The UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009 demonstrated a commitment to increasing public and private sector investment in climate-related activities. However, the private sector needs encouragement to invest in novel and risky areas. As the UN’s Green Climate Fund will use public funding to encourage such investment this briefing makes recommendations based on the experience of the Climate Investment Fund-funded Scaling up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP) already running in Nepal and Ethiopia. Early experiences show significant challenges: where potential private sector involvement is poorly defined, both public and private bodies hesitate to engage, causing serious delays in implementation. We also argue against a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and suggest that institutions and delivery methods are tailored to each country’s specific needs.
FC Publication Date:
21 March 2014
FC Publication: