As we prepare for the upcoming G20 Rio Leaders’ Summit on November 18-19, we’re excited to share the culmination of all the work done by the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) in 2024. This year has been full of productive meetings, insightful inputs from knowledge partners, and impactful side events—all driving our shared mission of advancing sustainable finance, with a special focus on the Global South.
2024 G20 Sustainable Finance Report Now Available!
We’re thrilled to announce the release of the 2024 G20 Sustainable Finance Report, endorsed by G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors! This year’s report brings together key recommendations across the 2024 priority areas, laying out a clear path for impactful, sustainable finance action.
Read the full 2024 G20 Sustainable Finance Report to explore all recommendations and insights.
What you'll find inside:
Priority 1 | Optimizing the operations of the International Environmental and Climate Funds to deliver sustainable finance
In 2024, the SFWG focused on improving the operations of International Environmental and Climate Funds to ensure finance reaches where it’s needed most—developing nations.
To inform their work, the SFWG established an independent High-Level Expert Group (iHLEG) to review environmental and climate funds’ operations and provide recommendations to improve efficiency, collaboration, and private capital mobilization.
Read the iHLEG Review of the Vertical Climate and Environmental Funds.
Priority 2 | Advancing Credible, Robust and Just Transition Plans
Under the 2024 Brazil Presidency, the SFWG highlighted the importance of credible, robust, and just transition plans that leave no one behind. These plans are vital in decarbonizing economies while empowering communities and workers.
The new Sustainable Finance Report offers recommendations, including the seven high-level principles for financial institutions and other corporates’ transition plans, ensuring that they are equipped to support the climate transition in a socially inclusive way.
For a quick overview of the high-level principles on credible, robust and just transition plans, check out this one-pager.
Priority 3 | Analyzing implementation challenges related to sustainability reporting standards, including for SMEs and EMDEs
SMEs and EMDEs face unique challenges in aligning with global reporting standards, but the report offers practical, phased approaches to bridge these gaps. Clear sustainability metrics can unlock new financing opportunities and drive global transparency.
Informed by input papers from esteemed knowledge partners, the 2024 Report includes key recommendations to make sustainability reporting more accessible and effective.
Priority 4 | Financing Nature-Based Solutions
In the 2024 G20 Sustainable Finance Report, the SFWG calls for increased investments in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), emphasizing their role in climate resilience and sustainable development.
More specifically, the recommendations highlight the importance of creating long-term strategies for financing NbS, lowering financial barriers, building technical capacity, engaging indigenous peoples and local communities, and leveraging financial tools like grants, blended finance, and carbon markets to support sustainable and inclusive NbS projects.
And don’t forget—you can always explore our Document Repository for the latest documents related to the current G20 Presidency, including meeting summaries, input papers and latest deliverables.
Tracking progress on the G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap
This year, our Progress Tracking Dashboard has been a go-to resource for monitoring sustainable finance progress across the G20 jurisdictions. Updated regularly, it highlights our collective efforts on the 19 actions laid out in the G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap, supported by voluntary contributions from G20 members, international organizations, and global networks.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 South African G20 Presidency
As we wrap up 2024, we want to thank everyone—the Brazil G20 Presidency, G20 SFWG Co-Chairs, all jurisdictions, knowledge partners, contributors, and you, the subscribers—for your engagement and commitment to this journey. Your support has been instrumental in driving our progress, and we’re excited to build on this momentum as South Africa takes up the G20 Presidency in December.
Thank you for being part of this year’s achievements, and here’s to another impactful year ahead!