Sustainable Finance for Sustainable Cities

It is estimated that cities require $350 trillion for the construction, operation, and maintenance of ecologically sustainable urban infrastructure by 2040, however there is currently an annual infrastructure financing gap of $5.6 trillion. This gap is partially caused by a misalignment in the requirements of investors and the ability of city project owners to meet those requirements.

Sustainable finance is the key to unlocking and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In 2018, global ESG investment reached $31 trillion, 7 times its value in 2014.

This reflects the growing momentum in the private sector to integrate environmental and social considerations into mainstream finance, with investors increasingly seeking to ensure their investments leave a positive impact. Covid-19 has accelerated this growth in sustainable finance, as well as created a growing need for cities to build back better, more sustainably, and more resilient to future shocks.

Speakers:
Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen, UNDP
Luanne Sieh, CIMB Group

Moderator:
Natalie Oh, Think City