Can Development Banks Step Up to the Challenge of Sustainable Development?

Abstract

Public development banks (PDBs) — at sub-national, national, regional or international level — can cooperate and become central in the implementation of sustainable economic models. PDBs are over 500 globally. They are both providers of public funding and enablers to leverage private finance. PDBs need to acquire ‘sustainable development analytical tools’ to select operations on the basis of criteria other than purely financial ones. This paper explores why development banks can play a leading role. It proposes five recommendations for decision-makers: (1) Streamline into financing decisions the need to transition towards low-carbon and equitable economies. (2) Mobilise and encourage the private sector such that all stakeholders reach convergence on sustainable development. (3) Use development banks to channel funds for transition purposes into concrete projects, programmes consistent with international agreements signed by their governments. (4) Support emergence of a responsible demand, given that PDBs themselves are not originators of projects. (5) Build a global coalition of PDBs, to tackling global problems.