Investment Finance for the Low Carbon Economy

The Executive Training Seminar will look closely at the role of Central Banks and of State Investment Banks in the transition to low carbon economy; possible ways of scaling up climate finance in developing and emerging countries; and the different national paths to contribute to the Paris Agreement. Finally, participants will learn about the European experience of the EU Emission Trading System.

Learning outcomes

Participants will:

• develop an enhanced understanding of the dynamics of investment finance for the low-carbon economy;
• expand participants’ abilities to explore key climate finance issues through case-based analysis and group work;
• interact with fellow participants and colleagues, through peer teaching and peer learning dynamics.

Methodology

This policy-oriented Executive Training Seminar will adopt an innovative perspective combining high-level academic insight with the analysis of experienced policy practitioners. This will provide participants with a practical overview of the current financial instruments to support projects aimed to achieve sustainability, while also developing an enhanced understanding of the link between the different financial instruments and how they can be better targeted at financing needs for a transition to a low-carbon economy in both developed and developing countries.

Course Directors

Simone Borghesi, Director, FSR Climate
Jos Delbeke, Part-time Professor, School of Transnational Governance, EUI and KU Leuven

Scientific Coordinator

Isabella Alloisio, Research Associate, FSR Climate

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Watch the interview with Nick Robins (Professor Grantham Research Institute at London School of Economics and Political Science)

Watch a brief introduction to the seminar by Simone Borghesi (FSR Climate Director):

Climate change is likely to modify significantly patterns of capital investments and constitutes both a risk and an opportunity for investors and financial institutions.  The Paris Climate Agreement approved at the COP21 in December 2015 is a cornerstone in climate policy and finance worldwide. To achieve its objective of limiting the rise of global mean temperature to +2°C compared to the preindustrial period, a shift in the allocation of finance flows from carbon-intensive activities to investments compatible with a 2°C pathway will be necessary. A framework aligning the decisions of financial institutions with the long-term climate goals is taking shape, and carbon intensive projects and investments will likely face an increasing risk of being stranded. Thanks to the involvement of experts that will discuss the most relevant topics in the climate finance field, the Executive Training Seminar aims to demonstrate how changing finance is pivotal to finance change that is required by the Paris Agreement.

The seminar will target a specialised audience composed of mid-career senior officers and policy makers from climate and finance ministries, central banks, insurance companies, pension funds, international financial institutions, state investment banks and finance agents at different levels.

This Executive Training Seminar is jointly organised by the School of Transnational Governance and the FSR Climate of the European University Institute