Unlocking Private Finance in Climate Adaptation for a Resilient Future

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Unlocking Private Finance in Climate Adaptation for a Resilient Future

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Description :

The effects of the climate crisis are no longer merely a concern for tomorrow, but an existential threat to livelihoods today. 2023 saw nearly 400 notable natural disasters across the globe, amounting to US$380 billion in economic losses. Yet, the global adaptation finance gap is estimated to be US$194-366 billion per year. This lack of adequate public and private adaptation and resilience investments exacerbates the potential impact of rising physical climate risks particularly in developing markets including in Asia.

While investing in climate adaptation has often been seen as a public funding issue, the lack of participation from the private sector often stems from a misunderstanding of the potential returns and opportunities in adaptation and resilience projects. Studies have shown that the benefit-to-cost ratios could range from 2:1 to upwards of 10:1.

This panel will expand on the business case for financing adaptation, highlight where these investment opportunities lie, and discuss how private finance for climate adaptation projects can be catalysed and scaled.

Speakers :

Marisa Drew

Chief Sustainability Officer

Standard Chartered Bank
Jay Koh

Co-founder & Managing Director, The Lightsmith Group

Founder & Chair, Global Adaptation & Resilience Investment Working Group (GARI)
Tom Moody

Regional Director Southeast Asia, Climate and Energy

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Lubomir Varbanov

Managing Director & Head of Public Sector Solutions, Asia Pacific

Swiss Re
Moderator :

Dave Sivaprasad

Managing Director & Partner

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)