About us
Established in 2019, the Green Finance Institute (GFI) is at the forefront of shaping how finance can be used to facilitate a real economy transition. As an independent organisation working with governments internationally, and partnering with financial institutions, corporates, NGOs, policymakers, academics and civil society experts, the GFI creates and scales innovative solutions that deliver practical outcomes for communities and economies.
We focus relentlessly on execution – testing ideas, breaking down barriers, and co-designing the solutions that enable capital to flow where it can deliver the greatest impact to accelerate the transition to a clean, resilient future. Our credibility, capability and cross-sector engagement enable us to respond to market barriers and develop solutions where others can’t.
We are a team of financial experts committed to driving the action needed at the pace and scale that science demands. Our approach to channelling capital to facilitate real economy change has shaped the debate around green finance and our products and solutions have supported mobilising £77 billion to date.
Transactions to Transitions: A Global Investment Greenprint
Establish a national goal
Set a clear national goal. This gives investors and developers the certainty they need to commit resources. Goals must reflect fiscal realities and consumer capacity, so funding and financing remain sustainable. Broad support reduces the risk of sudden policy shifts. Sector goals should complement wider national objectives — for example, an energy grid plan in energy markets or a restoration framework in nature markets.
Policy and regulation
Strong legal frameworks and support for private ownership reduce risk as does the embedding of decarbonisation goals in legislation. Predictable taxes, capital movement, and macroeconomic stability give confidence, especially to foreign investors. Clear planning and land-use rules help developers secure land and start projects quickly. These conditions lower risk and unlock private capital.
Incentives to create demand + supply
Investors need confidence that demand exists, and revenues are secure. Utility-scale projects rely on contracts like Power Purchase Agreements, while household-level demand may need pricing support. Too much supply before demand matures risks stalled pipelines and government intervention. In newer sectors, such as green hydrogen, subsidies and off-taker agreements are essential to create demand and close the cost gap with conventional products.
Sector and market infrastructure
Predictable, timely procurement keeps bids realistic and projects on track. Delays push developers and investment teams to other markets. Repeatable processes encourage investment in supply chains, manufacturing, and jobs. Standard contracts, such as Power Purchase Agreements, reduce negotiation time. Consistency also builds an ecosystem of advisers, financiers, and legal experts, as repeat business justifies ongoing commitment of resources.
Building institutions
Build capacity within key institutions. Strong institutions are essential where enabling environments are less mature. Bringing public and private sectors together can help identify and remove barriers to project delivery. In some cases, the priority may be creating an independent procurement agency to run repeat auctions. This shift can move a market from isolated projects to a sustainable, long-term programme.
Project pipeline
Develop the project pipeline. With national goals, stable policies, and reliable procurement, private developers and investors will engage. As confidence builds through repeat bidding and delivery, projects can scale into full programmes. In early-stage markets, grants and development finance can play a key role by funding feasibility studies and due diligence. Referencing national plans helps reassure investors that opportunities are real and worth pursuing.
Product innovation
Develop new products, funds and market interventions that directly address de-risking requirements, allow for risk-sharing, credit-enhancement, demand-side certainty and capital protection. These products can be designed with providers of public, development or private capital depending on sector specific requirements and geographic nuance.
Public capital / FOAK Pilots
Deliver financial products with public or first-of-a-kind (FOAK) capital. In markets with limited lending capacity, DFI support can unlock early projects and stimulate local finance. Currency risk may also need coverage until markets mature. Programmatic risk-mitigation facilities can speed projects to financial close. For example, South Africa’s Green Finance Facility uses limited public capital to guarantee deals, making municipal renewable energy and infrastructure projects bankable for private investors.
Blended Finance
Introduce private capital into capital stack. As project pipelines expand and payment and regulatory histories become clearer, private investors gain confidence in assessing risk. Reliance on concessional finance can be reduced or removed. Greater familiarity and trust in the market allows private capital to flow faster and at larger scale, accelerating overall investment and programme growth.
Scale products into asset classes
Scale financial products into local markets. As programmes grow, new financial products develop. In countries with stronger financial systems, local pension funds and other investors can become long-term owners of operating projects. Building these domestic investment channels makes financing more sustainable and helps projects grow faster.
Turn domestic into global asset classes
Scale domestic asset classes into global markets. As markets mature, projects and companies can attract international investors alongside local capital. Strong track records and larger portfolios make it easier for investors to access the asset class. This also allows greater diversification across locations, project types, and jurisdictions, increasing confidence and supporting further investment growth.
- Policy
- Market infrastructure
- Product development
- Replicate and scale
GFI products and services
Climate Strategy
Analysis on priority sectors and associated finance roadmaps to move towards the creation of investable NDCs
Policy Frameworks
Advice on creating mandates and incentives, including revenue certainty mechanisms, carbon pricing and public capital strategies
Institutional Design
Designing effective institutional approaches to aligning policy and regulation with the needs of private capital
Product Design
Working directly with development finance and private capital to design new product innovations to support capital flow
Innovation Pilots
Go-to-market strategies for new products to test regulatory treatment, policy incentives and investor appetite
FOAK investment readiness
We provide expert support to help First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects become investment-ready, including strategic advice on preparing projects for funding
Advisory & consulting services
We offer strategic guidance to corporates and financial institutions on strategies to deploy capital into net-zero and nature positive projects, improving supply chain resilience and unlocking competitive advantages, alongside product development and validation services
Training
We deliver tailored training programmes for corporates, financial institutions, philanthropic organisations, and the public sector, focused on investing in sectoral transitions
Featured programmes
Contact us
The GFI team has a wealth of experience from across financial services, policy and academia. Led by mission-driven finance experts, we are committed to driving the action we need at the pace and scale that the science demands.
