Financing Climate Mitigation and Resilience: Lessons from Hawaii

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on innovative efforts to finance and implement climate change mitigation and resilience projects. Featuring a panel from Hawaii, the briefing explored steps the state is taking to reach carbon neutrality and run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. Hawaii’s top climate change official discussed state-wide efforts to lead on climate, and the Executive Director of one of the most robust green banks in the country spoke about its unique features and how it supports companies, communities, and individuals as they work towards Hawaii’s climate goals in an equitable way.

SPEAKERS:

Alex Kragie
Director of the American Green Bank Consortium, Coalition for Green Capital

Gwen Yamamoto Lau
Executive Director, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (Hawaii Green Bank)

Anukriti Hittle
Climate Coordinator, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

Adam Borrello
Executive Director, North Shore Community Land Trust of Hawaii

Question & Answer Session

Financing climate resilience projects is essential, but it is a tough nut to crack because the return on investment is not always clear. During this briefing, panelists discussed efforts in Hawaii and across the country to finance and carry out projects to address sea level rise and increase coastal resilience. From organizations partnering with federal agencies to increase nature-based solutions along the coast to incentives designed around insurance pricing, these innovative climate and financing solutions will be key to addressing climate impacts around the country.

States across the country have set ambitious climate goals, and understanding how to fund these initiatives in an equitable way that sees a return on investment is essential. Congress will play a key role in unleashing the potential of financing to decarbonize the economy and increase resilience to climate impacts. Learn about work happening across the state of Hawaii and how it can be replicated and scaled in your state or district.