. It highlights significant barriers, including a lack of mutual understanding, donor risk-aversion, and a dearth of evidence on effective business models. The summary proposes five key opportunities for progress: creating learning platforms, developing best-practice guidance, establishing shared performance metrics, encouraging high-risk financial innovation, and leveraging the post-2015 development agenda to foster transformational partnerships.