GI Hub on the ground at COP27

GI Hub’s Chief Executive Officer Marie Lam-Frendo and Director of Engagement. Rory Linehan are on the ground and participating in a wide range of events and discussions at COP27 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Despite the increasingly fragmented world that we are in, COP27 represents an opportunity for us to progress from discussion to action, from commitments to real funding, and from self-interest to shared interest. Sustainable investment and financing in emerging markets must be front of mind at this year’s conference. From an infrastructure perspective, more private investment in sustainable infrastructure is critical to achieving global climate targets.

Our recently released Infrastructure Monitor 2022 report highlights that global private investment in infrastructure projects was ‘greener’ than ever in 2021. However, most of this investment was in the renewable energy sector, and the overall level of green investment outside renewables remains low.

Although strong private investor interest in renewables is positive, efforts to decarbonise infrastructure and reduce its significant climate footprint must extend into other sectors. Using new instruments for funding and financing to attract private investment in sustainable infrastructure, especially in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), will help us achieve this. Our new Sustainable Infrastructure webpage showcases a wide range of resources, data, and tools to support governments and industry as they develop and invest in sustainable infrastructure.

At COP27, our CEO Marie Lam-Frendo is moderating a Sustainable Markets Initiative panel session on Accelerating, Targeting, and Blending Sustainable Investment. Leaders from across the financial ecosystem will discuss solutions for the private sector to direct more capital towards climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development, particularly in EMDEs. She will also be taking part in several other side events and discussions this week, including the African NDC Investment Summit & Awards and Acciona’s event on Unlocking the Regenerative Power of Infrastructure, where discussions will focus on the role of infrastructure as an accelerator of climate transition and adaptation.

This is just the start of an exciting and ambitious week that will help us shape more tangible outcomes as we look ahead to supporting the incoming Indian G20 Presidency in 2023.

Follow the GI Hub on LinkedIn for our COP27 related insights and view our dedicated COP27 resource page - bookmark it for the latest news, insights, and updates around and following COP27.