Conference Agenda

Financing the green transformation: opportunities and challenges ahead

Diana MANGALAGIU¹, Qian YE²

¹GSDP; ²IRGP

Today we have compelling evidence of the need to find new ways to ensure ecologically and economically resilient and sustainable societies. A green transformation strategy offers the opportunity to address the current financial and economic crisis by turning sufficient amounts of financial capital into entrepreneurial investment. Transforming the cities, businesses, energy systems and homes so as to increase welfare while reducing damages to the environment is a need in the face of shortage of resources. However, given the scale of the finance required, combined with tightening fiscal constraints in most industrialized countries, the ability to leverage significant private investment is crucial. However, due to a lack of business cases and a range of perceived risks, such investment is currently not being attracted into green infrastructure projects.

Starting with very concrete initiatives such as the SuperSmart Grid project, Desertec and large-scale green development projects in Japan and China, the panel will address the challenge of attracting large-scale investments needed for the green transformation.

Presentations:

Diana, Mangalagiu, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford, Professor

Armin, Haas, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Senior Researcher

Antonella, Battaglini, Renewable Grid Initiative, Executive Director

Peter Höppe, Munich Re, Head of Geo Risks Research

James Cameron