In this post, LEDS GP Finance Working Group Co-chair James Rawlins discusses plans for the Working Group at COP22, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco, 7th – 18th November.

COP22 is almost upon us. For Working Group members planning to attend the COP, we thought it might be helpful to highlight some of the finance focused side events, in particular those that cover the financing of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as this is such a key topic as we look to build on the Paris Agreement.

We would also like to invite any Working Group members present during week two of the COP, who are interested to meet up with the Finance Working Group Co-chairs from the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) to discuss involvement in the Group’s activities, to come and find us at the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) exhibition booth at a few points during the week. See the bottom of this post for details.

Finance Events at COP22

The following six events look especially interesting. In total there are around 30 official finance related side events across the two weeks, so do check the full list for other relevant events, and check the LEDS GP website for details of LEDS GP’s own events. Please note that these are official side events facilitated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and as such are held in the COP22 Blue Zone (a pass is required).

• Creating Climate Finance Pathways for NDCs. Many NDCs conditionally rely on significant inward investment to be fully realized. This event, organized by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT), will focus on the available and emerging financial solutions to achieve this, highlighting work by REEEP, the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) and the GGGI’s Green Investment Services. Thursday 10^th November, 11:30-13:00.

• Beyond Paris: Investor actions to manage climate risk and seize low-carbon opportunities. This event, organized by the International Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), Carbon Tracker, Ceres, and the Principles for Responsible Investment Association, spotlights investor actions undertaken since Paris to align private sector finance with international climate change commitments. There are two themes: managing climate risk/carbon asset risk and scaling up investment in low carbon opportunities including in emerging/developing countries. Friday 11^th November, 15:00-16:30.

• Accelerating Action: Catalyzing and financing NDC implementation to support climate, growth and development. This event from the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), will focus on what’s needed to catalyze and finance the implementation of NDCs, including promoting accessible and responsive support; tackling key risks and barriers to private finance; developing robust implementation roadmaps; and advancing action through the Paris Agreement. Tuesday 15^th November, 11:30-13:00.

• The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Implementation of the Paris Agreement. The GCF will convene relevant speakers to discuss its latest policy development regarding the support to developing countries for the implementation of NDCs, as well as regarding the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans. Wednesday 16^th November, 13:14-14:45.

• NDC Invest: A holistic approach to turning NDCs into Investment Plans. Reducing the investment gap will take on increased significance in light of the ambitious goals of reducing emissions within the country commitments. At this event the IDB Group and the Government of Chile will discuss how the IDB provides assistance to countries for the implementation of those commitments, translating them into investments plans. Wednesday 16^th November, 18:30-20:00.

• Investing in Climate Action: Financing high impact climate projects. Climate investment is critical to the Paris Agreement. A major barrier to increasing investments in developing countries is a shortage of bankable high impact projects. This event, organized by the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) and Denmark, will focus on how to support the identification, preparation, and development of projects. Thursday 17^th November, 13:14-14:45.

Meet the Finance Working Group
James Rawlins and Matthew Halstead from the Energy Centre of the Netherlands, one of the two Co-chair organizations of the Finance Working Group, will be at the COP during week two and would be pleased to meet members of the Group to discuss involvement in the Group’s activities in 2017, or other LEDS finance matters. We will be at the CDKN / LEAD International / SouthSouthNorth exhibition booth at the following times:

• Monday 14th 2-3pm
• Tuesday 15th 5-6pm
• Thursday 17^th 3-4pm

Alternatively, please get in touch by emailing rawlins@ecn.nl.

Photo: ECV-OnTheRoad, Flickr