BS EDIT: Mobilising climate finance: Bridging the gap

By Business StandardPublished On Nov 6, 2024

The urgency of climate finance

COP29 in Baku will focus on mobilising private capital to address a staggering $800 billion shortfall in climate financing

The need for private investment

Developing nations require approximately $5.9 trillion in climate finance by 2030. However, the potential of private-sector financing remains largely untapped

Current state of private climate finance

As of 2022, private-sector funding represented only 20% of total climate finance, with 81% allocated for mitigation efforts

Adaptation strategies receive significantly less attention

Challenges faced by investors

Risk perceptions, investment policies, and quality of bankable projects significantly impact private investment decisions in climate finance, particularly in developing economies

Barriers to adaptation funding

Mobilising private capital for adaptation is even more challenging. Non-commercial projects like reforestation struggle to attract investment due to perceived low returns

The path forward

Public-sector, multilateral finance must lead the charge in climate action. Strengthening state capacity, transparency, and accountability is crucial to attract private investment