Focus Area: Finance

RethinkAction Platform: LAMS Catalogue

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The RethinkAction Platform supports local and regional stakeholders in addressing climate change through land-use-based Adaptation and Mitigation Solutions (LAMS). It enables users to assess climate risks, explore science-based climate strategies, and simulate future scenarios at local, European, and global scales. The platform offers different tools categorised under 3 main analysis paths: 1) LAMS Catalogue, 2) Local Analysis Tool, 3) EU/Global Analysis Tool.

Capacity Building for the Development of Bankable Renewable Energy Projects

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Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses (GHG) emitted by cities is critical to tackle the current climate crisis. At the local level, cities might plan and execute policies related to renewable energy (RE), but they often face the challenge of obtaining funding for implementing RE projects, as the access to financial resources is usually locked behind the formulation of bankable projects. Unfortunately, local governments may not always have the technical capacity to create sound and structured RE projects, as expected by financial institutions.

Crowdfunding community-scale renewable energy projects

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Crowdfunding is where several individuals contribute small sums of money in order to fund a project. Given the low risk that each person takes on, crowdfunding can be an innovative financing tool, including for local renewable energy (RE) projects [1]. They can also help involve the local community in various ways, increasing buy-in and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project [2]. This solution addresses the use of crowdfunding for the local energy transition, and how local and regional governments (LRGs) can take advantage of it while protecting the best interests of their communities.

Bridging Equity and Sustainability in Just Transition Finance

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Just transition finance offers a transformative opportunity to drive equitable economic growth while addressing the multifaceted challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon future (ILO, 2024). By strategically directing financial resources, it not only fosters job creation in green industries but also supports skill development for displaced workers and encourages the establishment and expansion of sustainable enterprises. These targeted investments empower marginalized communities, particularly those in sectors most vulnerable to climate transitions, by creating pathways to new employment opportunities, opportunities, entrepreneurship, and local economic resilience (European Trading Foundation, 2023).