This publication analyses the advantages and disadvantages of carbon credits compared to other financing instruments for protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems. Nine instruments are examined, including emission credits, biodiversity certificates, development cooperation, and blue bonds. Several aspects such as scalability, financial stability, carbon accounting, and project integrity are explored. Findings suggest that carbon credits offer scalability and long-term revenue potential but are hindered by high transaction costs, market volatility, and risks to environmental integrity, particularly when used for emission offsetting. The report targets professionals in climate change, conservation, and sustainable finance.
In Article 2.1 (c) of the Paris Agreement, the international community sets itself the goal of aligning global financial flows with the objectives of the Agreement. But how can we determine whether this goal is being achieved?This paper reviews and evaluates existing assessment frameworks for tracking progress under Article 2.1(c), identifying key trends, gaps, and lessons for the future development of frameworks.
The EU taxonomy and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) are central instruments in the EU Sustainable Finance Framework. Both aim at redirecting financial flows towards sustainable investments while both face critique in terms of coherence and usability.This report presents suggestions to leverage synergies between the SFDR and the Taxonomy by enhancing the usability of the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) criteria in the EU Taxonomy and the Principle Adverse Impact (PAI) indicators under the SFDR. The report analyses the environmental objectives of climate change mitigation and sustainable use and protection of water for the economic sectors energy, manufacturing, construction and real estate, transport, and water supply. The report was completed in March 2025 and does not address current political and regulatory developments regarding the sustainable finance regulation.