Climate Finance

Climate governance has become a global issue, and it has proved difficult for any government to tackle this issue on its own. The role of civil society is most crucial, particularly in ensuring transparency and accountability in climate finance. Under certain international agreements, a huge amount of money is channeled in climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh through the climate financing mechanism. This is a tempting opportunity for a country routinely ranked first in the corruption index. This paper explores whether the growing involvement of various non-state actors in climate financing, under the dominant mechanism, creates a new ground for corruption together with the state actors. The paper aimed at helping ensure that climate finance decisions and actions are conducted with transparency, accountability, and integrity to prevent corruption and misuse of funds from undermining climate objectives. The main objective of the paper is to increase the capacity of stakeholder...

The Conference of Parties COP27 has focused on adaptation on SIDS and Africa, strengthening resilience of local vulnerable populations, Land restoration of multiple global crises, including biodiversity loss and climate change, by supporting access to engaged NDCs of the LDC and SIDS via small grants and big impacts to investing on local climate actions. This Paper focused on the review method that was mentioned in the research design. Moreover, significant of COP27 to achieve Global Goal, Adaptation, and goal of Paris Agreement to evaluate GCF access modalities, including Request for Proposals (RFP), Simplified Approval Process (SAP), and Direct Access modalities for the purposes of engaging multi-stockholders to drive GHG mitigation and adaptation, food security, biodiversity conservation, and desertification. The GCF’s Readiness PSP has a critical role to take toward NDC/NAP implementation and investment in climate action at COP27. Also, the transparency framework, implementation of domestic policy, and decision-making at the national level were further ambitions of the Rio Conventions. With regards to achieving the above goals, to analyze the comprehensive approach to channeling funds into sustainable sectors in their countries. In next sections, we will briefly discuss the COP27 Agenda and main activities, as well as the GCF pledged as a financial mechanism of the UNFCCC for least-developing countries and the African continent.

Keywords: Green Climate Fund, COP, NDC and NAP, Rio Conventions, Paris Agreement, Access Modality

Abstract

Climate finance is essential for global mitigation and adaptation efforts, yet accountability mechanisms often fail to ensure effective allocation and compliance. Traditional decision-making models struggle to explain inconsistencies in climate finance commitments, where actors simultaneously pledge ambitious goals while maintaining conflicting investments. This paper introduces Quantum Decision Theory (QDT) as a novel framework for understanding these paradoxes. Drawing from quantum mechanics, QDT models decision-making dynamics such as the superposition of commitments, interference effects in policy choices, and entanglement of stakeholder interests. By framing climate finance accountability through QDT, this study reveals how ambiguous commitments persist until subjected to “measurement” by regulatory enforcement, public scrutiny, or market forces. Furthermore, interference effects illustrate how new funding mechanisms, such as the Loss and Damage Fund, can unintentionally disrupt prior commitments. Finally, entanglement highlights how financial decisions are interdependent, requiring collaborative governance structures to ensure collective accountability. The paper proposes quantum-inspired solutions, including real-time disclosure mechanisms, blockchain-powered financial tracking, and adaptive enforcement strategies to enhance transparency and ensure climate commitments translate into measurable action. By integrating QDT into climate finance governance, this study advances a more rigorous accountability framework suited for decision-making under deep uncertainty.

World Bank Working Papers are published to communicate the results of the Bank's work to the development community with the least possible delay. The manuscript of this paper therefore has not been prepared in accordance with the procedures appropriate to formally edited texts. Some sources cited in this paper may be informal documents that are not readily available. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent.

The integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into fixed-income investing has gained momentum, yet investors remain hesitant due to behavioral biases, regulatory uncertainties, liquidity constraints, and market accessibility concerns. This paper examines the role of loss aversion in discouraging ESG bond adoption, highlighting how investors perceive these instruments as riskier than conventional fixed-income securities despite evidence of comparable financial performance. The study explores the impact of liquidity challenges, including high transaction costs, limited secondary market activity, and price volatility, which contribute to investor reluctance. Regulatory uncertainty and inconsistent ESG reporting standards further exacerbate hesitancy, as investors struggle with greenwashing concerns and a lack of standardized evaluation metrics. The paper also discusses how reframing ESG bonds as risk mitigation tools, rather than purely ethical investments, can shift investor perceptions. The role of financial advisors, institutional investors, and policymakers in altering the investment narrative is analyzed, alongside behavioral finance strategies such as nudging, incentives, and enhanced transparency to counteract psychological biases. Additionally, potential market mechanisms and policy interventions aimed at improving ESG bond liquidity, reducing transaction costs, and fostering regulatory clarity are explored. Technological advancements, including blockchain and artificial intelligence, are identified as tools to enhance transparency and credibility within ESG fixed-income markets. The findings suggest that overcoming behavioral barriers and structural inefficiencies is essential for increasing investor confidence and accelerating ESG bond market growth. By aligning sustainability objectives with financial risk management, ESG bonds can serve as both an effective investment vehicle and a driver of global sustainable development.

Climate justice needs to be at the heart of the COP27 negotiations in Sharm El Sheikh. Climate justice is not just a financial transaction to protect the environment. It needs to be seen as the protection of the most vulnerable in society after centuries of resource exploitation. African countries disproportionately face impacts of climate change on their environments, their economies, their resources, and their infrastructure. This leads to greater vulnerability and increased exposure to the negative effects of a changing climate. In this article, we highlight the importance of climate justice and its role within the UN negotiations, and ultimately in concrete action. We discuss current climate impacts across key sectors in the African region, with a focus on health, infrastructure, food and water scarcity, energy, and finance. All sectors are affected by climate change. They are interconnected and under threat. This triggers a ripple effect, where threats in one sector have a knoc...

A coordinated global effort is urgently needed to address climate change, safeguard vulnerable communities, and ensure a livable planet for future generations. The time to act is now, i.e. as soon as possible (March 2025). Required -and most effective actions are given in the article.

Table of ConTenTs iv Climate Change and the IDB: Building Resilience and Reducing Emissions abbreviaTions Bus rapid transit system Andean subregion Climate change Climate change adaptation Caribbean subregion Climate Change and Sustainability Division Central America and Mexico subregion Conditional credit line investment project Climate investment funds Carbon dioxide

After decades-long advocacy by developing countries, the establishment of a Loss and Damage (L&D) fund during COP27 was monumental. With the fund still in its infancy, we stress the need to understand the differentiation between the types of finance that are suitable for other forms of climate action from those required for addressing loss and damage. We consider potential applications of the funding in the fields of water resources, energy, transport, human rights and human security. Our sectoral analysis allows us to identify both some of the innovative ways in which loss and damage finance could build the climate resilience of societies while also encouraging the transition to cleaner forms of energy, transport and agriculture. We also suggest that loss and damage finance should be delivered in a way that is attentive to and able to redress some of the root causes of vulnerability while also providing developing countries with the support they most need in the face of climate imp...

The Negotiations under the Climate Change International Regime (UNFCCC) have been occurring since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Annual meetings (COPs) started in 1995 involving representatives from the states that are part of the United Nations, scientists, Businesses, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and activists, sometimes agreed on deals that were celebrated when ratified (e.g., Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement), but that in practice were not capable of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), which cause the global warming. An analysis of Business as an International Relations (IR) actor and its share in the climate crisis is made, and possible ways of involving them more directly, formally, and effectively in the International Negotiations are addressed. The thesis analyses these negotiations dynamics with focus on the Energy and Finance industries and makes parallels with the Tobacco and Opioids industries’ behaviours. The analysis framework is based on the Harvard Negotiation Project, modified according to the Krasner’s International Regimes model.  The investigation main objective is producing recommendations that could increase the effectiveness of the Climate International Negotiations. The Central Hypothesis is that relying on the current UNFCCC Negotiations process indefinitely without changes will not generate the expected results, and that these changes must focus on the root causes of the GHG emissions, which are economic. Companies, particularly the transnational ones, are important actors in Economy, and they must be considered explicitly as part of the problem, and a fundamental part of the GHG emissions reduction effort. 

Climate Crisis, International Negotiations, Business in International Relations, International Regime, COP, UNFCCC, Negotiation Compliance, Climate Finance, Energy Transition.

Purpose: This study explores the adoption of green retail banking practices, focusing on sustainable branch operations and consumer-oriented digital solutions, aiming to assess their environmental and operational benefits. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research uses a qualitative approach, reviewing literature and case studies of green banking initiatives, including paperless transactions, mobile banking, and energy-efficient systems, to analyse their environmental and financial impacts. Findings: Sustainable practices like paperless withdrawals, mobile apps for account opening, and energy-efficient technologies reduce costs and environmental impact. Promoting digital banking services also lowers the carbon footprint while enhancing customer convenience and satisfaction.Originality/Value: This study provides valuable insights into sustainable banking practices and their effects on efficiency and customer loyalty, offering actionable recommendations for banks to enhance their green initiatives.

This book explores the much talked about but less understood issue of sustainability reporting, in a global context, linking it to the application of blockchain and other emerging technologies. It provides a transnational platform to examine the experiences of investors, researchers, academicians, and policymakers as they confront these concerns across a variety of industries and countries, thus offering bestpractice guidance to assess the technological landscape and to model sustainable business initiatives. It offers relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical research findings. Further, it argues that in order to reduce "carbon footprints" globally, by reporting all their emissions through a single blockchain platform, companies can create a standardized space for data to be collected and tracked reliably, allowing for meaningful measurements. The book benchmarks and analyses sustainability performance with respect to numerous laws, norms, codes, performance standards, and voluntary initiatives. It demonstrates how the organization influences and is influenced by expectations about sustainable development and emphasizes the link between financial and non-financial performance, enabling external stakeholders to understand the organization's true value, along with tangible and intangible assets. It will enable readers to increase their understanding of the potential risks and opportunities and avoid environmental, social, and governance failures. The book provides insight into existing research, practice, and outcomes that could clarify and promote the state of the art on themes such as the drivers for sustainability reporting, environmental, social, and governance goals, the influence of blockchain on sustainability reporting as well as the issues and challenges. The book will be a useful guide for scholars, researchers, students, practitioners, regulators, and policymakers alike.

W e are experiencing the future. The global average temperature over the past year has been 1.6°C higher than the pre-industrial average. June 2024 was the 13th consecutive month in which global average temperatures not just broke but shattered the record for the month. One factor is the recent El Niño, the periodic oceanic-atmospheric phenomenon that releases some of the massive heat stored in the oceans. However, the latest El Niño was nowhere as strong as the super El Niño of 2015-16, and yet the world is a lot warmer now. This suggests that the underlying cause for the extreme heat is relentless global warming due to greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, which trap heat equal to the energy of roughly nine Hiroshima bombs per second, or about 7,77,600 such bombs each day, year after year. Also deeply concerning is that the planet has begun warming a lot faster since 2010, at a staggering

This paper reviews the existing research on green finance. It identifies the important themes in the green finance literature, particularly, the strategies to increase green financing; efforts to make green investment profitable; promoting green financing using technology and policy, the role of regulators and financial institutions in the green finance agenda, and the challenges of green financing. Several cross-country observations about the challenges of green finance and solutions to green finance issues are documented. The findings show that green finance has the potential to make a significant difference in the environment, society and for climate change mitigation, but many challenges abound such as the lack of awareness about green finance, inconsistent definitions of green finance, lack of policy coordination for green financing, inconsistent policies, and lack of profitable incentives to investors and financial institutions who are willing to invest in climate change mitigation.

Insolvenzplanverfahren erleben seit Inkrafttreten des ESUG eine Renaissance. Die erweiterten Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten waren notwendig und sind wichtig, um komplexe gesellschaftsrechtliche Veränderungen bewerkstelligen zu können. Die Ausarbeitung eines Insolvenzplans stellt allerdings jedes Mal aufs Neue eine Herausforderung dar. Dabei regelt die InsO trotz zahlreicher Planvorschriften etliche Details nicht. Die Entscheidung des BGH vom 7. 5. 2015 (IX ZR 75/ 14) gibt der Praxis seit kurzem weitere wichtige Leitlinien. Sie zeigt insbesondere, dass Insolvenzpläne einer intensiven Prüfung durch die Gerichte unterliegen und deshalb die mancherorts geäußerte Sorge vor einem »Missbrauch« des Insolvenzplanverfahrens fernliegend ist (II. und III.). Zwei besonders relevante Problembereichebedingte Pläne nach § 249 InsO und formelle bzw. materielle Ausschlussklauseln werden sodann vertiefter untersucht (IV. und V.). Mit insgesamt 61 Paragraphen hat der Gesetzgeber das Insolvenzplanverfahren relativ umfangreich geregelt. Den Löwenanteil machen verfahrensrechtliche Vorschriften aus. Nur 13 Paragraphen äußern sich dazu, wie der Insolvenzplan zu gliedern ist und zu welchen Themen er Informationen bzw. Regelungen enthalten kann oder muss. Das ist relativ wenig, 1 sind die zu behandelnden betriebswirtschaftlichen und rechtlichen Themen meist vielschichtig und durch die vielen Beteiligten und betroffenen Rechtsgebiete nicht selten komplex. Nachdem in letzter Zeit umfangreiche Sanierungen mittels Insolvenzplan im Fokus standen, war abzusehen, dass sich der IX. Senat bei nächster Gelegenheit weiter zu inhaltlichen Details eines Insolvenzplans äußern wird. Eine solche Entscheidung liegt seit dem 7. 5. 2015 vor 2 . Die vielen Vorgaben, die der Senat macht, sind im Grundsatz zu begrüßen. Die Entscheidung zeigt allerdings auch, wie schwer es ist, einen Insolvenzplan zu entwerfen, der der gerichtlichen Überprüfung in bis zu drei Instanzen

This IFC SmartBook is a compilation of sixteen IFC SmartLessons that presents practical lessons learned by staff from across the IFC and the World Bank on approaches for engaging in agriculture that have led to success. Agribusiness is a crucial economic sector, for food security of course, for managing water stress and ecosystem services, but also as a source of employment in emerging markets. The report includes the following lessons. Sowing the seeds of sustainability : a case project with Unifrutti, IFC, and smallholder banana farmers in the Philippines, by Natalie Macawaris, Colin Taylor, and Carla Zamora-Galinato. Harvesting the fruits of your hard work, frustration, and patience : implementing an agribusiness project in Kandahar, Afghanistan, by Hazem Hanbal and Selcuk Tanatar. Taking Haitian agriculture to the cloud : implementing google apps for government at the ministry of agriculture, by Diego Arias and Nicolas Weber. Fish farmers meet new technology: raising the aquacul...

As the world calls for actions in response to the adverse impacts on the natural environment associated with climate change, the international capital market increasingly recognises the pertinent investment risks imposed on assets around the globe demanding more pertinent disclosures. Hong Kong, a special administrative region and the global financial centre of the most populous nation and second largest economy of the world, has strategised to synchronise with the international financial community. Under one country two systems, it reinforces financial regulatory measures on ESG disclosures by listed companies with the ambition to become a hub of green finance. However, a recent survey reveals sluggishness of these companies in complying with the disclosure guidelines pertinent to social and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, engagement with their stakeholders appears to remain insufficient despite its significance to facilitating a social and environmental accounting (SEA) process. Meanwhile, the city's recent social movement and turmoil generates grave concerns over its underlying social sustainability and even public health. This commentary suggests that a gap exists between: (a) the policy desire to position Hong Kong systemically as an international green finance hub that hinges upon harmonisation among local, international and governing stakeholders and (b) Hong Kong's apparent un-sustainability status. This dilemma is yet to be harmonised owing to inability to reach consensus among intergenerational stakeholders recurrently diverged over ideologies. Such relevance and implications for the international SEAJ community are articulated.

of Center for Ocean Solutions We are especially grateful for the support of USAID Mission staff throughout the Indo-Pacific who have provided consultation and feedback for the development of this report and accompanying materials. The INRM team would also like to thank our consultants, whose technical expertise and understanding of regional context guided development of this report: Margot Stiles and Kostantinos Stamoulis (Chapter 1) Jade Delevaux (Chapter 2) Rebecca Self and Laura Kozuszek (Chapter 3

ana maria loboguerrero, yu ling chang, michael morris, sebastian pedraza, wiebe smit, philip thornton, and shalika vyas • Transformation is required in complex food systems; the key is to identify the best levers to achieve change. • Food-system transformation has four major interlocking elements: rerouting systems into new trajectories; addressing climate impacts, thereby reducing risks; addressing new environmental issues, thereby lessening emissions; and realigning the 'enablers of change' such as policies, regulation, finance, and innovation. • This book proposes 11 specific, concrete actions within these four areas. • Achieving food-system transformation will require annual investments of US$1.3 trillion through the decade, with private-sector finance helping to fill current gaps. We envision a world where all people, including future generations, are well nourished and food-secure. This vision can be achieved through transformed food systems that sustainably manage current and future resources and stresses. Such food systems will be built by empowering people along the food value chain and strengthening their resilience to natural, social, and climate-related hazards, while contributing to emissions reductions, the capture of greenhouse gasses (GHGs), sustainable land use, and ecosystem and biodiversity protection (Figure .1). Ambitious targets must be achieved if the Paris Agreement and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be realised. Food and nutritional security targets are themselves challenging but are overlaid by the need to achieve global zero net emissions, with food systems requiring substantial emission reductions and carbon capture. In addition, global temperatures will 11

This paper is a summary of the keynote speech presented at the Conference. Its purpose is to analyse the importance of billionaires in the economy of the 21st century. The paper analyses three basic questions about the billionaires namely, their number, the cause of their existence and the consequences of that existence. The methodology of the paper is basically search of data and information online coupled with reasoning about the topic. We conclude that billionaires are few in number but their importance is rsing. They are explained by many factors, most important of all the intangible assets which govern the economy of the current times; and their social, economic and political importance cannot be underestimated. So, as a general conclusion we find that billionaires are a distinctive feature of the economy of the 21st century, and that they are here to stay, and, wthin a ever more interdependent world, they will survive as long as they will be considered a force of economic well...

Climate change indicators are a measurable and acceptable method of collecting evidence of changes in the Earth's climate throughout time. Thus, climate change indicators capture the total impact of climate change on all economic activities and their participants. These indicators are used by policymakers, researchers, and scientists to better understand the effects of climate change, including trends and patterns. Adequate understanding and monitoring of these indicators are critical for developing successful climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Climate change indicators are examined by combining data collection, measurement, and analysis with scientific observations. These analyses need the use of complex statistical techniques and models, as well as the participation of scientists with varying specialties, such as ecologists, climatologists, and meteorologists. The purpose of collecting climate change indicators is to understand current and future climatic trends, as well as to provide policymakers with trustworthy information for developing climate change adaptation strategies.

Climate change indicators are a measurable and accept
able method of collecting evidence of changes in the Earth's climate
throughout time. Thus, climate change indicators capture the total
impact of climate change on all economic activities and their partici
pants. These indicators are used by policymakers, researchers, and
scientists to better understand the effects of climate change, includ
ing trends and patterns. Adequate understanding and monitoring of
these indicators are critical for developing successful climate change
mitigation and adaptation strategies. Climate change indicators are
examined by combining data collection, measurement, and analysis
with scientific observations. These analyses need the use of complex
statistical techniques and models, as well as the participation of sci
entists with varying specialties, such as ecologists, climatologists,
and meteorologists. The purpose of collecting climate change indica
tors is to understand current and future climatic trends, as well as to
provide policymakers with trustworthy information for developing
climate change adaptation strategies.

This study explored the potential of parametric insurance solutions to enhance resilience among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, particularly in the context of climate change-related risks, such as droughts and floods. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of parametric insurance as a risk management strategy for smallholder farmers, focusing on its potential to provide timely payouts based on predefined climate triggers. The purpose of the research was to understand how parametric insurance could offer a viable alternative to traditional insurance, which is often inaccessible for smallholders due to cost, complexity, and other barriers. The literature review highlighted the challenges that smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe face in accessing conventional agricultural insurance products, such as affordability, lack of awareness, and inadequate infrastructure. It also examined the advantages of parametric insurance, including its ability to deliver faster payouts linked to measurable climatic events, thus providing a more accessible and reliable safety net. A mixed-methods research approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design and focused on a sample of 150 smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, selected through purposive and random sampling methods. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, insurance providers, and agricultural experts. Ethical considerations included ensuring informed consent, voluntary participation, and the confidentiality of respondents. The main findings revealed that while parametric insurance held significant potential for improving resilience, several challenges hindered its adoption, including limited awareness, trust issues, and affordability concerns. The study concluded that for parametric insurance to be effective, policy interventions, increased awareness campaigns, and partnerships among key stakeholders were necessary. Recommendations included strengthening institutional frameworks and providing targeted education on parametric insurance to improve uptake.

Sustainable Finance is a recent trend in the Banking sector. Financial institutions are giving preference to industries which have already transitioned to a greener economy or are actively working toward doing so, and they also promote eco-friendly investments. Fundamental and essential, sustainable finance enables us to set up the framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals effectively. Technology-driven banking solutions encourage financial inclusion by giving the direction to serve the unreached populations, encouraging economic growth and solidity. The basic purpose of this research is to explore the ways in which technology is supporting the long-term feasibility of the banking industry. When it comes to using technology to encourage sustainability, the banking industry is the foremost Player. Banks can help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), lessen their environmental impact, and improve operational efficiency by utilizing cutting-edge technologies. The study concluded that India can work on improving its position as a global leader in sustainable development by expanding green finance, improving regulatory support, applying technological advancements, and reassuring public awareness and engagement.

The financial risks and potential systemic impacts induced by climate change and the transition to a lowcarbon economy have become a central issue for both financial investors and their regulators. In this article, we develop a critical review of the empirical and theoretical literature concerning the impact of climaterelated risks on the price of financial assets. We first present the theoretical links between asset pricing and climate-related risks and develop a theory of how climate risk drivers transmit costs to firms and lead to asset price changes. We then discuss studies looking at past climate-related events, which show that both climate physical impacts and transition dynamics can trigger a revaluation of financial assets through multiple direct and indirect channels. Finally, we review the emerging literature that uses forward-looking methodologies to estimate future climate-related asset price changes, which suggests that climate financial risks can indeed have significant implications on financial stability.

The Global South is increasingly calling upon nations in the Global North to develop finance mechanisms to combat loss and damage. However, loss and damage remains underdeveloped due to the Global North’s current refusal to accept financial responsibility for climate harm occurring in vulnerable nations. Scholars have argued that the finance for loss and damage should be based upon the principle of reparations, but there is very limited research exploring how a reparations scheme should work. This article explores two existing reparations schemes: Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Australia’s National Re- dress scheme, to identify successful elements and limitations of these schemes. Based on this analysis, this article proposes that a climate reparations scheme should be informed by Indigenous voices and knowledge and focus on providing multiple forms of meaningful redress. The paper also finds that it is possible to develop a reparations scheme without necessarily imposing liability on the Global North. It argues that a scheme of this nature may result in the Global North being more willing to develop financing to combat loss and dam- age and start paving the way for meaningful climate reparations.

The concept of sustainability or green principle in business activities is not only confined to creating green products, green supply chains, green business operations or simply developing green HR policies but the concept embraces the whole green culture of a firm, where it becomes necessary to create green capital as well and invest in green projects through green financial instruments the firms can achieve their green objectives. Green investment (i.e. investing in green projects) also fosters the steady and sustained growth of businesses. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the global community. As governments, businesses, and individuals grapple with the urgency of reducing carbon emissions and the struggle for the transition to a sustainable future, green financing initiatives are inevitable. Managing climate transition risks through green financial instruments is an innovative and sustainable approach to financing projects that help mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. In the fiscal year 2023 budget of the Indian central government, there was a proposal to issue national green bonds valued at Rs 24,000 crore. The purpose of this bond issuance is to financially support public sector projects, with the ultimate goal of transitioning India into a low-carbon economy. Furthermore, this move is also expected to boost the growth of sustainable finance in the country. In this paper, an analytical study highlighting the carbon emission contribution of various sectors has been done and contrasted against global standards. The paper also highlights the technological improvements towards decarbonization, documents sector-wise net zero goals and also gives an account of the capex committed to energy-conservative technologies and renewable energy to reduce climate transition risk. In the above context, the research study also provides insights into the hurdles faced in implementing ESG goals and ways to overcome these hurdles to manage the transition risks.

Farmers of organic products deliver the value proposition of eating healthy foods and delivering ethically grown products through sustainable farming. This study is the lived experiences of Agri-Entrepreneurs in Mindanao in a qualitative and phenomenological approach to describe farmers marketing strategies for organic products. There were 16 organic farmersparticipants identified through purposeful sampling selected from among organic farmers operating for more than five years. IDI was conducted, triangulated through FGD, and analyzed using thematic analysis and dendrogram. The farmers grew and marketed organically grown rice, upland rice, mango, and vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and lettuce, among others. The sustainable farm practices observed include organic plant care, fruit care, organic pest, and disease controls, vermiculture, sustainable contour planting, greenhouse cut flowers, multi-layer air gardening, upland rice farming, and integrated plant-livestock farming. The marketing strategies development were categorized into structured, practiced by large farms, and unstructured by micro and small farmers. The distribution channels range from domestic retailers, supermarkets, trade fairs, and e-commerce platforms, to the internationalization of products to the USA, Japan, and Singapore. The themes that emerged included strategic marketing but went beyond to capture the support and backing of the government, provision of employment and livelihood opportunities, slow development of organic farming, modest marketability of organic produce, and barriers to organic farming success. It was found that organic farming is the primary source of income for farmers in raising their families including subsistence, children's education, and medical expenses, among others. The expertise of farmers is based on lifelong experiences with the help of the government and NGOs providing training and other resources including financial, machines, and technical support. Best practice in organic marketing products was not yet established. The findings imply that farmers in Mindanao whose expertise in organic farming is well established need professional help in developing marketing strategies to maximize the opportunities for organic products both locally and internationally.

This paper aims to survey the most recent theoretical and empirical literature on FinTech innovations in the financial sector. The purpose of this review is to investigate how FinTech Innovations are altering and reshaping the universe of financial service providers, and challenging traditional business models and infrastructures. This study summarizes the opportunities and challenges of FinTech Innovations and the implications to the legacy incumbent financial services companies. FinTech innovation fusions technological capabilities potentially provide innovative financial products and services to foster financial inclusion, streamline processes, and lower costs to clients.  FinTech can bring greater competition and diversity in financial services. Further, this research interprets the findings from the lens of institutional theory to advance the theoretical understanding of social changes facilitated by FinTech innovations in revolutionary areas in banking (lending, payment), security trading (real-time settlement, automated investment), and insurance (personalized experience).  The investigation points out the regulatory concerns highlighted in the scholarly works, suggesting collaboration is critical to enable multi-stakeholders to anticipate and foster pro-innovative, transparent regulations to deliver meaningful benefits to innovation and financial inclusion. Lastly, this review identifies future research areas to further enrich knowledge to create a future-proof, more efficient, and resilient financial ecosystem to enhance financial stability in the digital era.

Transparency Maldives, the National Contact of Transparency International in the Maldives, is a non-partisan organization that promotes collaboration, awareness raising and other initiatives to improve governance and eliminate corruption from the daily lives of people.

Sustainable finance, as a new and broader approach to
finance integrating environmental, social and governance
issues, is becoming increasingly important nowadays,1
particularly in the sub-fields of ‘green’ and ‘climate
finance’ (cf. Annex A). However, some actors claim that
“Financial markets were not designed to manage the planet”.2
From this assertion, we can wonder how far the current
financial system can be sustainable and can contribute
to the fight against climate change.
In this paper, we argue that, in fact, today’s mainstream
sustainable finance, and the accompanying accounting
systems, are based on a particular paradigm/model (a
neoclassical one); then, through a bio-economic analysis,
we show that it raises serious questions about its ability to
be aligned with strong ecological requirements (including
climate issues). Therefore, we analyse this paradigm,
associated with ‘fair value accounting’ (FVA), and show
that this model is by no means the only one: we discuss
the distinctions between this paradigm and what we call
‘traditional finance’ (Spremann, 2010), which is related
to ‘historical cost accounting’ (HCA). From this analysis,
we propose to reframe sustainable finance on the basis of
this other paradigm (the ‘traditional’ one), starting with
restructuring accounting systems. In this, we follow the
current demands to re-embedding sustainable finance in
integrated accounting systems capable of accompanying it
(EU High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance, 2018;
Fullwiler, 2016). This accounting redirection corresponds
in many respects to what the CARE (Comprehensive
Accounting in Respect of Ecology) model proposes, as
defined by Rambaud and Richard (2015).

Under conditions of heightened uncertainty, cities face enormous challenges in responding to contemporary crises. The contributors to this volume explore the conflictual dynamics that arise when urban futures are imagined, negotiated, and materialized. Through the lens of urban future-making, they provide a timely analysis of the conflicts that shape planning projects, architectural interventions, and new experiments in the built environment. Their analyses show how urban future-making is conditioned by conflicting governance arrangements, actor constellations, and power dynamics – offering rich insight into the critical role of professionals as key agents of urban transformation.

Global climate change presents deep and complex impacts to world cities requiring effective adaptation measures to be incorporated into the urban planning systems. As part of this study, five global cities namely New York City in North America, Cape Town in Africa, Tokyo in Asia, Sydney in Australia, and Oslo in Europe are explored to understand the best practices in climate change adaptation. All the case studies demonstrate specific strategies that are relevant to the climate challenges of a particular region, including sea-level rise, water shortage, natural catastrophes, wildfires, and flash floods. These include green infrastructure, WSUD, disaster preparedness plans, and community engagement programs. The insights thus point to the need for context-sensitive approaches that combine technology, policy, and community engagement to enhance urban resilience. These findings are valuable for policymakers and urban planners to identify ways to build climate-change-resilient cities in the context of emerging environmental concerns and global climate change.

İstanbul Politikalar Merkezi (İPM) demokratikleşmeden iklim değişikliğine, transatlantik ilişkilerden çatışma analizi ve çözümüne kadar, önemli siyasal ve sosyal konularda uzmanlığa sahip, çalışmalarını küresel düzeyde sürdüren bir politika araştırma kuruluşudur. İPM araştırma çalışmalarını üç ana başlık altında yürütmektedir: İstanbul Politikalar Merkezi-Sabancı Üniversitesi-Stiftung Mercator Girişimi, Demokratikleşme ve Kurumsal Reform, Çatışma Çözümü ve Arabuluculuk. İPM, 10 yılı aşkın süredir, karar alıcılara, kanaat önderlerine ve paydaşlara uzmanlık alanına giren konularda tarafsız analiz ve yenilikçi politika önerilerinde bulunmaktadır. www.ipc.sabanciuniv.edu İstanbul Politikalar Merkezi-Sabancı Üniversitesi-Stiftung Mercator Girişimi, Türkiye-Almanya ve Türkiye-Avrupa arasındaki akademik, politik ve sosyal bağları güçlendirmeyi hedeflemektedir. Ortaklığın kuruluş amacı, küreselleşen dünyada bilgi sahibi olma ve 21. yüzyılın koşullarıyla yüzleşebilmek için fikir ve insan alışverişinin önkoşul olduğu inancından kaynaklanmaktadır.

Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) is a global policy research institution that specializes in key social and political issues ranging from democratization to climate change, transatlantic relations to conflict resolution and mediation. IPC organizes and conducts its research under three main clusters: the Istanbul Policy Center-Sabancı University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative, Democratization and Institutional Reform, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation. For over a decade, IPC has provided decision makers, opinion leaders, and other major stakeholders with objective analyses and innovative policy recommendations. www.ipc.sabanciuniv.edu The Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program is the cornerstone of the IPC-Sabancı University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative. The program aims to strengthen the academic, political, and social ties between Turkey and Germany, as well as Turkey and Europe, by facilitating excellent scientific research and hands-on policy work. It is based on the belief that in an increasingly globalized world, the acquisition of knowledge, and an exchange of ideas and people are the preconditions for meeting the challenges of the 21 st century.

Extreme heat, often called a 'silent killer,' poses significant threats, particularly in Southeast Asia, where rapid urbanisation and increasing population density exacerbate vulnerability. Populations in this region face heightened risks of heat-related mortality and illness and diminished efficiency of the energy systems essential for cooling. Additionally, limited financial resources impede cities' adaptation efforts, establishing finance as a critical factor influencing vulnerability to extreme heat. Despite growing recognition of the necessity for climate adaptation and mitigation financing, as highlighted by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the outcomes of the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the adaptation finance gap continues to widen. This review article examines the literature on potential structural and non-structural adaptation strategies for extreme heat and identifies financing opportunities in Southeast Asia, thereby contributing to the Priority 3 agenda of the Sendai Framework. The review concludes with three recommendations: promoting assessment tools to increase adaptation finance and facilitate adoption, addressing issues of maladaptation related to adaptation finance, and aligning adaptation finance with long-term investment benefits.

In the wake of a compelling societal shift and the subsequent widespread response across multiple industries, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have emerged as a pivotal subject in scholarly literature. To gauge the significance of these contributions and facilitate objective exploration in future research, we employ bibliometric techniques. Thus, we identify the relevant authors and journals, and depict the evolution in the themes and pillars of the intellectual framework underpinning the topic. Our analysis covers 594 articles from 2007 to 2022, divided into two distinct periods. In the first period, the pillars are centered on contextualizing theories, the impact in terms of financial-related performance, and the ethical implications within the domain of corporate social responsibility. In the subsequent period, there is a notable progression towards reinforcing theoretical foundations. The pillars shift towards more practical implications, focusing on challenges associated with investing based on ESG criteria, guiding stakeholders in adapting to this paradigm, and addressing risks tied to its implementation. Financial performance, disclosure in reporting, and socially responsible investments remain crucial matters, and the analysis of the environmental issues outnumber social, and governance ones in both periods. We discuss the potential implications and further lines of research

Jann Lay (GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies) , Clara Brandi (German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)) , Imme Scholz (German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)) , Nancy Alexander (Heinrich Böll Stiftung North America) , Rainer Thiele (Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW)) , Ram Upendra Das (Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)) , Richard Klein (Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)) May 4, 2017 | Last updated: December 10, 2020 Tags: SDGs and Developement Cooperation

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) were key to reaching the Paris Agreement and will be instrumental in implementing it. Research was quick to identify the 'headline numbers' of NDCs: if these climate action plans were fully implemented, global mean warming by 2100 would be reduced from approximately 3.6 to 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels (Höhne et al.

The concept of sustainability or green principle in business activities is not only confined to creating green products, green supply chains, green business operations or simply developing green HR policies but the concept embraces the whole green culture of a firm, where it becomes necessary to create green capital as well and invest in green projects through green financial instruments the firms can achieve their green objectives. Green investment (i.e. investing in green projects) also fosters the steady and sustained growth of businesses. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the global community. As governments, businesses, and individuals grapple with the urgency of reducing carbon emissions and the struggle for the transition to a sustainable future, green financing initiatives are inevitable. Managing climate transition risks through green financial instruments is an innovative and sustainable approach to financing projects that help mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. In the fiscal year 2023 budget of the Indian central government, there was a proposal to issue national green bonds valued at Rs 24,000 crore. The purpose of this bond issuance is to financially support public sector projects, with the ultimate goal of transitioning India into a low-carbon economy. Furthermore, this move is also expected to boost the growth of sustainable finance in the country. In this paper, an analytical study highlighting the carbon emission contribution of various sectors has been done and contrasted against global standards. The paper also highlights the technological improvements towards decarbonization, documents sector-wise net zero goals and also gives an account of the capex committed to energy-conservative technologies and renewable energy to reduce climate transition risk. In the above context, the research study also provides insights into the hurdles faced in implementing ESG goals and ways to overcome these hurdles to manage the transition risks.

If COPs 26, 27, and 28 were already posthumous rituals of the Climate Agreement, COP29 looks like a Zombie COP. Despite 29 COPs, despite the Paris Agreement, and despite the scientific consensus, we are moving more and more towards fossil fuels. Oil companies are spending an average of $61.1 billion on exploration every year. The data shows that 578 companies intend to explore 239.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe) of new resources in the next 1 to 7 years.

Climate change, a significant long-term shift in
our planet’s weather patterns, is largely driven
by human activities. Our reliance on burning
fossil fuels, deforestation, and massive
industrialization has greatly increased
greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.
This has not only accelerated global warming
but also led to a series of serious ecological
issues.
The consequences of climate change are both
profound and relentless. The hot temperatures
are causing glaciers to melt down, which
increases sea levels and threatens coastal
ecosystems. Additionally, severe weather
patterns like droughts, floods, cyclones, and
wildfires are occurring more frequently and with
greater intensity, leading to widespread loss of
life, property, livelihoods, and displacement.
Addressing climate change requires a dual
approach: mitigating its causes and adapting to
its impacts. Governments, corporates, civil
society, development partners and individuals
have a role to play.

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the hot spots for vulnerability to climate change with slow progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-4 on education. The region is also facing a sharp drop in Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), putting previous progress made in education at risk. On the other hand, climate financing has been growing steadily but very little has been channeled to the education sector. Climate financing with sustained ODA is needed to progress on SDG-4 and create resilient education systems that can recover from climate events. Failing that could exacerbate the region's vulnerability and reverse the gains made in SSA.

Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries despite contributing only 0.9% of global emissions, faces escalating challenges due to climate change. The country grapples with severe flooding, accelerated glacier melting, and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events, particularly in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), home to 7,000 glaciers. The 2022 floods alone displaced millions, destroyed infrastructure, and disrupted education and agriculture. At COP29, Pakistan will advocate for enhanced climate financing, advancing its National Adaptation Plan, and promoting carbon market policies. However, challenges like deforestation, energy crises, and inadequate infrastructure persist, undermining resilience efforts. 

To strengthen its climate strategy, Pakistan must prioritize rigorous environmental assessments for development projects, protect agricultural land, resolve GB’s energy crisis, and ensure transparent fund allocation. Engaging in regional climate diplomacy and incorporating vulnerable communities in decision-making are crucial. By refining adaptation strategies and addressing systemic gaps, Pakistan can attract greater investments and secure climate justice for its most affected populations.

Agroecology is fast gaining interest worldwide among a wide range of actors as a holistic response to the multiple and interrelated challenges facing food systems – not least of which include continued poverty and hunger in the context of degrading natural resources and climate change. While there is increasing evidence on the positive impacts of agroecology, results remain fragmented because of heterogeneous methods and data as well as differing scales, locations and timeframes. In 2018, FAO was requested by its governing bodies to develop metrics, tools and protocols to evaluate the contribution of agroecology to the transformation of sustainable agriculture and food systems. To respond to this request, FAO, with the help of multiple partners, has developed a global analytical framework for the multidimensional assessment of the performance of agroecology: the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) (FAO 2019), which aims to: Inform policy makers, development institutio...

The implementation of climate stability accounts for the most challenging contemporary global governance predicament that seems to pit today's generation against future world inhabitants. In a trade-off of economic growth versus sustainability, a broad-based international coalition could establish climate stability. As a novel angle towards climate justice, this paper proposes to search for a well-balanced climate mitigation and adaptation public policy mix guided by micro-and macroeconomic analysis results, and a new way of funding climate change mitigation and adaptation policies through broad-based climate stability bonds that also involve future generations that complement taxation and emission trading system solutions. Contemporary climate stability financing strategies are discussed in order to derive recommendations how market economies can be brought to a path consistent with prosperity and sustainability. Finding innovative ways how to finance climate abatement over time coupled with future risk prevention as well as adaptation to higher temperatures appears as an innovative and easily-implementable solution to nudge overlapping generations towards climate justice in the sustainability domain.

As the pace of climate change accelerates and its impacts rise across the globe, the urgency of responding at scale to the magnitude of the climate and environmental challenge is increasingly clear. The fast-rising costs of inadequate action were demonstrated in the first half of 2024, with
devastating floods in Brazil, unbearably high temperatures in India, and hurricane-wrought destruction in the Caribbean. As the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement underscores, commitments and actions are falling short of what is needed to deliver global climate and nature goals. The large and growing gap in financing the transition to a low-carbon economy, delivering climate resilience, and protecting nature requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors.
While developed countries have attracted 44% of finance for climate action, emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) and least-developed countries (LDCs) account for only 14% and 2% of global climate finance, respectively. As a result, EMDEs and LDCs are falling further behind in the transition to low-carbon, resilient economies while being increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change.

This co-authored report presents the findings and recommendations for changes in the climate finance architecture, in the context of the Brazilian G20 Presidency and the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG), with focus on: (i) optimize the operations of the Vertical
Climate and Environmental Funds (VCEFs) and to (ii) enhance their contribution to the mobilization of other sources of sustainable finance.