Fluctuations in Green Finance and Non-Renewable Energy Production

The <scp>SDGs</scp>: A change agenda shaping the future of business and humanity at large

This chapter explores the evolution in the design of green portfolios in the financial industry. The green portfolio targets environmental returns, such as reducing the effects of climate change through low-carbon initiatives, making resources more efficient, and minimizing pollution. The alignment strategies for these kinds of non-financial returns assume different forms, increasingly subject to regulation from legal and financial authorities. Within this context, portfolios of investments closely aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular to SDG Green Themes, are registering rapid growth. A growing number of sustainability portfolios target environment-related UN SDGs, such as clean water and sanitation (SDG 8), climate action (SDG 13), and affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). In addition, the simultaneous pressures for transparency in the green alignment, deriving from the adoption of recent legislative and regulatory standards in this field, are forcing financial actors to adopt more standardized and compliant solutions for their green portfolio strategies. This chapter gives an overview of the most important strategies adopted in designing green portfolios in the financial industry, and describes the role of the financial intermediation chain in terms of both opportunities and emerging trends.KeywordsGreen FinanceGreen InvestingESG InvestingSDG InvestingPortfolio alignment

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;AuScope is Australia&amp;amp;#8217;s National Geoscience Research Infrastructure Program. As outlined in is 2020-2030 10-year Strategy&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;, AuScope seeks to provide a world-class research physical and digital infrastructure to help tackle Australia's key geoscience challenges, in particular, food and water sustainability, minerals and energy security, and mitigating impact from geohazards. These challenges tie in directly with the following United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG#6 (Clean Water and Sanitation); SDG#7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG#8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); SDG#9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG#13 (Climate Action) and SDG#15 (Life on Land).&amp;amp;#160;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;#160;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The SDGs were set in 2015 by the UN General Assembly to be achieved by the year 2030. If the global research sector is to support achieving them, is a rethink required? Current practices tend to focus on building infrastructures in domain and/or national/regional and/or sector (research, government, private) and/or institutional/network silos. These are not necessarily enabling global interoperability, reuse and open sharing of data. For example, AuScope is building high-quality geoscience research data and software infrastructures that are at the heart of positioning Australia to meet these SDG challenges. Equivalent geoscience research infrastructures are also being built internationally (EPOS (Europe); EarthScope, EarthCube (USA)) and AuScope is looking for ways to interoperate more effectively with these.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;#160;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Within the international geoscience community some interoperable networks are in place to enable global collaborations that share data and software (e.g., Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF), which develops software infrastructure for the management, dissemination, and analysis of model output and observational climate data; the Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks (FDSN) enables members to coordinate station siting and provide free and open data). However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule.&amp;amp;#160;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;None of the SDGs depend exclusively on geoscience data: all require integration with data from other domains, particularly from the social sciences and humanities. Some initiatives trying to assist data combination between the social sciences and the physical or environmental sciences are emerging (e.g., the Data Documentation Initiative - Cross Domain Integration (DDI-CDI)&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;; the CODATA/ISC Decadal programme on &amp;amp;#8220;Making data work for cross-domain grand challenges&amp;amp;#8221;&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;) , but traditional organizational and funding arrangements do not usually facilitate this. While there are exemplars of how to achieve integration of global domain and cross-domain research infrastructures and data sharing frameworks, we urgently need to leverage these to develop a roadmap that enables global integration of data and research infrastructures, both within the geosciences and beyond, to ensure sustainable production of data, products and services that support the realisation of the UN SDGs by 2030. In doing so, potentially the main tension will be to ensure that in enabling the broader, global transdisciplinary goals of the SDGs that deeper domain science is not compromised, scarce expertise is not misdirected, and that infrastructure developments within the domains are not unduly hampered.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;1&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;https://www.auscope.org.au/news-features/strategy-and-investment-plan-launch&amp;amp;#160; &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;https://ddi-alliance.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DDI4/pages/860815393/DDI+Cross+Domain+Integration+DDI-CDI+Review&amp;amp;#160; &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;https://codata.org/initiatives/strategic-programme/decadal-programme/ &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the critical need for energy transitions to mitigate the climate crisis. The achievement of two energy‐ and climate‐focused SDGs—SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action)—remains uncertain under potential future global energy transition outlooks. This study evaluates the progress toward achieving SDGs 7 and 13 by 2050 under four representative energy transition outlooks through 14 performance indicators derived from a global system dynamics model. Our results reveal a progressive trend in achieving SDGs 7 and 13 under these energy transition outlooks. The overall progress scores toward these two SDGs are estimated as 16.23% in 2030 and 20.06% in 2050 under the most conservative outlook and 65.35% in 2030 and 88.24% in 2050 under the most radical outlook. Although energy transitions contribute to achieving SDGs 7 and 13, our analysis indicates that the world is far off‐track in achieving these SDGs by relying solely on the implementation of energy transition policies. We further suggest promising measures from both the energy sector and other vital sectors to facilitate progress toward achieving the two SDGs.

ABSTRACTAchieving Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) requires a global shift from fossil fuel dependency to sustainable energy sources, yet the role of natural resource rents (NRR) in this transition is paradoxically understudied. Moving beyond linear assumptions, this study uncovers a threshold effect in the NRR‐energy transition nexus: while moderate rents may fund clean energy investments, excessive dependence triggers a “resource curse” that locks nations into fossil fuel pathways. Focusing on 142 countries (2012–2021), we employ a panel threshold model to dissect how five rent types—oil, coal, natural gas, minerals, and forests—differentially shape transition outcomes. The results shows that while high oil and coal rents significantly impede energy transition, natural gas rents act as a bridge toward cleaner energy due to its lower carbon intensity. Additionally, we identify income‐based disparities in energy transition dynamics: in high‐income countries, excessive resource rents exacerbate fossil fuel reliance, while in lower‐middle‐income economies, economic pressures drive a shift toward renewable energy. The study underscores the resource curse hypothesis, where resource‐rich nations face institutional and economic barriers to clean energy adoption. However, our findings also highlight that through effective policy frameworks, such as those endorsed by the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), countries can effectively manage resource rents to foster a more rapid and equitable energy transition. By leveraging such frameworks, it is possible to channel resource rents toward advancing renewable energy technologies, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and addressing the global climate challenge.

ABSTRACTFinancial inclusion (FI) and green finance (GF) are critical enablers for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and fulfilling objectives outlined in COP 29 related to climate action. FI and GF drive capital mobilization, green investments, and emissions reduction. A comprehensive literature review on FI and GF was conducted on the Web of Science and Scopus databases using VoSviewer and the Bibliometrix package in R. Analysis revealed that GF is mainly connected with digital finance, environmental economics, economic development, human capital, and blockchain. FI is intricately linked to multiple dimensions of sustainable development, including environmental quality, green growth, climate change, urbanization, and trade openness. Moreover, we identified seven clusters underscoring the strong interrelationships between FI, GF, and UN SDGs. Future research can explore key enablers of FI, such as digital technologies, regulatory frameworks, financial literacy, and public–private partnerships, and examine the interplay between FI and monetary policy.

The World Health Organization recognizes that physical activity (PA) during childhood is crucial for healthy development, aligning well with the achievement of several United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aimed to explore the associations between 10 key indicators of PA for children and adolescents assessed in the Global Matrix 4.0 project, and the UN SDGs. Data from 57 countries/jurisdictions of the Global Matrix 4.0 project were used. The UN SDG indicators were sourced from the SDG Transformation Center, which publishes each country's performance on each of the 17 SDGs. Given the robust evidence supporting plausible links between PA and SDGs 3 (good health and well-being), 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 13 (climate action), and 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions), these SDGs were investigated. Countries/jurisdictions with good and moderate performance in achieving SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 11, and SDG 16 had higher grades than countries/jurisdictions with fair performance in achieving these SDGs for the following indicators: Organized Sports and PA, Community and Environment, and Government Investments and Strategies. However, countries/jurisdictions with good performance in achieving SDG 13 had lower grades than countries/jurisdictions with fair performance in achieving SDG 13 for the following indicators: Organized Sports and PA, Community and Environment, and Government Investments and Strategies. Organized Sports and PA, Community and Environment, and Government Investments and Strategies were the indicators that demonstrated differences between countries/jurisdictions with good and poor performance in achieving the SDGs.

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world today. Environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources have been highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), paving the way for modern concepts such as sustainable growth to be introduced. Therefore, this research explores the relationship between green finance, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions in the G7 countries. The study uses panel data model technique to examine the dependence structure of green finance, energy efficiency, and CO2 emissions. Moreover, we use DEA to construct an energy efficiency index of G7 countries. A specific interval exists between the values of the energy efficiency indexes. Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States were named the most energy-efficient countries in the world, based on results obtained for five consecutive years in this category. However, according to the comparative rankings, France and Italy are the most successful of all the G7 members, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany. Our overall findings of the econometric model confirm the negative impact of green finance and energy efficiency on CO2 emissions; however, this relationship varies across the different quantiles of the two variables. The findings in the study confirm that green finance is the best financial strategy for reducing CO2 emissions.

The global shift toward renewable and green energy highlights the critical role of green energy materials in achieving sustainability goals. This paper focuses on how these materials contribute to the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Green energy materials, including photovoltaic materials, thermoelectric materials, electrochemical storage materials, and other materials appear to play a vital role in meeting these pillars. It is found that using these materials, green and renewable energy is projected to contribute up to 55% of global electricity use by 2030. Green energy materials have achieved the three pillars of sustainability. Environmentally, they help to mitigate climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect ecosystems. Economically, these materials foster innovation, create jobs and opportunities, and stimulate economic growth within the green energy sector. Socially, they improve the living standards by providing access to clean energy, reducing health risks, while supporting the development of sustainable cities and communities. By aligning with sustainable development goals, such as clean water, climate action, economic growth, and affordable energy, green energy materials are necessary for achieving a sustainable future. Despite these advances, widespread adoption remains hindered by economic, policy, and technological barriers. Therefore, there is a need for integrative policies, improved lifecycle analysis, and inclusive access to green energy technologies to ensure equitable transition and global sustainability.

Assessment of the pre-combustion carbon capture contribution into sustainable development goals SDGs using novel indicators

This study investigates the influence of green finance, green technology, and eco-innovation on CO2 emissions within ASEAN countries, framed within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Utilizing data from 2002 to 2019 and adopting the Pool Mean Group (PMG) methodology, our analysis sheds light on the critical dynamics between sustainable financial practices, technological advancement in green technologies, and eco-innovative approaches towards achieving significant CO2 emissions reduction. Our findings reveal that green finance significantly empowers the deployment of green technologies and eco-innovations, leading to a notable decrease in CO2 emissions across the studied nations. The study highlights the importance of country-specific policy interventions that cater to the unique economic and technological contexts of ASEAN countries to optimize the contribution of green finance and technology to climate action. These insights offer a valuable guide for policymakers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders in harnessing green finance and technology for environmental sustainability, in alignment with the SDGs. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable development, emphasizing the pivotal role of finance and innovation in environmental stewardship and carbon reduction efforts across ASEAN countries.

A step forward on sustainability: The nexus of environmental responsibility, green technology, clean energy and green finance

The purpose of this study is to examine the specifics of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan’s place and role in it through the prism of compliance with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kazakhstan is one of the most important partners and elements of this initiative in many areas, in particular, in the formation of clean and affordable energy sources – thanks to its resource endowment and natural potential. It is also possible for Kazakhstan to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation with other states by following the UN SDGs, for example, through Goal 7 “Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”. In the process of analysing international contacts in recent years, it was emphasized that the Chinese initiative and the UN SDGs have many common points of convergence, which allows us to speak about their prospects from the point of view of a tool for developing strong foreign policy cooperation in many areas. The results of the work can be used in research on this topic, as well as in the context of forming strategies and plans for the development of an independent energy efficiency system in the country.

This study dwells on xenophobia and the realities of actualizing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) eight in South Africa. It argues that since the emergence of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, which transited to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, there has been a proliferation of literature from scholars of diverse disciplinary orientations. However, none of these studies deal with the phenomenon of xenophobia as a milestone for the attainment of the SDGs in South Africa. This paper, therefore, serves as an intervention to discuss how xenophobia affects the realization/ actualization of the UN’s SDG eight in the area under consideration. Using extant literature and the rational choice theory, it affirms that without peace and partnership with other countries, it would be very difficult for South Africa to attain the UN SDGs it envisages to achieve. To be focused and in-depth in the analysis of the phenomena under consideration the study centers exclusively on the UN SDG eight (even though there are seventeen SDGs of the UN) which hinges on decent work and economic growth. The evidence thrown up led to the major conclusion that the persistent xenophobic attacks and the resultant massive destruction of lives and businesses of foreigners, South Africa’s quest for the full-fledged realization of United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal eight would remain mere paperwork. Given the increasing prevalence of xenophobic attacks in the study area, the paper suggests, among others, the building of meaningful, lasting, and effective partnerships. This entails that xenophobia in the country will be nipped in the bud.

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to investigate the role of sustainable and green finance in advancing UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). We use quantitative bibliometric methods with machine learning-based BERTopic modeling and case study analysis to reveal trends. This study presents a cocitation analysis of the SDGs to visualize the interconnectedness between goals, highlighting the central role of SDG 13 (climate action) and key linkages with SDGs related to economic growth (SDG 8), industry and infrastructure (SDG 9), clean energy (SDG 7), and environmental sustainability (SDGs 6, 15). The findings indicate that innovations such as green fintech, social impact bonds, and risk models are crucial for facilitating renewable investment and mitigating environmental impacts. The identified barriers include high transaction costs and insufficient institutional frameworks in developing countries, hindering the broader adoption of green finance tools. Case studies from South Africa, Brazil, and other developing nations have examined the implementation of green bonds and loans. They highlight significant efforts by stakeholders to use these financial instruments to support SDGs, particularly SDG 7, SDG 13, and SDG 17 (partnerships). However, challenges such as nascent regulatory environments, market barriers, and capacity constraints persist, inhibiting mainstream integration. Key research avenues include quantifying investment needs, tailoring financial instruments, and developing derisking mechanisms to foster cross-sector coordination and international partnerships. The study underscores the necessity of innovative and inclusive financial mechanisms to mobilize capital flows aligned with the priorities of the Global South. Future research directions include the development of advanced data analytics, adaptation to local contexts, technological integration, and exploration of the social dimensions of sustainable finance. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and researchers, emphasizing the crucial role of sustainable finance in driving global sustainability.