Sustainable Growth Newswire
EPF compiles a selection of policy oriented-research from around the globe pertaining to its policy initiatives. To receive a weekly email of the newswire, please subscribe to our newsletter
Emerging Markets: Assessment of Hard-Currency Bond Market
At the time of this writing, economies across the globe are dealing with the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging market economies that have less room for fiscal and monetary maneuvering could potentially be hit hard by the crisis. For the eventual economic recovery, however, governments and issuers may see green and social bonds as a way of meeting environmental goals, mitigating the negative health and socioeconomic impacts, building sustainable financial systems, and transitioning to a more balanced world…
Global Future Council on Infrastructure: Six Qualities of Sustainable Infrastructure
The power that infrastructure has to affect economies and societies is enormous. Infrastructure undergirds commercial life, provides vital social services, and supports human interaction around the world and across the street. Increasingly, however, decision-makers and experts are looking to infrastructure to move from supporting the world, to shaping the world. Leaders in the public and private sector are becoming ever more aware of the importance of building a more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable world. But this world cannot be…
How the World Bank is Looking at COVID-19 and Public-Private Partnerships, Right Now and Post-Crisis
Last month, the World Bank kicked off a marathon of brainstorming sessions with national PPP units and government representatives across the globe to get a sense of how COVID-19 (the coronavirus) is affecting their PPP programs. The intention is to proactively support countries as they put in place crisis management and recovery strategies to prevent, mitigate, and backstop distressed PPP projects. While the World Bank surging to address COVID-19, this is part of an integrated approach to help mobilize private…
Why Blended Finance Can Narrow the Asean Infrastructure Gap
Despite infrastructure development being the bedrock for several governments in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), infrastructure projects are still not getting the financing they need. This situation is much more pressing when it comes to supporting sustainable infrastructure such as renewable energy, with countries wanting to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). In a paper entitled, Bridging the Gap: Funding of Sustainable Infrastructure in Asean, the council says blended finance, which involves the participation of public…
The Impact of COVID-19 on Logistics
Logistics firms, which are involved in the movement, storage, and flow of goods, have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an integral part of value chains, both within and across international borders, logistics firms facilitate trade and commerce and help businesses get their products to customers. Supply chain disruptions to the sector caused by the pandemic could, therefore, impact competitiveness, economic growth, and job creation. International Finance Corporation | The Impact of COVID-19 on Logistics
Impact of COVID-19 on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Sector in Asia: Outlook Remains Robust for the Infrastructure Sector
COVID-19 has caused disruptions in every sector imaginable and it has not spared the infrastructure construction sector. Anecdotally, there are many reports of delays in infrastructure projects, due to supply chain disruptions and low mobility among workers. This note analyses the infrastructure sector via the lens of major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors that are actively involved in infrastructure projects in Asia. By tracking more recent data of 24 such contractors, it is possible to get insights into the…
Asia and the Pacific Renewable Energy Status Report
This report provides a comprehensive overview of renewable energy developments in Asia and the Pacific by examining the policy landscape, investment flows, and how renewables are increasing energy access. It covers 18 countries in the region considered fundamental to the clean energy transition. REN21 Renewables Now | Asia and the Pacific Renewable Energy Status Report
A Green Investment Architecture for India: Building a Bridge for Global Capital
The Indian government estimates that the country needs to spend 7-8 percent of its GDP on green infrastructure each year, an annual investment of USD 200 billion up to 2030. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates for climate-smart investment are even higher, at USD 3.1 trillion up to 2030, which implies an annual investment of USD 300 billion. Currently, infrastructure investments in India average around USD 100-110 billion annually, far below what is required. While the government has released a…