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© 2022—2026 The Sunrise Project Incorporated

Managing climate-related financial risk is a responsibility for governments and financial institutions. Yet, the rules that govern finance still enable high-risk coal and gas investments – costs that economies and communities ultimately bear. Meanwhile, renewable energy projects, especially in emerging economies, struggle to access affordable funding despite offering better long-term returns.

Redirecting capital at scale requires banks, insurers, and asset managers to reform how they assess climate risk and what they’re willing to fund. When finance reflects the real climate risk associated with fossil fuels, capital shifts – away from stranded assets, toward clean energy that creates long-term value.

We work to support these systemic shifts across regions, convening stakeholders, contributing analysis, and building capacity where it can unlock broader change.

Goal

Shift global finance to accelerate a fast, fair energy transition by scaling clean energy finance, phasing out fossil finance, and transforming financial rules to embed climate risk as a core fiduciary duty.

The Opportunity

Unlocking capital for emerging economies

Clean energy investment remains concentrated in advanced economies; expanding access to affordable finance in emerging regions can accelerate the global transition and share its benefits more widely.

Embedding climate risk in financial governance

Recognition of climate as a material economic risk is growing; stronger disclosure, supervision, and fiduciary standards can align finance with long-term stability and the much-needed transition.

Aligning fiscal and financial policy

Reforms to fiscal rules, public finance tools, and development finance mandates can scale public investment and draw in private capital for clean energy.

Momentum in global financial governance

Changes in mandates, guidance, and oversight at cross-border financial institutions can ripple through markets, affecting how and where capital is allocated.

How we pursue this goal

01

Scaling clean energy finance

Supporting mechanisms and conditions that increase capital flow to renewable energy deployment, particularly in regions facing the largest financing gaps.

02

Phasing out fossil fuel finance

Contributing to shifts in financial flows away from high-risk, high-pollution coal, oil, and gas infrastructure through evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, and support for evolving institutional practices.

03

Transforming the energy finance system

Supporting the evolution of risk management and mitigation through stronger public policy, regulations, and fiduciary standards that embed responsible investment practices into financial decision-making.

04

Building collective capacity

Coordinating diverse networks to create the conditions needed for systems transformation.

Where we work

We focus on regions and institutions where shifts in practice can catalyse broader transformation of the financial system.

Asia

Home to more than half the world’s population and the majority of projected new energy demand through 2030, the region also holds most of the world’s coal infrastructure and faces decisions that will determine whether growth locks in more coal and gas or accelerates a rapid transition to clean energy. Financial shifts here can have global climate impact.

Europe

The once-vanguard of climate regulation and sustainable finance frameworks. European policy and regulations influence global standards and practices and their integrity must be maintained and expanded.

United States

State governments control significant levers over financial regulation, pension fund governance, and insurance markets. State-level action creates momentum for national and international transformation.

Transnationally

Insurers, banks, and investors operate across borders. Their decisions shape capital flows and finance sector norms worldwide. Focusing work on these transnational actors complements and reinforces regional efforts.