Over two years ago, in September 2015, 193 governments adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide a framework for global development and set quantitative targets for the world to achieve by 2030. A global investment of $5 to $7 trillion a year, from 2015 to 2030, is estimated to be needed to fund the SDGs, 50 percent of which should come from the private sector.
The entry into force of the Paris Agreement has reinforced nations’ determination to combat climate change, but a lot more still needs to be done in order to achieve the goals that were set globally. While investment opportunities in low-carbon innovation, climate adaptation, clean infrastructure and energy are growing, key challenges still prevent most of the needed financial flows.
The webinar on 6 December, organised by Climate Action and Sustainable Investment Forum Europe, addressed the issues of assessing needs, set processes developing innovative financial mechanisms and adapting existing instruments for funding the SDGs. It gathered several influential representatives from the finance community and the corporate sector to discuss the challenges of the financing the SDGs.
Key points discussed:
- Understanding funding needs for the SDGs through assessment, measurement and reporting
- Organising finance flows: set up innovative processes and adapt existing financial instruments
- Adapting sustainable finance processes to the singularities of countries and sectors
- Collaboration between public and private sector to accelerate investment
The replay of the webinar and the presentation is available here.