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Green Finance Progress Report

The G20 Green Finance Synthesis Report adopted at the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou in September 2016 set out seven options identified by the G20 Green Finance Study Group (GFSG) to accelerate the mobilization of green finance. This paper highlights some of the progress made against these seven options in G20 members and internationally since June 2016. Progress described is illustrative and non-exhaustive, drawing on voluntary contributions from GFSG members and a broader review of global trends. While not comprehensive, it provides a useful summary of many of the key developments and the overall progress made to mobilize private capital for green investment.

Progress observed and reported in this paper indicates that momentum is growing in mainstreaming green finance into the architecture and practice of financial and capital markets. This momentum has directly resulted in an increased mobilization of green finance. UN Environment tracks a range of green finance measures including, for example, green financing mobilized, policies, regulations, standards, guidelines, principles and fiscal incentives. This report shows that more measures related to green finance have been introduced since June 2016 compared with any other one-year period since 2000.

The maps below show the countries that have made progress against each of the seven options between June 2016 and June 2017.

Option 1: Provide strategic policy signals and frameworks

Option 2: Promote Voluntary Principles for Green Finance

Option 3: Expand Learning Networks for Capacity-building

Option 4: Support the Development of Local Green Bond Markets

Option 5: Promote International Collaboration to Facilitate Crossborder Investment in Green Bonds

Option 6: Encourage and Facilitate Knowledge-sharing on Environmental and Financial Risk

Option 7: Improve the Measurement of Green Finance Activities and their Impacts

 

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.