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I4CE launches its publication series on Mainstreaming Low-Carbon Climate-Resilient growth pathways into Development Finance Institutions’ activities

9 October 2015 - Foreword of the week

Development finance institutions (DFIs) are in a position to be key actors in aligning development and the 2° challenge. One of the principal challenges today is to scale-up the financial flows to the trillions of dollars per year necessary to achieve the 2°C long-term objectives. Achieving this transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient (LCCR) economic model requires the integration or ‘mainstreaming’ of climate issues as a prism through which all investment decisions should be made.

To understand how DFIs are currently addressing this challenge, I4CE is conducting a long-term research project with financial support for the first phase from Caisse des Dépots and Agence Française de Développement. The integration or ‘mainstreaming’ of climate change into development finance decisions poses a broad number of operational challenges. Drawing from the current practice of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), this project looks at the approaches, tools and metrics used by DFIs to integrate both mitigation and adaptation objectives into investment decision making.

Through targeted in depth case studies and an extensive review of public reports, the project aims to facilitate learning between DFIs through profiles of current practice. Second, the project identifies in practice the paradigm shift needed to integrate climate and development objectives to establish a ‘LCCR development model’ able to simultaneously tackling development priorities and needs for resilient, low-carbon growth. This will necessitate a move from focusing on a ‘siloed’ vision of climate finance to a means of aligning activities across the economy with the LCCR objectives to ensure that the majority of investments are coherent with this long-term transition

Working with individual institutions, the project will identify opportunities for DFIs to further develop qualitative and quantitative assessments of the contribution of their interventions to the ‘low-carbon transformation’ of a given country’s economy.

Publications in this series include:

To learn more
  • 02/19/2026 Blog post
    Food sovereignty relies on ecological planning

    The upcoming food sovereignty conferences are likely to shape debates on the future of French agriculture in 2026. The main responses provided over the past two years can be summarised as follows: remove production constraints to produce more of everything (both animal and plant products), to recover market shares in France and abroad. Seeking to produce more of everything without considering adaptation or transition is a form of denial, at a time when climate change is hitting farmers hard and regularly, and when our dependence on imported fertilisers and oilseed meals undermines our sovereignty. The conferences must take these considerations into account — otherwise, they will serve only to perpetuate the notion of an illusory sovereignty. 

  • 02/19/2026
    Which production assets for more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food sectors? Which investment needs? Which stranded assets?

    Les choix d’investissements des secteurs agricoles et alimentaires des années à venir sont déterminants. Pour pérenniser leurs productions et faire face aux crises, les secteurs agricoles et alimentaires français doivent évoluer vers des systèmes plus résilients et durables. L’enjeu est d’autant plus crucial que différentes vagues d’investissements sont en cours ou à venir dans ces secteurs. Dans cette étude, I4CE a estimé qu’environ 100 milliards d’euros d’outils de production agricoles et alimentaires sont affectés par la transition. Une coordination et une planification des investissements semblent incontournables, notamment pour en limiter les coûts.

  • 01/23/2026 Foreword of the week
    Financing carbon farming practices: lessons learnt in France can reinforce the EU level initiatives

    In a challenging economic and political context, especially for the agriculture sector, some incentive schemes can still help bring stakeholders together in climate transition and resilience initiatives. This is the case with carbon certification schemes, which both ensure the credibility of the climate impact of the actions implemented and provide remuneration for farmers and foresters for changes in practices. Some of these measures, such as replacing mineral fertilisers (mostly imported) with organic fertilisers, also help to meet the sector’s needs for resilience and strategic independence, which are crucial in the current context.

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Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
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