Climate finance: Mobilising private sector finance for mitigation and adaptation

This report focuses on private sector financing and how it can be more effectively mobilised, especially in developing countries.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the risks associated with climate change, it is indisputably one of the greatest challenges of our time. Climate finance supports various climate change mitigation and adaptation activities, as well as efforts to enable the transition towards low-carbon, climate-resilient development. This report focuses on private sector financing and how it can be more effectively mobilised, especially in developing countries. Political instability and financial flaws create barriers for private investors, and it is crucial to overcome these barriers to encourage an enabling environment for private investment. The report investigates the regulatory framework and the role of private sector financing; examines investment barriers; and makes policy recommendations aimed at greater climate resilience. Financial instruments to leverage private investment are outlined, with a focus on the Green Climate Fund.

About the authors:

Oliver C. Ruppel is a professor of law at the Faculty of Law, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. His field of specialisation is public international law and diplomacy in general and, more specifically, world trade law, international environmental law, sustainable development law as well as the law of the African Union and the various regional economic communities in Africa, such as the Southern African Development Community and others. Professor Ruppel is currently AR5 coordinating lead author for Africa on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Working Group II, which is based at Stanford University, US.

Cord Luedemann is an LLD candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of Stellenbosch. His current research concentrates on climate change law and renewable energy frameworks, with a special focus on developing countries. He previously worked as a lawyer in the Energy Department at the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).