Climate change is one of the most serious environmental risks to any living species on the planet. ASEAN countries are experiencing the effects of global climate change. Climate-related disasters within the regions include an increase in the frequency of drought, changes in rapid rainfall and record-breaking rainfall violations, an increase in strong wind speed and intensity, an increase in the frequency of floods and cyclones, extremely high temperature rise, and sea level rise. As a result, many countries, including ASEAN, are attempting to combat climate change by using just and sustainable policy tools such as green financing and issuing green bonds.
What exactly is Green Finance?
Green finance, according to the G20 green finance research group in 2016, is “the financing of investments that provide environmental benefits in the context of environmentally sustainable development.” Green finance comprises all activities undertaken by commercial and public entities in designing, marketing, implementing, and supporting projects with long-term consequences using financial instruments.
Pollution, prevention, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste systems initiatives are mentioned under population, waste, and water. Green finance policy includes private equity funds, loan agreements, and environmental protection via financial services such as stocks and insurance.
Green finance policy also refers to policies and organizational strategies aimed at attracting private investment in environmentally friendly businesses such as energy conservation and sustainable energy. Financial markets are increasingly using sustainable development goals to evaluate green and sustainable finance.
ASEAN Green Bonds
ASEAN countries account for six of the world’s major green bond markets, with a combined value of $2.5 trillion in 2016 (ADBI). In 2018, ASEAN issued a record number of green bonds. It is also another contribution to market development aimed at making the economy greener and more resilient by lowering regional carbon emissions. It is also one of the best methods to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a long-term vision of sustainable development goals.
Governments, banks, and corporation issue Green Bonds to raise funds for climate change solutions. Bond issuers whose income are sourced from climate-aligned assets and green business, according to the assessment of the ASEAN green finance State of the Market report. This issuer is also known as a Fully aligned climate issuer. Bond issuers with a climate score of 75% to 95% are likewise deemed strongly aligned.
According to the diversification of the ASEAN green bond market, non-financial firms are the largest group of green bond issuers, accounting for 30% of total issuance in the area from the issued date. Nonetheless, the issuance of non-financial organizations ranged from four issuers of the six ASEAN countries with a green bond market: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Green loans are also the most robust financial market, accounting for US$1.1 billion, or 22.5% of ASEAN’s total.
Opportunities for Green Investment in ASEAN Countries
According to the report made by UN and DBS, the cost of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals for all middle-income countries from 2016 to 2020 is estimated at US$22 trillion. Using 2016 GDP to allocate to ASEAN nations in this area suggests more than $5 trillion in regional investment prospects. If investment expenditures are considered long-term, the costs of achieving SDGs might approach $5 trillion over the same time span.
The green investment prospects for ASEAN countries were analyzed in primary sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, infrastructure, agriculture, and land use. The expected investment opportunity for developing solar, hydropower, and wind power projects based on renewable energy sectors is over US$ 400 billion. The expected investment prospects for developing ASEAN infrastructure projects linked to racial, telecommunication, climate mitigation, waste management, smart cities, and energy distribution are the biggest, with US$ 1,800 billion.
Using the expected assessment yields investment potential for ASEAN countries ranging from $2,650 billion to $3,000 billion between 2016 and 2030. There is empirical evidence that environmental and sustainable development policies are becoming increasingly rapid. On the other hand, technological prices are reducing quicker than expected.
The core framework for utilization of Green Finance
Although green finance resources are limited for optimal use in the construction of green infrastructure, the requirement for economic impact is to boost green finance investment. Furthermore, investment from both the public and commercial sectors will be required to close the green infrastructure deficit. Markets and public policy must generate opportunities for the government and private finance sectors.
The fundamental way to promote private sector participation in sustainable financing is to restructure investment tax credits and integrate both regulation and the private market into an efficient private-public partnership.
Because corporations worsen social exclusion and environmental degradation, green financial markets must be effectively controlled to support green projects. A stronger emphasis on developing environmentally and socially responsible productivity in resource-based businesses can contribute to higher living standards and a more robust economy in society.
These were large and complex questions facing ASEAN countries when implementing the green initiatives. At a minimum, they had to decide what, if any, fine-tuning adjustments needed to be made in their green finance strategies. The question is, where to next?