Public and private financial institutions, such as national development banks and commercial banks, play a fundamental role in channeling finance toward investment in activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The IDB is working with commercial financial institutions (through its planetBanking program) and development banks in the region to reduce their environmental impact and to develop “green” financial products and services.

 The main areas of climate change related technical assistance to financial institutions include:

• Identification and management of climate change risks in the institutions´ operations
• Implementing greenhouse gas accounting and management systems
• Assessment of investment portfolios and identification of potential activities eligible for carbon markets
• Development of innovative financial products and services geared toward climate change mitigation.