Power and Planet

Why Belém Matters

In this episode, Avinash Persaud explores how multilateral development banks and global partners are reshaping climate finance — not from scratch, but by building on proven action. From resilient infrastructure to renewable energy, developing countries are already investing billions, despite limited fiscal space and mounting climate challenges. At the heart of the conversation is Belém — a turning point for climate and nature alignment, where innovation meets urgency. Discover how initiatives like ReInvest+ and debt-for-resilience swaps are unlocking trillions in private and public capital, and why Belém is more than a summit — it’s a launchpad for scalable solutions, sustainable finance, and real-world impact. #IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+ At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.org [http://www.iadb.org]

The Currency Trap: Why the Renewable Energy Revolution Stalls at the Border

In episode five of Power and Planet, economist Avinash Persaud dives deep into the hidden forces shaping our climate future—not technology, but finance. The Currency Trap unpacks how the cost of capital, driven by foreign exchange risk and systemic financial structures, determines who gets to build a sustainable future and who gets left behind. From collapsing solar prices to soaring borrowing costs in developing countries, this episode reveals why some countries are thriving in promoting a sustainable transition while others are struggling—and introduces a bold new solution from the Inter-American Development Bank that could change everything. #IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+ At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.org

The Mirage and the Magic of Debt Swaps

In Episode 4 of Power and Planet, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, dives deep into the captivating world of debt swaps—often hailed as poetic solutions to complex global challenges. From the alluring promise of debt-for-nature deals to the hard truths of market realities, this episode unpacks the myths, mechanics, and potential of debt swaps in climate and development finance. Persaud explores why the grand bargain remains elusive, and how modern, market-based swaps—backed by AAA-rated guarantors—can redirect debt savings into resilience investments like reef protection and electric buses. With a bold vision for a multi-guarantor facility to scale impact, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about innovative climate finance. #IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+ At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.org

Why You Can’t Insure Yourself Against Climate Change

While disasters have traditionally been managed through insurance, climate shocks are now too frequent, too costly, and too unpredictable to insure effectively. From the staggering $30 billion flood losses in Brazil to the global funding gap for climate-vulnerable countries, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change for the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, explores in this episode why resilience—not insurance—is the smarter investment. Tune in to learn why a dollar spent on resilient infrastructure can save ten in future losses, and how innovative financial tools like debt-for-resilience swaps and pause clauses could offer lifelines to countries already drowning in debt. #IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+ At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.org [http://www.iadb.org]

The Road to $1.3 Trillion

http://www.iadb.orgIn this episode, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, unpacks the urgent and ambitious journey toward mobilizing $1.3 trillion in climate finance for developing countries. From the origins of the roadmap at COP29 in Baku to the innovative "Reinvest+" initiative, Persaud challenges conventional thinking around private sector mobilization and offers a scalable solution to bridge the climate finance gap. Discover how existing performing loans in developing countries can be transformed into investment-grade securities that attract global institutional investors—creating a virtuous cycle of reinvestment, trust, and climate-aligned development. #IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+ At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.org [http://www.iadb.org]