The Nordics Shine a light in the future: and it is green!

We all know that unless we abide to capping +2 degrees, the world is at serious risk. We also agree that reducing climate impact activities requires funds, lots of it.
The finance market knows how to spot an opportunity and climate change is no exception. They looked at the requirements to adapt and comply to #SDGs and saw that it should be considered as an investment opportunity and in 2008, World Bank was the first one to issue a Green Bond in 2008.
In ten years, Green Bonds market has developed to include different issuers: banks, corporations, municipalities and federal governments. The bonds provide much needed capital to establish renewable energy grids, low carbon construction and retrofitting, energy efficiency cars, appliances, waste management and much more.
There is a stringent verification process and external reviews to secure compliance. Bonds that allocate 95% of the proceeds to green projects can quality as green.
Nordic countries are the front runners in this new green investment global market. Sweden leads the way having issued over EUR10bn.
The reason behind the growth of Green bonds in the Nordic countries is regulation: governments have set priorities for energy and climate policies, as well as guidelines addressing building codes and strict energy efficiency requirements for all building types and renovations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSk6CDnAb1o&t=1s
Regulations work. But incentives are also needed. The Swedish government is currently working on issuing a national green bond — similar to the one created by the French government.
Green bonds growth is still shy from the investment needed if we are to meet the climate targets set up in Paris.
For the global finance to make a substantial impact the green bond market has to reach US$1tn by 2020. The forecast for 2018 is US$ 250–300bn according to Climate Bonds.
To find out more about the role of the Nordics in green finance, read
https://www.climatebonds.net/files/reports/cbi-the_green_bond_market_in_the_nordics.pdf