20 May 2015: As part of Climate Week Paris, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) organized the second Green Investment Financing Forum (GIFF) from 19-20 May 2015. The event brought together senior government officials and key actors in financing green infrastructure investment for a candid discussion with special focus on green investment banks.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría delivered opening remarks, explaining that the event was an opportunity to explore how to address the challenge of mobilizing trillions of dollars of private investment in low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure. He drew the distinction between climate policies, such as pricing carbon and phasing out fossil-fuel subsidies as discussed at the first GIFF, and regulatory frameworks that allow investors to unlock trillions in green infrastructure investment using channels and instruments available to them.

Gurría named some of these channels and instruments, such as green bonds, direct investment in projects and listed funds. Participants explored these topics further during the GIFF’s sessions on: public action to catalyze private investment for green growth; investment needs and risk-return profiles of sustainable energy investments – market evolution; facilitating domestic green investment – policy frameworks and public financial institutions; the role of public financial institutions to enhance the flow of private green investments from developed countries to emerging economies and developing countries; green bonds – mobilizing the debt capital markets for sustainable energy; institutional investor roundtable on sustainable energy financing; and the financial system and markets – aligned with the low carbon transition?

Climate Week Paris kicked off on 18 May 2015. Events, such as the Business & Climate Summit and Climate Finance Day, are being held through 22 May 2015. [OECD GIFF Event Webpage] [OECD Secretary-General Remarks]