By Amy Quirk, A Golden Opportunity: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Finance plays an important role in climate action. Where we place our money can significantly impact a community’s ability to adapt in a rapidly changing climate. As people of faith who care about the dignity and worth of all people, we have an active role to play to ensure funds are distributed equitably, particularly for nations and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Finance is a key topic at COP27 this year, providing a golden opportunity for the Interfaith Power & Light community, as well as our colleagues, to learn more about funding climate work. Abatement, adaptation, decarbonization, loss and damage, mitigation, protection of nature, as well as resilience, will all require financial support. As faithful advocates, we can ensure those resources are matched to those who need them the most.
To become more strategic and effective advocates, no matter which area of climate work we pursue, we must increase our financial literacy. The flow of funds into climate work is real and increasing. This is even reflected in the registrations for COP27, as more members from the financial community have gained interest in participating.
Important financial resources not only include government funding, but also sovereign banks, multilateral development banks, “blended finance,” private equity, philanthropy, and more.
To assist in preparing for Finance Day, here are several portals on climate finance education:
- United Nations Introduction to Climate Finance
- United Nations Environmental Program Finance Initiative
- The Nature Conservancy’s “The Playbook for Climate Finance”
Stay tuned for summaries of the sessions and announcements, but for now, please consider partaking in what is being offered directly from COP27 on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 is Finance Day. The sessions in the U.S. Center at COP27 are listed here and can be accessed here.
Amy Quirk
