Financing Renewable Energy Research Articles

How does political stability affect renewable energy finance? International evidence

How does political stability affect renewable energy finance? International evidence

JUE Insight: The labor market effects of place-based policies: Evidence from England’s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

Neighbourhood renewal programs are a type of place-based policy that aim to revive underperforming localities. The literature on place-based policies has found mixed results regarding their effects on local labor market outcomes, but there are relatively few studies of policies that aim to improve local labor supply. In this paper we examine the labor market effects of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which targeted 88 of the most deprived areas in England during the early 2000s as part of the Labour government’s National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. The fund disbursed almost £3 billion for spending on community safety, education, healthcare and worklessness, with supply-side interventions making up the bulk of the program’s spending on worklessness. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find statistically significant impacts on local employment. Our results suggest that policy interventions to improve local labor supply can be a successful strategy for neighborhood renewal.

Micro-mechanisms of digitalization-driven financing for renewable energy: Growing capital pools and shifting flows

Recent facts from China suggest that the advancement of digitalization is altering the market expectations regarding renewable energy. Limited studies have offered evidence encompassing the stock effect of digitalization that enhanced corporate financing and the flow effect that initiated speculative behavior. However, a comprehensive discourse remains insufficient. This paper investigates the synergetic effects of digitalization's stock and flow on renewable energy financing, employing the business data of all listed companies in China from 2003 to 2023. The results demonstrate that: (1) Digitalization's stock has expanded the potential fund pool for renewable energy financing, yet it is challenging to influence the flow of funds; digitalization's flow has triggered a flood of funds into the renewable energy industry, but this relies on the new investors attracted by the stock. (2) The synergetic effect governs the systematic influence of digitalization on renewable energy financing and mitigates the measurement bias when considering only a single effect. (3) We further contemplate the indirect effects of renewable energy market expansion, technological progress, and global energy market fluctuations, alleviating concerns regarding the omitted variable bias. The results of the differential regression and generalized method of moments also indicate the robustness of the conclusion.

Project finance or corporate finance for renewable energy? an agent-based insight

State-of-the-art macroeconomic agent-based models (ABMs) include an increasing level of detail in the energy sector. However, the possible financing mechanisms of renewable energy are rarely considered. In this study, an investment model for power plants is conceptualized, in which energy investors interact in an imperfect and decentralized market network for credits, deposits and project equity. Agents engage in new power plant investments either through a special purpose vehicle in a project finance (PF) structure or via standard corporate finance (CF). The model portrays the growth of new power generation capacity, taking into account technological differences and investment risks associated with the power market. Different scenarios are contrasted to investigate the influence of PF investments on the transition. Further, the effectiveness of a simple green credit easing (GCE) mechanism is discussed. The results show that varying the composition of the PF and CF strategies significantly influences the transition speed. GCE can recover the pace of the transition, even under drastic reductions in PF. The model serves as a foundational framework for more in-depth policy analysis within larger agent-based integrated assessment models.

Debt as catalyst: Empowering renewable energy in developing countries

Financing renewable energy (RE) is essential for transitioning to green energy. Debt finance plays a significant role in shifting from conventional to green energy, with the global percentage of debt financing increasing from 23% in 2013 to 56% in 2020. Previous studies have examined the impact of green finance on RE. This study examines the impact of debt financing on RE capacity in 12 developing countries from 2000 to 2020. Green finance covers various financial tools for environmental sustainability. Therefore, a distinction between green and debt financing impact on RE is essential. The study uncovers a U-shaped relationship between debt financing and RE, suggesting that while initial debt financing may hinder RE deployment beyond a certain level, debt financing promotes RE deployment. The study also draws attention to the influence of financial market conditions, indicating that developing countries can effectively utilize debt finance in favorable financial markets to negate the initial negative impact on RE deployment. These findings offer financial strategists and policymakers valuable insights to support debt financing and increase RE deployment.

An Investigation into the Models for Financing Renewable Energy Production in Low-Income Settlements in Gauteng, South Africa: A Review

South Africa faces a lack of reliable, modern electricity, essential for economic and social development. Many communities in Gauteng, particularly rural, informal settlements, are not connected to the national grid, leaving 39 percent of the province's residents in darkness and relying on paraffin and gas to survive the cold winters. In addition, these two components increase the number of dead fires in unofficial regulation and the price of electricity camps, increasing the load on the poor. In this study, we surveyed existing literature on the affordable funding model of renewable energy sources, collected primary data in structured industry interviews and stakeholders. This research focused on this survey, focusing on domestic recurring models and analysing the appropriate financing model and financial exhibition source project funding, green finance, public, private partnership, Government subsidies and private investors also instruct foreign investors. Financial procurement model is mixed. In this study, we have developed a framework that allows representatives to link to the outlook of financiers and decision -making, using a mixed methodology approach, and allows you to allow reliable and useful research results. This gap represents a significant obstacle to renewable energy financing. Furthermore, the results indicate that innovative financing channels are needed to promote renewable energy development in Gauteng and South Africa, as traditional financing methods have had little effect in stimulating renewable energy development. Furthermore, the results show that green energy investors consider renewable energy sources to be very risky, even when supported by government policies. Therefore, the study proposes a financing model that brings together funders into small financial consortia to fund local renewable energy projects using a blended financing model. Such a model would spread risk across multiple investors, thereby reducing the potential risks of investments while achieving the goals and benefiting from tax credits and other incentives for investing in renewable energy.

Strategic Workforce Analysis: Identifying Skills and Gaps Among Frontline Public Health Workers Amidst Transformation.

Recent shifts in public health (PH) include consistent budget cuts, workforce attrition, and loss of vital skills and institutional knowledge followed by heightened pandemic-driven attention, new responsibilities, and renewed funding. This study investigates whether frontline employees working in different types of public health departments have different educational characteristics and whether these characteristics are associated with differentials in skill gaps toward informing targeted interventions to nurture a competitive workforce. Utilizing 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data, we document variations in educational qualifications, skill gaps, and workforce characteristics among frontline workers in different sizes of health departments and examine attributes associated with skill gaps: level and field of education, years of experience, program areas, and job classifications using a negative binomial model. Skill gaps in resource management, systems and strategic thinking, and change management persist across all local health departments (LHDs), but the extent of these gaps is greater in small LHDs. Small LHDs also have few employees with graduate and public health degrees. Additionally, whereas public health degrees were not associated with fewer skill gaps, tenure in public health was, suggesting people learn on the job. The results highlight the role regional training centers can play in emphasizing the need for strategic skills and foundational public health concepts, as well as customizing training content by agency size and educational levels to improve accessibility, particularly for small LHDs with resource constraints.

Northeast Bank of Brazil's Role in Promoting Entrepreneurial Innovation in Family Farming through Renewable Energy Financing

Objective: This study aims to analyze the influence of Banco do Nordeste (Northeast Bank of Brazil) in promoting innovative entrepreneurship in family farming through its renewable energy financing policies. Method: A quantitative research methodology was employed, involving a survey of 164 family farmers located in the rural areas of Rio Grande do Norte. The collected data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) to assess the relationships between entrepreneurial innovation, renewable energy adoption, and competitive advantage in family farming. Results: The findings demonstrate that innovative entrepreneurship facilitated by Banco do Nordeste's financing policies significantly contributes to 59.5% of the development in family farming. Furthermore, renewable energy adoption is shown to have a considerable influence, accounting for 39.3% of the entrepreneurial innovation by lowering operational costs and minimizing environmental impacts. These results underscore the critical role of Banco do Nordeste in supporting regional development and encouraging sustainable practices among family farmers. Conclusions: The study concludes that Banco do Nordeste’s renewable energy financing policies are instrumental in fostering entrepreneurial innovation and promoting the sustainable development of family farming. This emphasizes the need for increased awareness and dissemination of such financing programs to enhance their effectiveness. Additionally, the development of a framework for analyzing entrepreneurial innovation in family farming offers a valuable resource for future research and policy development.

Assessing the potential for energy efficiency improvements in Latin America and Caribbean

This study assesses energy intensity trends in the Latin America and Caribbean region, identifies key regional drivers for energy efficiency improvements, and proposes policy recommendations using a rich panel dataset of 25 Latin American countries over the last 20 years. The results of the Fisher Ideal Index Decomposition, followed by the regression analysis, demonstrate that sectoral energy efficiency improvements account for most of the historical energy intensity declines in the region, also highlighting the importance of energy prices and regulatory policies. Counterfactual simulations show potential for significant improvements in otherwise stagnant energy intensity in the region by eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and achieving better national planning, strengthening implementation and governance capacity, and improving access to energy efficiency financing mechanisms.

Do development finance projects facilitate domestic renewable energy transitions? The role of small economic actors in Senegal

The diffusion of renewable energy (RE) in the Global South requires a significant mobilization of financial resources, of which public development finance contributes a substantial share. By focusing on the recipient side of development finance flows for RE and looking at one specific group of actors – micro, small- and medium enterprises (MSME) in Senegal – we are able to investigate the extent to which RE development financing is benefiting MSMEs while driving RE diffusion. Our empirical findings build on an explorative interview study conducted during field research in Senegal from 2019 to 2022. Making use of a multi-level perspective including that of finance, we conduct a two-step analysis. First, we analyze the level of financial support RE finance programs provide MSMEs. Second, we look closely into two specific RE projects that support MSMEs to examine whether funding is reaching these local actors to help drive RE dissemination from the bottom up. We find that the majority of RE development projects focus on large-scale energy plants and that MSMEs receive only marginal shares of the development funding. The lion's share of the funding goes to large-scale plant projects, which, in fact, make a limited socio-economic impact on the region. In contrast, projects driven by MSMEs respond to specific local needs and spur economic activity. Our findings contribute to the literature on transition studies and political economy of the energy transition.

Utilization of project support for renewable energy financing in public buildings: A solar carport feasibility example

Utilization of project support for renewable energy financing in public buildings: A solar carport feasibility example

Opportunities for U.S.-China engagement on development finance for overseas renewable energy

Opportunities for U.S.-China engagement on development finance for overseas renewable energy

Impact of Islamic Banking on Global Commerce and Business

This research paper aims to critically analyze the place of Islamic banking in the international business environment, drawing on its theoretical tenets, historic antecedents, empirical data, and societal-political repercussions. Based on Islamic Shariah law, Islamic banking provides an alternate form of the banking system that adheres to Islamic law concerning moral risk-sharing and asset-based financing. In undertaking the study, systematic case analysis of the IIOs, statistical analysis, and qualitative research are used to assess the impact of Islamic banking on economic growth, financial inclusion for its population, and overall financial stability. The opportunities and challenges demonstrated in the research case relate to the effect of Islamic banking on consumer behavior, entrepreneurial endeavors, culture, and identity. The innovation and development in Islamic Banking, the use of technology adoption in Islamic banks, renewable finance, and market access in Islamic Banking are also discussed. The study raises the question of how governments can move forward to collapsing obstacles, developing market awareness, and fostering ethical finance and innovations in ethical finance to develop proper ethical finance in the world economy. The study becomes relevant in providing the banking, trade/commerce and ethics literature with important insights to appreciate and appreciate the presumably positive role of Islamic banking, particularly in responding to the existing global challenges that are detrimental to human activities.

Retraction Note: Assessment of the role of renewable energy financing and information and communication technology in carbon neutrality: evidence from RCEP economies.

Retraction Note: Assessment of the role of renewable energy financing and information and communication technology in carbon neutrality: evidence from RCEP economies.

Placing the North American Post-war Pedestrian Mall Within the Legacy of Downtown Urban Renewal

This paper investigates how the pedestrian mall concept evolved and was broadly replicated in the post-war period in North America, specifically positioning downtown pedestrian malls as a case study of urban renewal ideas and practices. This research describes how ideas of pedestrianization evolved from a modernist utopian concept, to a more constrained pragmatic approach that was widely implemented. Furthermore, this research links the proliferation of pedestrian malls to federal urban renewal funding in the US. Like many mid-century urban renewal projects however, only a few pedestrian malls remain intact today.

DATA-DRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY: HOW FINTECH INNOVATIONS ARE SUPPORTING GREEN FINANCE

In recent years, the intersection of finance and sustainability has garnered significant attention as the global community grapples with the urgent need to address environmental challenges. This abstract explores the role of fintech innovations in supporting green finance through data-driven approaches. Fintech, characterized by its use of technology to enhance financial services, has emerged as a key driver of sustainability by leveraging data analytics, machine learning, and blockchain technology to promote environmental sustainability and facilitate green investments. Fintech innovations are revolutionizing green finance by providing investors, businesses, and consumers with tools and platforms to make informed decisions that align with sustainability objectives. By harnessing the power of big data and advanced analytics, fintech companies are able to analyze vast amounts of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data to assess sustainability risks and opportunities, develop sustainable investment strategies, and track the environmental impact of financial portfolios. One of the key contributions of fintech to green finance is the development of sustainable investment platforms that enable investors to allocate capital towards environmentally friendly projects and companies. These platforms leverage data analytics to screen investments based on ESG criteria, provide transparency into the environmental footprint of investments, and empower investors to make sustainable choices that align with their values and preferences. Furthermore, fintech innovations are facilitating the integration of green finance principles into traditional financial services, such as banking, lending, and insurance. By leveraging blockchain technology, fintech companies are enhancing transparency, traceability, and efficiency in sustainable supply chains, carbon trading, and renewable energy financing. However, challenges remain in harnessing the full potential of data-driven sustainability in fintech. These challenges include data privacy and security concerns, regulatory uncertainties, and the need for greater collaboration and standardization among stakeholders. In conclusion, data-driven sustainability represents a transformative force in green finance, with fintech innovations playing a pivotal role in driving the transition to a more sustainable and resilient financial system. By leveraging data analytics and technology, fintech companies are empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions that promote environmental stewardship and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
 Keywords: Data-Driven, Sustainability, Fintech, Innovation, Green Finance.

Evaluating the Role of Sustainable Leadership and Technology Integration in Enhancing the Environmental and Social Responsibility of the UAE Banking Sector

This paper analyzes the role of sustainable leadership and technology integration in increasing the environmental and social responsibility of the UAE banking sector. Banks are prominent agents in creating sustainability through their financing activities and processes. Sustainable leadership is more than pursuing profit motives; it includes moral and inclusive decision-making for positive environmental and social impact. Sustainable leadership and enabling technologies contribute to a bank's sustainability indicators. A qualitative literature review combined the scholarly views in this field. Twenty recent peer-reviewed papers were thematically analyzed. This revealed how sustainable bank leaders adopt collaborative approaches involving stakeholders in creating sustainability solutions. Their values-based leadership focuses on long-term impacts and integrating environmental and social factors in bank strategies. Sustainability technologies like AI, big data and blockchain offer tools to implement these strategies. The analysis found that technology aids sustainable leaders in improving banks' eco-efficiency, reducing emissions, managing risks, increasing renewable financing and enabling financial inclusion. This enhances their environmental and social responsibility. Stakeholders like customers, employees and investors generally favour such sustainability integration. However, concerns exist around potential tradeoffs, profitability impacts and the depth of banks' commitment. The review also uncovered implementation challenges, including costs, data deficiencies, staff capabilities and cultural change. Smaller banks significantly lag more prominent entities. Radical strategic realignment rather than incremental changes is required. Public policy plays a crucial role through reporting requirements, emission limits and support frameworks. The limitations of this qualitative synthesis point to future research directions. Statistical meta-analyses could increase the generalizability of findings. Surveys and interviews with experts would provide rich primary data. Comparative analyses of technologies and leadership styles driving the most robust sustainability results would reveal best practices. Longitudinal studies can elucidate the evolution of banks' sustainability approaches over time. In-depth case studies of smaller banks would uncover constraints and potential solutions for mainstreaming sustainability. Action research pilots can test mechanisms to instil sustainable leadership thinking. Policy analyses can identify regulatory measures to accelerate progress. In conclusion, sustainable leadership and technology integration are essential enablers, but not guarantees, of elevating bank sustainability. Realizing their transformative potential requires bank leaders to move from rhetoric to resolute, broad-based action. This necessitates radical strategic reorientation, not just incremental improvements. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is vital, alongside supportive public policies and ongoing research. Sustainable leadership and technologies must remain central in catalyzing a systemic transition towards responsible banking aligned with urgent sustainability imperatives.

Renewable energy financing by state investment banks: Evidence from OECD countries

While governments increasingly employ state investment banks (SIBs) to finance renewable energy projects, whether these institutions’ actual behavior aligns with expectations remains uncertain. Here, we assess the predictors of SIB involvement in renewable energy deals in OECD countries using a fixed-effects logit model. Our results show greater SIB involvement in higher-risk technologies such as offshore wind and biomass but decreased activity once domestic markets for solar photovoltaics mature. Contrary to what the literature suggests, however, SIBs show no increased involvement in first projects using novel technology, unlike other public-sector lenders, and less involvement in smaller renewable energy deals. The evidence on whether SIBs mobilize private sector lenders or crowd them out favors the former but remains equivocal. We conclude by discussing the implications for policymakers regarding the mandates and guidelines for SIBs.

Expanding Outcomes in Cancer Screening Safety Net Programs: Promoting Sustainability and Policy Reform.

Community-engaged patient navigation safety net programs are established as an evidence-based approach to address cancer prevention and early detection efforts, but barriers to expand and sustain such programs persist. In addition, few studies describe how these programs impact buy-in among communities and policy change within health care systems and government. We describe how we used the Capacity for Sustainability Framework to guide efforts for program sustainability and community, institutional, and policy level change in a breast cancer screening and patient navigation safety net program. The nine domains of the Capacity for Sustainability Framework were used to develop program logic models, to inform program implementation and quality improvement agendas, and to guide multi-level partner and stakeholder engagement, outreach, and dissemination of outcomes. The program is currently in its seventh year and continues to be annually funded by a city public health department. In 2021, additional 5-year renewable funding from a state public health department was secured. In addition, institutional program support was expanded for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Program leaders worked with policymakers to draft legislation to support training certification and third-payor reimbursement for patient navigators and community health workers. The program is well-known and trusted among community members, community-based organizations, and providers. Community, organizational, and policy-level outcomes demonstrate that community-engaged patient navigation safety net programs can influence more than individual and interpersonal outcomes and can be sustained over time.

Energy Efficiency Financing, an Opportunity to Reduce Energy Poverty in the South-East Region of Romania

Energy Efficiency Financing, an Opportunity to Reduce Energy Poverty in the South-East Region of Romania