Green Finance: Contribution to Climate Policy, Supporting Factors and Barriers
A comprehensive restructuring of economies and a massive increase of investments in climate-friendly technologies, infrastructures, and R&D is needed to reach the Paris targets. The EU has launched a process for greening the financial sector, emphasising the need for new instruments and financial market regulation for aligning investments to sustainability. This chapter summarises research on two topics: (1) what are the main political strategies, especially at EU level, to support green finance, and (2) which are the key supporting factors, barriers and actors for an upscaling of green investments? To assess the relevance of green finance in the financial market and climate policy (with a focus on Austria) an expert survey was conducted. It delivers insights on promising policies and strategies for fostering the growth of green finance. Conclusions can be drawn on instruments (like carbon pricing) that should be integrated in post-COVID stimulus packages to ensure a Paris-aligned recovery.