
Researchers have developed a five-step methodology for central and state level government agencies looking to provide financial risk mitigation interventions to improve the credit profile of renewable energy projects in India.

"It is necessary to ensure that the economic, social and environmental implications of potential infrastructure projects are considered holistically from the earliest stages of planning and development. It is also essential for ensuring coordination between different infrastructure sectors such as transport, energy and water," says Fulai Sheng, Senior Economist at UN Environment.

Governments have set ambitious goals to act on climate change, which are embodied through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. To achieve these goals, countries must coordinate across sectors and ministries, implement creative technologies, and finance projects. For many countries and relevant stakeholders, accessing information to support their planning and implementation can be a daunting task. When countries search for tools, resources, and information to support their work, where do they begin?
Research

India has been a sweet spot for renewable energy investment exhibiting an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2004 and 2017, and ranked among the top five renewable investment destinations in the FS-UNEP Report. Some major contributing factors have been India’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals, its large and well-diversified renewable market, and India’s ability to offer higher excess returns than several comparable markets like China and the United States.
Research

UN Environment has published the final report of its Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System. The report highlights progress towards a sustainable financial system, including an increase in green bonds, large-scale divestments from carbon-intensive projects, commitment to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, and the development of national road maps for green and sustainable finance.
Research

A new book explores the complex economics and politics of fossil fuel subsidies, and distils key principles for designing and implementing of effective reforms. Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reforms: A Guide to Economic and Political Complexity (Routledge).
Research

A recent study by Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), creates a case for municipal entities to promote rooftop solar in India by issuing green bonds in capital markets.

There is positive energy coming from several regions of the world in the form of renewed and pro-active leadership on preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on the part of the European Union (EU), Japan and Africa. This energy is welcome as it is a source of global cooperation, but more is needed to make sure it complements the multilateral trading system.

Environmental investments make up just 1% of the assets of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs). As these public institutional investors have the capacity to deploy enormous capital to green long-term investments, how can they be encouraged to join – and lead – the transition to a low-carbon economy?

A new trade policy approach can help high-polluting countries make their national mitigation policies more effective and thus promote green growth.