Natural ecosystems have declined by 47% compared to their earliest estimated state, 25% of species are already threatened with extinction, the biomass of wild animals has decreased by 82%. The losses to biodiversity and its consequences on both economies and our Earth’s well-being are becoming more evident, while the world…
Green finance in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that deals with climate change by mitigation or adaptation has received much attention over the past months. A topic that is gaining momentum for a “green Belt and Road Initiative” is green finance for biodiversity – or biofin. Three reasons drive…
For a Chinese version, click here. On July 26, 2019, Kenya’s National Environmental tribunal ruled that the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) license for the Lamu coal fired power plant in Kenya was insufficient and that the construction had to be stopped. While this ruling explicitly states that this…
The original article was published in Chinese by the International Institute of Finance (IIGF) here. Passenger car sales in China have been declining over the past 12 months and experts expect “only” 22 million car sales in China in 2019. This is good news – but not good enough. Car…
“He is my best and bosom friend. I cherish dearly our deep friendship”, said Chinese President Xi on about Russian President Vladimir Putin after China and Russia agreed to upgrade their relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era” during the Annual St. Petersburg International Forum…
On May 20, 2019, the Ministry of Transport and 12 other ministries jointly issued the Green Travel Action Plan (2019-2022), which will further promote the large-scale application of green vehicles and accelerate the construction of charging infrastructure. China will also continue to improve public transportation facilities, connectivity and information systems…
On the surface, the global community agrees: We need sustainable development – for the benefit of all. However, in practice, the devil lies in the details – and in different priorities of nations and organizations in trying to achieve the triple bottom line: economic growth, social development, and ecological protection.…
Leading up to the 2nd Belt and Road Forum from April 24-26 in Beijing, various working groups, think tanks and government agencies published accounts of the past achievements and challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). One of these accounts was given by the Advisory Council of the Belt…
This is an extended version of the China Daily’s article from April 26. In 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Environment together with 4 other ministries released the “Guidance on Promoting Green Belt and Road”. Realizing this ambition requires green finance – the full range of financial services that support the…
In April 2019, the 2nd “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation” will be held in Beijing with many heads of governments and business shaking hands and discussing opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Until then, critics and proponents of the Belt and Road Initiative will increasingly weigh…