Brendan Curran

Brendan is a senior policy fellow working on sustainable finance policy with a particular focus on just transition and place-based climate investment.
Background
Prior to joining the Grantham Institute, Brendan spent several years working on sustainable finance policy within the UK Government. Firstly, as a policy adviser on social investment within the Government Inclusive Economy Unit and more recently working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on green finance policy and the publication of the Net Zero Strategy. During this time, he also had a secondment at the Green Finance Institute. Prior to working in policy, Brendan spent 5 years working for Lloyds Bank across several roles. He has a BSc in economics and politics from the University of Bristol and an MSc in economics from the University of Amsterdam.
Research interests
- Harnessing private finance to deliver a just transition
- Public finance institutions and interventions to deliver net zero and a just transition
- Financial regulation aimed at a sustainable financial system
- Place-based climate investment
- Policy frameworks to deliver a just transition
Policy
Policy - 2023
The consultation response urges the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) to make an explicit acknowledgement of the importance of supporting the just transition to net zero and provide guidance for those preparing Transition Plans. Read more

This report contains results of the second phase of the India Just Transition Finance Roadmap project. Read more

Policy - 2022
This tool describes the concept of a Just Transition and makes the business case for financial institutions to partner with stakeholders and peers to support a just climate transition. Read more

Response to the call for evidence made as part of the Independent Review of Net Zero commissioned by the UK's Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Read more

This report provides guidance to financial Institutions on how they can incorporate the social dimension of climate action – the just transition – into their net zero transition plans. Read more

This paper highlights how an innovative public-private programme that focuses on Northern Ireland's housing stock can help to fund an equitable low-carbon economy, through the use of a 'Just Transition Bond'. Read more

This report examines how-well placed the UK is to make the required investments for a successful net-zero transition, and the wider economic impact those investments might have. Read more

A submission to the UK Treasury's consultation on the 'Proposals for Reform' under its Financial Regulation Framework Review. Read more

News
News - 2023
Article covers trade unions support of Extinction Rebellion’s multi-day climate protest, known as the “Big One. Brendan Curran and Nick... Read more

In this commentary article for ESG Investor Brendan Curran discusses the UK’s Transition Plan Taskforce. ESG Investor, 24 March 2023 Read more

Brendan Curran argues that public investment in the UK steel sector would be a step in the right direction for green jobs, but greater ambition is needed to meet the challenges ahead and to achieve a just transition. Read more

The article in the FT focuses on how Nest and Cushon are looking to put funds into trees as a... Read more

News - 2022
This article considers what progress was made on a range of issues at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. The article includes comments by Brendan Currnan in relation to the issue of blended finance. Read more

This article reports on a new study by the Resolution Foundation and the London School of Economics (LSE) which considers the potential for green investment in the UK. Read more

What role can and should financial regulation play in tackling climate change? The answer should guide the remoulding of regulatory... Read more
