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Panel Discussion: “The Green Climate Fund: Financing for Green Growth” on the occasion of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) on 19 June from 3.15 pm until 4.45 pm at the German Pavilion (Parque dos Atletas), Rio de Janeiro.

Transforming economies towards a low carbon development is a centre piece of inclusive green growth. It requires capabilities, institutional and regulatory environments and huge investments. In order to finance necessary mitigation and adaptation measures in developing countries which lead to low emission and climate resilient development innovative approaches are crucial. While public climate finance will continue to play an important and catalytic role the private sector is expected to finance a major share of the investments needed in the future. A key question therefore is how the international climate finance architecture can mobilize private finance at scale.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF), as a new institution of the international climate financing architecture, will contribute to the efforts of developing countries in designing and implementing low-emission economic, social development policies and managing adaptation to climate change. It is supposed to channel a significant amount of the 100 billion US-$ from public and private sources to be mobilised by 2020. The Fund should help to realise a paradigm shift towards low carbon and climate resilience development in developing countries. By applying to host the Green Climate Fund, Germany aims to ensure that the work of the Fund lives up to the great expectations associated with its foundation.

.What differentiates the Green Climate Fund from other climate finance instruments?

.How could it be effective in stimulating private sector investments in low income and least developed countries?

.How should private sector participation and support to public investments complement each other?

These are some of the key questions being discussed, between climate and financing experts from different countries. Among the speakers are: Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety|.Dr Carlos Augusto Klink, State Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Brazil .Prof. Dr h.c. mult. Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Germany |.Dr Albert Butare, CEO of Africa Energy Services Group, CEO of Fatracs Co Ltd and former Minister of Energy and Water of the Republic of Rwanda |.Prof. Dr Thomas Heller, Executive Director, Climate Policy Initiative, USA |.Karin Ireton, Director Group Sustainability Management Standard Bank, South Africa

.[Access to the event: The Athletes Park (Parque dos Atletas) is located across the street from RioCentro. Access to the Park will be granted to the media and public in general (except on June 20-22). Shuttle buses among RioCentro and Athletes’ Park will be available].