Debt-for-adaptation swaps, the international monetary system & climate change

Debt-for-nature swaps are gaining prominence in the current global conjuncture, characterized by financial uncertainty and accelerating impacts of climate change in developing countries. When focusing on adaptation to climate change, debt-for-nature swaps can foster climate and financial resilience. The panel will discuss the potential of such tools, their implementation conditions and best practices. The panel will then discuss whether the Bretton Woods system is fit to climate change. Adopting a pre-emptive approach to the macro-fiscal risks and strengthened financing needs brought about by climate change may require revisiting the global monetary system and financial safety net.

Moderator:

• Hélène LANIER, Managing Director, Sustainable Finance Observatory (formerly 2 Degrees Investing Initiative)

Speakers:

• Jahan CHOWDHURY, Global Lead for Environment and Climate, International Fund for Agricultural Development – United Nations
• Kevin BENDER, Director for Greening Sovereign Debt, The Nature Conservancy
• Riwan DRIOUICH, Senior Economist, Sustainable Finance Observatory (formerly 2 Degrees Investing Initiative), author of a report on debt-for-adaptation swaps (“The Original SinS”)