National development banks (NDBs) are well placed to turn climate commitments into investment, but are governments using them?

Reviewing 222 NDBs across 103 emerging and developing economies, this working paper finds that only 18 countries name an NDB in their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) or National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Yet most NDBs see themselves as climate actors, and 71% of those publishing annual reports reference climate.

Integration seems driven by relationships between banks and ministries, and by adaptation planning, rather than by an NDB's size or climate focus. It also appears linked to access to concessional finance, which NDBs cite as their biggest barrier to climate action.

The paper sets out recommendations for NDB leaders and policy-makers on bringing NDBs into the design, not just the delivery, of climate policy.

Paper by the Overseas Development Institute