Countries have pledged to transition their economies and industrial capacities to a net-zero framework within the next decade. Yet political objections to assertive climate action have been growing, especially in the Global North. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US may have ushered a new era of protectionism in the emerging green race. Questions of justice have been mainstreamed in the climate transition, but are they being misused to focus subsidies on geographies historically responsible for emissions? As economic security becomes a major focus for policymakers, will such considerations help scale up climate finance or further impede its flow? How can the private sector be made a partner in the decarbonisation effort? What would an energy transition that respects the Global South’s needs look like?

To what degree are protectionist measures unavoidable for countries? What do such steps mean for borders, trade, environment, and labour? How can the environmental impact of international finance be aligned with sustainability, ethical investments, and responsible financial practices?