The pathway for climate investments in turbulent times – annual report 2024
Click here to see the annual report 2024 :”The pathway for climate investments in turbulent times”
Jean Pisani-Ferry, chair of I4CE
We are witnessing a withdrawal of commitments to climate action. In the US, President Donald Trump does not hide his hostility to what he calls the ‘climate hoax’. In Europe and in France, new narratives around competitiveness, strategic autonomy and security are gaining ground, reflecting a new political reality. If there is still a broad consensus on the long-term objective of climate neutrality, how to get there is increasingly challenged, generating uncertainty. The scarcity of fiscal resources impacts the willingness to embark on the green transition.
At the same time, we experience the impact of climate change through extreme weather events with high human, economic and material costs. Hesitations or backtracking on climate action will generate delays that translate into increased costs of mitigation and adaptation easures in the future. We cannot afford it – neither people nor planet. Moreover, decarbonisation delays hamper energy competitiveness.
10 years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, Donald Trump’s withdrawal and determination to increase domestic oil and gas production, put the commitment of others at risk. EU’s leadership and capacity to build new alliances for an ambitious climate agenda at the global level, is needed more than ever. Europe’s clean industrial transition is an opportunity to demonstrate that decarbonisation and competitiveness can go hand-in-hand.
If the context is challenging, 2025 also offers momentum for advancing the cause for climate, including at COP30. I4CE is determined to respond to a new political context offering a long-term perspective and evidencing that an efficient, effective and socially fair climate transition is the only possible pathway ahead. To achieve this, we must operate with persistence and resilience, whilst doubling our efforts to shape new partnerships to increase our reach.
Benoit Leguet, managing director of I4CE
2024, was a roller coaster of change in France. Despite rapid turnovers and shortlived governments, we maintained a constructive dialogue with ministers, cabinets and their administrations on the public policy mix required to meet the objectives of the climate transition and efficient public investments in times of budgetary constraints.
In Europe, we started the year with the launch of our flagship report on the European Climate Investment Deficit. A milestone in our involvement with the EU institutions, it provided a solid contribution as the new political mandate kicked off, with a reinforced focus on investments to both boost competitiveness and decarbonise the economy.
Our international engagement has grown through new strategic par tnerships. We have consolidated our expertise on country financing plans and investment needs assessments, while contributing to reinforcing alignment with the Paris Agreement through facilitation of dialogue between public and private financial institutions.
Internally, we have consolidated our team and structures following a period of growth, ensuring stability and effective work processes going forward. A thriving team is essential to the quality of our work, for our expertise to continue to grow and for our continued engagement with policy makers.
We are proud of the progress achieved in a year full of challenges and change. As the pertinence of our research grows, we see an increased recognition of our expertise and a continued impact on the debates and developments that shape the policies for the climate transition.
In 2025, is not only the 10 years anniversary of the Paris Agreement but also of our Institute, and we are looking forward to celebrating with partners and friends. Although we have challenging times ahead of us, we are confident that we can continue to build our momentum.
Click here to see the annual report 2024 :”The pathway for climate investments in turbulent times”