Green bonds can promote economic growth for Egypt

Sustainability has taken another step forward in Egypt this month. On July 18, the Egyptian government announced a regulatory framework for the issuance of green bonds to promote sustainable development. The challenge, however, will be finding projects qualified for the “green” designation, especially since the definition of what constitutes a sustainable project is yet to be standardized in Egypt – or in most markets for that matter. And implementation and enforcement mechanisms for these standards are even less defined.

Egyptian drivers hold the key to cleaner air

As the slow wheels of government inch toward policies that lead to cleaner air, Egyptian drivers could hold the key to a faster result, with the answer provided by an unlikely partner – Chinese auto companies. The steadily growing demand for ground transportation has Egypt facing fast growing levels of greenhouse gas emissions, with 50 percent stemming just from vehicles.

Egyptian Drivers Hold The Key to Cleaner Air

China’s green capacity challenge

Last month I was asked by my former employer, the Paulson Institute (PI), to write a paper on how to build out Chinese capacity in green finance. PI launched a new series of papers tackling a number of key issues that if addressed could unlock the potential of green finance – which could be a game changer in China’s war on pollution.

Greening the Belt and Road: opportunities for Egypt

Much has been made of China’s grand building plan for the Belt and Road Initiative, but little attention is focused on the “green” standards that China is proposing to receive this investment. Launched in 2013 by China’s President Xi Jinping, the B&R is a one-trillion-dollar plan to finance infrastructure investments spanning over 60 countries and covering three quarters of the world’s population.

China flexes its economic muscles to push green finance on the New Silk Road

China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” is likely to transform trading routes from Asia to Africa, the Middle East to Russia. With the world’s largest foreign reserves and a determination to build political and economic ties with strategically important governments, China is helping finance much-needed major infrastructure projects along the modern Silk Road.

State of the Environment in China

China's war on Poverty

Egypt's economic situation still manageable, China key supporter: Experts

The economic situation in Egypt is difficult yet manageable and China is a major economic supporter to the Arab country, said lawmakers and economic experts in a press conference held Wednesday at the State Information Service (SIS) headquarters in Cairo.

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

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.

Greening the financial system: From momentum to transformation

In the midst of the International Monetary Fund/World Bank fall meetings, international and U.S. experts convened for the “Greening the Financial System: From Momentum to Transformation” conference on October 7th, 2016 in Washington, DC.

Green finance: A strategic imperative for China

With last month’s high-profile signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement by 174 countries at the United Nations, the complicated process to turn these historic commitments on climate change into reality has begun. Yet away from the cameras, the more difficult process of financing implementation of these commitments is getting a boost from what may seem an unlikely source: the Chinese government.

For China, Green Finance is a strategic imperative

With last month’s high-profile signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement by 174 countries at the United Nations, the complicated process to turn these historic commitments on climate change into reality has begun. Yet away from the cameras, the more difficult process of financing implementation of these commitments is getting a boost from what may seem an unlikely source: the Chinese government.

China said to expand green fund

China and the U.S. are bulking up the size and scope of a fund created to finance green projects to about $3 billion, according to two people familiar with the decision. The capital boost will increase the fund’s size by 50 percent from $2 billion and broaden its investment mandate to green projects beyond just improving the energy efficiency of buildings, said the people, who asked not be identified because the information isn’t public.

Xi’s green teams fight for the environment

Chinese President Xi Jinping was an unexpected savior of the historic Paris Climate Summit last December. He offered far reaching Chinese commitments to reduce carbon emissions, and also provided necessary political momentum to finalize the difficult international negotiations.

Green Finance symposium explores financial mechanisms to promote low-carbon global economic growth

Washington, DC—The Paulson Institute and the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking convened a half-day symposium of global finance leaders and experts to discuss recommendations for the development of robust global green finance mechanisms and markets.

COP21: Cities of the future - innovation and sustainable urbanization in China

COP21: Cities of the future - innovation and sustainable urbanization in China.

China to boost $100 billion green bond market for renewables

China is set to become a hotbed for the $100 billion market in bonds tied to environmentally-friendly investments as authorities and developers seek alternatives to loans for funding a transformation to clean energy supplies.

China: Is engagement still working?

THE DEBATE: On Thursday October 23rd, The McCain Institute for International Leadership hosted the debate: “China: Is Engagement Still Working?” at the U.S. Navy Memorial Burke Theater in Washington, DC.

How cleaning up China's environment can also be good for its economy

China's 13th five-year plan, due for release in 2016, will reportedly include the most ambitious environmental reform agenda attempted in history. A study by Goldman Sachs predicts that, as a result, the Chinese environmental market could be a multibillion-dollar opportunity.

Building a “Sustainable Eco-Edge District” outside Beijing

China’s mayors are on the front lines of the country’s ambitious drive to move more than 100 million people into cities over the next six years. Their challenge is to try to make sure that those people will have a cleaner environment and more livable communities.

Green building solutions for energy efficiency

Increase the role of market forces: Reform of resource pricing in the energy sector will ensure more efficient supply and demand of energy. Use data more effectively: Tracking energy use would allow governments, building owners, utility companies and users to regulate their behavior in a more cost-effective manner.

Solutions to carbon reduction are within China's reach

At November’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, the world’s two biggest carbon players - the United States and China – signed an important agreement to reach specific carbon reduction targets by 2025 and 2030, respectively.

Why China’s mayors matter

Imagine relocating four of America’s top five city populations – Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia – into new cities every year. That is what Chinese urbanization will look like.

Urban leaders from China study sustainability at Paulson Institute

City leaders from one of China’s largest provinces are visiting the University of Chicago this week for a crash course on urban sustainability, including sustainability issues in transportation, regional planning, climate change, urban infrastructure and historic preservation.