Why successful global green finance is all about the colour of private money

Deborah Lehr says amid growing alarm over the possible economic fallout of climate change, governments must find ways to draw private capital to foot the gigantic bill for environmental solutions

By Deborah Lehr as featured on South China Morning Post

As leaders in the global financial community gathered in Washington for the annual IMF/World Bank meetings, the hottest ticket in town was for a technical discussion on green finance. Awareness – and alarm – is growing about the potential financial impact on the international economy of risk related to climate change.

Experts from investment banks, rating agencies, central banks, finance ministries, institutions, investors and technology companies gathered for a lively discussion about how to bring green finance into the mainstream, to offset or at least prepare for these potential “climate-caused” shocks to the system. In addition to being necessary to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, green finance may also be the key to stimulating moribund growth.