Collaboration and ESG language to unlock funding for sustainable infrastructure projects

September 5, 2023

Developing countries face many challenges in mobilising private sector investment for sustainable infrastructure projects. Solutions include international cooperation and common environmental, social and governance (ESG) taxonomies. To close the climate finance gap, we need additional private investment especially in low- and middle-income countries.

To serve this purpose, Multilateral development banks (MDBs) are encouraged to expand their support for sustainable infrastructure projects and increase their risk appetite. Furthermore, collaboration among G20 public development banks (PDBs) is encouraged to leverage their strengths and promote transformative impact.

A common ESG language will also help standardise assessments of sustainable investments, reduce greenwashing and attract specialised capital. The G20 is called upon to strengthen institutional networks among developing countries, to strengthen the PDBs, and to create a universal ESG taxonomy for sustainable finance.

Ultimately, the recommendations in this paper aim to contribute to a more sustainable global economy by fostering cooperation, reducing investment risks, and accelerating the flow of funds to sustainable infrastructure projects.

Speakers
Sabrine Emran
Economist
Sabrine Emran is a Finance graduate specializing in financial markets and commodities. She holds a Grande Ecole master’s degree in Management from IESEG School of Management and ISCAE Group, as well as a Specialized master’s degree in Financial Markets from Paris Dauphine University and ENSAE ParisTech. Sabrine Emran started her career in investment writing and product development in the asset management branches of insurance companies and investment banks in Paris, working mainly on alternative investment asset classes. She was also recently a commodities analyst, focusing on risk management strategies for energy and agricultural commodities as well as foreign exchange risks. Sabrine Emran joined the Policy Center for the New south in September 2022 as an economist where she ...

RELATED CONTENT

  • Authors
    Hung Tran
    June 19, 2024
    The Global South features prominently in the context of geopolitical rivalry and efforts by developing countries to change the current international economic and financial architecture. While there are questions about whether some countries—such as China or Russia—should be considered parts of the Global South (GS), it is obvious that Africa is at the center of the group. Different aspects of Africa—its potential, its reality, and its efforts to realize its potential—embody the chal ...
  • June 19, 2024
    What is the economic impact of the September 8, 2023, Al-Haouz Earthquake? Economist Mahmoud Arbouch, co-author of the research paper, explains how the study quantifies economic loss and evaluates a five-year reconstruction plan, representing 8.5% of GDP. The study predicts a 0.24% GDP ...
  • June 19, 2024
    Le marché du travail marocain, marqué par un dynamisme démographique et économique, est confronté à des défis majeurs : un chômage persistant, une inadéquation entre les compétences et les besoins du marché, et une faible participation des jeunes et des femmes. Pour y répondre, l'État a mis en place des Politiques Actives du Marché du Travail (PAMT) à travers l'ANAPEC (Agence Nationale pour la Promotion de l'Emploi et des Compétences). Ce document analyse l'efficacité des programme ...
  • June 19, 2024
    Our Senior Fellow, Mr. Dominique Bocquet, presents his report, "Assessing Biden’s Presidency: A Method," offering a thorough analysis of President Joe Biden's administration. The report evaluates Biden's domestic and international policies, highlights key challenges and opportunities, a...
  • June 14, 2024
    Explore the evolution, impact, and future trends of digital currencies with our Senior Fellow, Mr. Otaviano Canuto. In this insightful video, he sheds light on how digital currencies are transforming global markets and what to expect in the coming years. ...
  • Authors
    June 13, 2024
    La généralisation de la protection sociale est une réforme sociétale très louable et constitue un pilier fondamental de l'État social au Maroc, ainsi qu'un levier essentiel pour améliorer le fonctionnement de l'État providence. Une des grandes forces de cette initiative réside dans la prise de conscience collective et l'engagement ferme des autorités publiques que nous observons aujourd'hui, en vue d'étendre la protection sociale à tous les citoyens pour promouvoir une i ...
  • Authors
    Mannat Jaspal
    June 11, 2024
    Carbon trading have long been touted as a silver bullet to channelise climate finance to African countries lacking the capital to support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. The erstwhile ‘Kyoto Protocol’ and its successor ‘The Paris Agreement’, though much more comprehensive and wider in scope, both recognize the importance of carbon trading (a form of carbon pricing) in combatting climate change, and in the Paris Agreement the same is enshrined under Article 6 and its sub-c ...
  • Authors
    May 31, 2024
    President Biden's announcement of new tariffs on China, though not economically significant on its own, symbolizes the deepening decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies. These tariffs, supported by both major political parties, represent the latest step in a broader strategy that favors policy interventions over traditional free-market principles and aims to protect domestic workers, maintain technological leadership, and prioritize economic security. This policy brief discusse ...
  • May 24, 2024
    Africa has a wealth of natural resources, including minerals, agriculture, and energy commodities, which provides an opportunity for the financialization of these commodities on the continent, a concept that has gained global attention and sparked debate on the potential benefits and drawbacks. Although the financialization of commodities has been studied in various contexts, including in African countries, challenges such as liquidity constraints and market readiness have emerged a ...
  • May 22, 2024
    This Paper was originally published on sciencedirect.com The gender gap in education has been a significant concern for Moroccan policymakers and researchers, but the quantitative measurement of this gap has often been overlooked. This study specifically examines the gender gap in academic achievement in reading and mathematics at both the national and residential levels. The objective is to identify the factors that influence gender performance differences and their magnitude. To ...