Finance Archives - REGlobal

The Rise of Climate Fintech

November 18, 2022 | Finance

The climate crisis is a defining challenge for Asia and the Pacific, which as a region is the most vulnerable to global warming, and a significant contributor to its cause. Yet, it is not all doom and gloom. Driven by a combination of climate change, finance, and digital technology —collectively known as ‘climate fintech’ — the financial services industry is preparing to address these challenges and capture opportunities for transitioning to a more sustainable economy.

USD 236 billion of green bonds added in H1: Climate Bonds Initiative

October 26, 2022 | Finance

During H1, green bonds amounting to USD236 billion were added to the Climate Bonds GBDB as Q2 issuance (USD133 billion) picked up slightly compared to Q1 (USD103 billion). May was the busiest month (USD50 million) helped by several large deals from Austria, which priced its first sovereign green bond, a 2049 maturity (EUR4 billon/USD4.2 billion), TenneT (a four tranche deal worth EUR3.85 billion/ USD4.1 billion), and EIB (EUR4 billion/USD4.3 billion).

How clean energy economics can benefit from the biggest climate law in US history

October 5, 2022 | Finance

For mature technologies, such as wind and solar, these incentives have the potential to supercharge an already-rapid pace of development. In our analysis, we estimate that the solar and wind LCOEs in 2030 with the IRA will be lower than those without it by 20%-35% and 38%-49%, respectively. However, despite the economic incentives, the IRA may encounter other development challenges facing renewable energy projects.

India’s renewable energy sector experiences a wave of M&A activity

October 1, 2022 | Finance

Interestingly, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continue to dominate India’s renewable energy financing, as is the case in many other large markets worldwide. In 2021-22, acquisitions contributed to more than 40 per cent of the total major renewable energy investments in the country. The M&A surge looks likely to continue in 2022-23 as well, with a few big acquisitions already announced and at advanced stages of completion. This article takes a deep dive into some of these acquisitions and assesses the growing renewable energy M&A landscape.

Delivering the low-carbon transition in emerging markets and developing economies

September 27, 2022 | Finance

A review of the impact and achievements of some trailblazing governments, corporates, investors, and civil society across EM&DEs over the last decade also reveals the opportunities that transitioning to a low-carbon economy can generate. In this piece, the authors provide Macquarie’s perspective on why supporting decarbonisation in EM&DEs is central to global climate change mitigation efforts.

Cost of Ownership of Fuel-Cell Hydrogen Trucks in Europe

September 24, 2022 | Finance

This study evaluates the total cost of ownership (TCO) of fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs), focusing on long-haul tractor-trailers, the highest-emitting HDV segment in the EU. The geographic scope of this study includes seven European countries—France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland—representing more than 75% of HDV registrations in the EU in 2020.

Transition Finance is Critical to Address Climate Change

September 7, 2022 | Finance

Asia and the Pacific should consider launching its own transition funds. Transition funds can be launched by either governments or international organizations, such as multilateral development banks and other international financial institutions, or through international collaboration among different countries to reduce the funding costs and risks for these transactions, and help attract private sector investment.

US Climate Law Ushers in New National Green Bank

August 28, 2022 | Finance

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is a long-overdue step toward establishing a national green bank that will unleash tens of billions of public and private dollars for investment in clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure in underserved communities. In addition to supporting economic development, these investments will reduce air pollution and improve the health and safety of communities.

Indonesia Green Taxonomy 1.0: Yellow Does Not Mean Go

August 17, 2022 | Finance

A green taxonomy is a list that classifies all business activities based on their contribution to environmental aims and thresholds. Launched in January 2022, Indonesia’s Green Taxonomy 1.0 has been designed mainly as a guidance, rather than a mandatory instrument. This, however, may expand in the future, for example, through mandatory disclosures of taxonomy-relevant investment portfolios.

TransLink 2022 Investment Plan: Commitment to net-zero emissions

August 8, 2022 | Finance

In May 2022, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation and TransLink’s Board of Directors approved the agency’s 2022 Investment Plan, followed by a commitment by the Government of British Columbia of CAD2.4 billion to support transit investments. The 2022 Investment Plan will help advance the objectives of Transport 2050, Metro 2050, and Climate 2050.

China’s new green finance guidelines have a deforestation blind spot

August 3, 2022 | Finance

On 1 June, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) issued a new set of green guidelines. These lay out detailed expectations for banks and insurance companies to identify, monitor, prevent and control their environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks. Policymakers in China have been showing a growing interest in green finance. Traditionally, policies in the area have mainly focused on encouraging financial flows into supporting green, non-polluting and low-carbon businesses.

Cost declines in 2021 may not be repeated for solar PV and wind power in 2022: IRENA

July 22, 2022 | Finance

The cost declines seen in 2021 may not be repeated for solar PV and wind power in 2022, as supply chain constraints have been having an impact since late 2020, while commodity price rises accelerated in late 2021. These two factors saw equipment prices increase after experiencing lows in the first half of 2020, when the pandemic first took hold. Yet, the impact of these factors on projects commissioned in 2021 was not enough to raise the full year weighted average LCOE in many individual markets, nor at a global level.

Climate Finance Needs in Africa

July 19, 2022 | Finance

The total cost of implementing NDCs in Africa is estimated at USD 2.8 trillion over 2020- 2030. This includes the estimation of loss and damage when provided by countries. Of this, national governments have committed to providing USD 264 billion (about 10%), with the remaining USD 2.5 trillion identified as climate finance needs. Across all African regions, reported needs greatly exceed country allocations from national government budgets.

More is More: Potential boost to Asian renewable energy from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

July 14, 2022 | Finance

If the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) becomes a binding agreement that delivers on its ambitions, many Asia Pacific economies could receive a boost to their clean energy needs. The US-led IPEF can complement the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Together, they would cover countries which need a combined annual spend of about USD1.27T to hit the 1.5°C climate goal.

Cost of geothermal to remain high in comparison to wind and solar

July 1, 2022 | Finance

Over the past decade, the installation cost of geothermal power plants has increased, from USD2,620 per kW in 2010 to USD4,468 per kW in 2020. According to IRENA, geothermal is the second most expensive renewables type by installation cost, closely behind concentrated solar power’s 4,581 USD per kW in 2020.

Clean Energy Financing in Africa

June 27, 2022 | Finance

While Africa accounts for almost one‐fifth of the world’s population, it attracts less than 5% of global energy investment. This is spread unevenly across the continent. Ten countries accounted for 90% of private investment in energy and electricity infrastructure on the continent over the last ten years, South Africa alone accounting for nearly 40%. Total energy investment in Africa was already declining prior to the pandemic and fell even more quickly in 2020, by over 20%.

Global new investment in renewables reached USD366 billion in 2021: REN21

June 19, 2022 | Finance

Solar PV and wind power continued to dominate new investment in renewables, with solar PV accounting for 56% of the 2021 total, and wind power for 40%. The strong growth in solar PV investment in 2020 expanded further in 2021, rising nearly 19% to reach USD205 billion. Wind power investment fell 5% to USD147 billion, reflecting a sharp decline in offshore wind power investment (down 45%) and a smaller increase in onshore wind power investment (up 16%).

The Risks of Investing in Blue Hydrogen for Europe

May 25, 2022 | Finance

Elevated gas prices and a future tight market means blue hydrogen is no longer a low-cost solution; IEEFA estimates that blue hydrogen costs published by the UK government last year are now 36% higher, calling into question continued policy support for development of the technology. Blue hydrogen is an extension of the gas value chain and does not make sense as an investment during a gas price crisis.

Renewable energy as a catalyst for investment and growth in Vietnam

May 19, 2022 | Finance

Several high-profile investors have entered Vietnam’s C&I market. The French utility group EDF and its local partner, investment fund VinaCapital, have committed USD100 million over the next three years for a pipeline of 200 MWp of C&I rooftop solar power systems. South Korean conglomerate SK Group has pledged USD200 million and a 250 MWp installation target in the next few years, with local partner Nami Energy.

Wind and Solar Corporate PPA Prices Rise Up To 16.7% Across Europe

May 3, 2022 | Finance

The survey looks at the range of offer prices for solar and onshore wind PPAs across 10 European markets. Solar PPAs are generally more expensive than wind by up to 10 euros/MWh in each respective market, although the average gap has narrowed from 6.7 to 4.5 euros since 2H 2020. This is because onshore wind prices rose slightly more on average (9.4%) than solar (5.7%) over that time.

Category: Finance

The Rise of Climate Fintech

USD 236 billion of green bonds added in H1: Climate Bonds Initiative

How clean energy economics can benefit from the biggest climate law in US history

India’s renewable energy sector experiences a wave of M&A activity

Delivering the low-carbon transition in emerging markets and developing economies

Cost of Ownership of Fuel-Cell Hydrogen Trucks in Europe

Transition Finance is Critical to Address Climate Change

US Climate Law Ushers in New National Green Bank

Indonesia Green Taxonomy 1.0: Yellow Does Not Mean Go

TransLink 2022 Investment Plan: Commitment to net-zero emissions

China’s new green finance guidelines have a deforestation blind spot

Cost declines in 2021 may not be repeated for solar PV and wind power in 2022: IRENA

Climate Finance Needs in Africa

More is More: Potential boost to Asian renewable energy from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

Cost of geothermal to remain high in comparison to wind and solar

Clean Energy Financing in Africa

Global new investment in renewables reached USD366 billion in 2021: REN21

The Risks of Investing in Blue Hydrogen for Europe

Renewable energy as a catalyst for investment and growth in Vietnam

Wind and Solar Corporate PPA Prices Rise Up To 16.7% Across Europe

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