Greenomics: The Linchpin of Finances for India’s Greener Future (Part I)
Investment is the core-&-corner stone of economic development. And in recent times, a new imperative has emerged i.e., the need for green and sustainable finance. These financial approaches are not just buzzwords; they represent a fundamental shift in economic thinking, one that seeks to balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility.
The Reserve Bank of India has laid a roadmap for India’s Greener Future — we will talk about that too. As we delve into the concepts of sustainable finance, green finance, and climate finance, exploring their importance, we will also get to know how they are shaping India’s economic landscape.
Understanding Sustainable Finance, Green Finance & Climate Finance
Sustainable finance is a comprehensive term that encompasses a wide range of financial activities aimed at contributing to sustainable development. It considers four key performance dimensions: environmental, social, governance, and economic aspects. This holistic approach acknowledges that for true progress, economic growth must be harmonized with environmental protection, social equity, and good governance.
Green finance, a subset of sustainable finance, zeroes in on environmental concerns while excluding social and economic factors. It is primarily concerned with funding initiatives related to environmental sustainability. In essence, green finance seeks to channel financial resources into projects and activities that directly address environmental challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion.
Climate finance is a specific form of green finance that is dedicated to addressing climate change. It includes financial support, both at local and global levels, and is drawn from diverse sources, including public, private, and alternative funding channels. The urgency of climate finance lies in its role in significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aiding in the adaptation to climate change’s adverse impacts.
UNEP’s Dual Strategy for Climate Finance: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) plays a critical role in climate finance through a systematic, two-pronged approach. Firstly, UNEP collaborates with private-sector financial institutions, including banks, investors, and insurers, to help them comprehend and mitigate climate-related risks. This also involves seizing commercial opportunities arising from climate action and aligning portfolios with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Secondly, UNEP works with governments, particularly in developing countries, to facilitate access to climate finance from various sources such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility. This collaborative effort extends to other bilateral and multilateral public sources as well.
India’s Sustainability Odyssey — RBI Way
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has embarked on a significant journey towards embracing green and sustainable finance, as evidenced in its recent report for the financial year 2022–23, aptly titled ‘Towards a Greener Cleaner India.’ Released in May 2023, this report underscores India’s ambitious pursuit of sustainable development, even in the face of limited climate financing.
India has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to mitigating climate change through bold policy measures aimed at achieving Net Zero goals. The RBI’s report further solidifies this commitment by presenting a comprehensive roadmap for transitioning towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly economy.
Key Highlights of the Report
Reducing Carbon Emissions and Conserving Resources:
The report emphasizes the pressing need for sustainable development practices within the country. It particularly highlights the importance of reducing carbon emissions and conserving natural resources. In doing so, it encourages thoughtful discourse and ideation aimed at addressing potential challenges to India’s high-growth trajectory.
Monetary Measures and ESG Considerations:
The RBI’s report introduces monetary measures designed to stimulate continued investment in energy-efficient sectors. These measures include offering low-cost funds to banks for lending to renewable energy projects and reducing reserve requirements for green projects. These initiatives are geared toward reducing the costs associated with sustainable investments, making them more attractive to businesses. Furthermore, the RBI’s emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations aligns with global trends. Investors worldwide are increasingly demanding transparency regarding a company’s ESG performance, recognizing the intrinsic link between financial success and responsible corporate behavior.
A Call for Ambitious Green Financing:
The report puts forth a staggering statistic: India’s green financing requirement is estimated to be at least 2.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually until 2030. This substantial investment is essential for India to realize its net-zero emissions target by 2070. Achieving this goal necessitates an annual reduction of approximately 5 percent in the energy intensity of GDP and a substantial shift toward renewables, aiming for a 70 percent share in the energy mix by 2070–71, up from the current 5.5 percent.
The Role of Green Finance in Sustainable Development:
The report also underscores the pivotal role of green finance in supporting sustainable development. The RBI highlights that green finance can be a significant source of funding for renewable energy projects, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable transport systems. It emphasizes the need for financial institutions to develop green finance products and services that facilitate the transition toward a more sustainable economy.
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development: The report also acknowledges the importance of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management in India. As one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, India has a significant role in conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The RBI’s call for financial institutions to support sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation agriculture and organic farming, is pivotal for achieving sustainable development goals in the agricultural sector.
In summary, the Reserve Bank of India’s recent report underscores the transformative power of green and sustainable finance. It emphasizes the imperative of aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility, acknowledging that India’s harmonious coexistence between economic progress and environmental stewardship journey towards a greener and cleaner future is not only possible but also essential. With concerted efforts, visionary policies, and strategic investments, India can lead the way in demonstrating how sustainable finance can drive economic prosperity while safeguarding the planet for future generations.
In the next part, we will talk about some more developments in this sphere and how to implement it practically and have a domino effect on collaborative opportunities.
About the Author
The author, Smruti Sweta Samantray, a Climate Reality Mentor, at The Climate Reality Project, has been advocating sustainability education, especially in the preschool segment, and in the allied areas of sustainability for more than seven years now. Academically, she has pursued a Master’s in Mass Communication, and Environmental Law. Currently, she is working as Manager of Communication and Collaboration at The Climate Project Foundation (The Climate Reality Project — India & South Asia branch). Professionally, she is known in the domain of marketing communications for her innovative/ creative initiatives, for ten years. She has written 3500+ feature stories along with research papers (one of them published with Cambridge Scholar Publishing), and reviewed 40+ books. She is very enthusiastic, and passionately working towards communication in the sphere of sustainability and CSR.
To know more about her, take a peek at her LinkedIn profile.
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