The Green Investment Bank

This report provides the first comprehensive study of publically capitalised green investment banks (GIBs), analysing the rationales, mandates and financing activities of this relatively new category of public financial institution that aims to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

This report warns that the UK could lose out on hundreds of billions of pounds of vital investment in green energy projects if the Government waters down its plans for a Green Investment Bank. The Coalition Agreement promised to establish a Green Investment Bank and the Chancellor pledged £1 billion to capitalise it in the Spending Review, plus unspecified proceeds from the sale of government assets. But there have been reports of disagreement within Government as to whether it should be a fully fledged investment 'bank' able to borrow money and raise further capital or simply a 'fund'. If the Office for National Statistics (ONS) classifies the Bank as 'public sector' its borrowing could appear on the Government's balance sheet and so undermine its deficit reduction strategy. Evidence presented to the Environmental Audit Committee by energy companies, NGOs and financial institutions suggests that between £200 billion and £1 trillion of private sector investment is needed over the next 10-20 years if the UK is to meet its climate change and renewable energy targets. But traditional sources of private sector capital are only likely deliver £50-£80 billion of investment in green infrastructure by 2025 - leaving the UK with a massive investment shortfall. The report argues that establishing a proper Investment Bank is crucial in order to lever in the unprecedented levels of private sector investment needed. The Committee concludes that, as a priority, the Bank should concentrate on new fledgling environmental investment where the market has yet to be established.

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In this report we examine the Government's plans to move the Green Investment Bank (GIB) into the private sector. We have focussed our attention on three areas: the process surrounding the decision, the actions required to ensure GIB's unique position in the green economy, and the Government's future involvement in the Bank. Whilst we recognise there are potential benefits resulting from an injection of capital, we found that the Government has taken the decision to privatise GIB without due transparency, publication of relevant evidence, consultation, or proper consideration of alternatives. The absence of these steps is likely to lead to the suspicion that the move and its timing are not evidence-based policy. Before proceeding with the sale, the Government must publish a business case and all impact assessments related to the sale. The Government should provide an evaluation of whether a "phased approach" involving alternative recapitalisation options would be possible. This could allow for greater consultation, transparency and market testing on the form of any eventual privatisation

This report develops a framework that classifies investments according to different types of financial instruments and investment funds, and highlights the techniques that intermediaries can use to mobilise institutionally held capital.

This book presents a scientific view of fighting climate change in the economy of the future, the foundations of which are being set around the world. The authors substantiate the potential of Industry 4.0 in stimulating sustainable development in environmental protection and preservation of natural resources. This book considers the modern experience of fighting climate change based on possibilities of Industry 4.0 at the national scale in view of developed and developing countries with a special focus on Russia and at the corporate scale by the example of transnational corporations. It determines the future contribution of Industry 4.0 into development of responsible production and consumption, and compiles the “outlines” of “green” economy in Industry 4.0. It offers recommendations for control of climate change in Industry 4.0, and presents the authors’ vision of ecological responsibility in Industry 4.0 for implementing the sustainable development goals. This book will be of interest to academics and practitioners interested in climate change and development of Industry 4.0, as well contributing to a national economic policy for fighting climate change and corporate strategies of sustainable development in Industry 4.0.

This report provides a case study for the development of sustainable energy lending in Ukraine. It reviews the macro-economic and political context for green investments in Ukraine, before looking in more detail at the role and capacity of the banking sector.

This paper fills a gap in the macroeconomic literature on renewable sources of energy. It offers a definition of green investment and analyzes the trends and determinants of this investment over the last decade for 35 advanced and emerging countries. We use a new multi-country historical dataset and find that green investment has become a key driver of the energy sector and that its rapid growth is now mostly driven by China. Our econometric results suggest that green investment is boosted by economic growth, a sound financial system conducive to low interest rates, and high fuel prices. We also find that some policy interventions, such as the introduction of carbon pricing schemes, or "feed-in-tariffs," which require use of "green" energy, have a positive and significant impact on green investment. Other interventions, such as biofuel support, do not appear to be associated with higher green investment.