Towards net zero export credit: Current Approaches and next steps

Thomas Hale, Andreas Klasen, Norman Ebner, Bianca Krämer, and Anastasia Kantzelis

Summary

As the world economy rapidly decarbonizes to meet global climate goals, the export credit sector must keep pace. Countries representing over two-thirds of global GDP have now set net zero targets, as have hundreds of private financial institutions. Public and private initiatives are now working to develop new standards and methodologies for shifting investment portfolios to decarbonization pathways based on science. However, export credit agencies (ECAs) are only at the beginning stages of this seismic transformation. On the one hand, the net zero transition creates risks to existing business models and clients for the many ECAs, while on the other, it creates a significant opportunity for ECAs to refocus their support to help countries and trade partners their climate targets. ECAs can best take advantage of this transition, and minimize its meet risks, by setting net zero targets and adopting credible plans to decarbonize their portfolios. Collaboration across the sector can be a powerful tool for advancing this goal.