As global temperatures rise, so does the price tag for climate action. At a pivotal Summer Davos 2025 session titled 'Where's the Capital for Climate?', experts grappled with mobilizing the trillions needed to meet climate goals – particularly for emerging economies.
The discussion followed COP29's landmark $300 billion annual climate commitment, which panelists acknowledged as progress but emphasized remains insufficient. 'We need to move from billions to trillions through innovative financing models,' stated China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin, highlighting blended finance approaches combining public and private capital.
Kenya's Energy Minister James Opiyo Wandayi stressed 'the urgent need for accessible funding mechanisms' in developing nations, while Standard Bank Group Chair Nonkululeko Nyembezi proposed 'scaling carbon credit markets with robust verification systems.' Alterra CEO Majid Al Suwaidi added that 'climate investments must demonstrate clear returns to attract institutional capital.'
The session concluded with consensus on three priorities: streamlining multilateral funding processes, creating de-risking instruments for green projects, and establishing transparent metrics for climate investments. As nations prepare for COP30, this dialogue marks a critical step in reimagining global climate finance architecture.
