Danae Kyriakopoulou
Danae Kyriakopoulou was a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. She led the Institute’s policy work on the intersections of climate change, international finance and economic development.
This has included work for the G7 Presidency on the proposed establishment of a Climate Club, and for the G20 Presidency on the role of the multilateral development bank system and the mobilisation of private sector capital for sustainable development through the High-Level Advisory Group (HLAG) on Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery and Growth in partnership with the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund and the Brookings Institution. She further contributes to GRI’s work for the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action on the role of financial policy-makers in the climate agenda.
She has been honoured by the World Economic forum as a Young Global Leader and holds roles in various sustainability industry initiatives as an advisory board member including the London Stock Exchange Group’s Future of Sustainable Data Alliance (FoSDA) and the European Mortgage Federation’s Energy Efficiency Mortgages Initiative (EEMI).
Background
From 2016 to 2021, Danae was the Chief Economist and Director of Research of the Official Monetary and Financial Institution Forum (OMFIF). As part of this, she set up the Sustainable Policy Institute and served as its Managing Director and Chair of its Advisory Council, of which she is now a member.
Previously, she was Managing Economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research. She has also served as Senior Economic Adviser for Africa and Greater China for the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and as an Economist at the Bank of Greece.
She holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and an MSc in Economics for Development from the University of Oxford. She is fluent in German, Greek and Spanish.
Research interests
- Sustainable and inclusive economic development
- Greening the financial system
- The role of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks
Research
Research - 2023
The authors of this paper examine the increasingly crucial role that China is playing in global climate action. Read more
Policy
Policy - 2023
This report presents recommendations of the High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery and Growth, making the case and proposing actions for a big investment push for sustainable recovery and development in emerging markets and developing economies. Read more
This joint report from the Grantham Research Institute and Systemiq contends that the world has in its hands a new growth and development story driven by investment and innovation in green technology, boosted by artificial intelligence (AI) – and this is a much more attractive and inclusive story than the dirty and destructive paths followed in the past. Read more
Policy - 2022
This report of the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance provides a framework for delivering finance for climate action, following the comprehensive approach embodied in the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC. Read more
This independent report sets out a rationale and possible design of a Climate Club, taking its point of departure from the June 2022 G7 Leaders’ Statement on Climate Club. Read more
This contribution to the European Mortgage Foundation’s report HYPOSTAT 2022: A Review of Europe’s Mortgage and Housing Markets presents data and evidence on the need for steadfast policy action to foster the transition to a low-carbon economy to meet agreed climate change targets within relevant timeframes. Read more
This paper presents an overview of current practices on sustainable and responsible management of central bank portfolios and provides recommendations for central banks on how to introduce sustainable, responsible or ESG (environmental, social and governance) aspects to those portfolios. Read more
This paper reviews the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and their application by central banks to date. It also considers potential enhancements for central banks’ climate disclosures and their possible implications for the wider financial system. Read more
This paper examines China’s domestic and foreign policymaking for the energy transition, and its role in promoting multilateralism and international collaboration on building a sustainable world, making recommendations in the areas of renewable energy, finance and research, development and innovation. Read more
Events
Events - 2022
Climate Change Policy for Developing Countries, in conversation with Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia – video
Event Type: Public LecturesDigital and Green Recovery in all regions? Opportunities and challenges for economic and territorial cohesion
Event Type: Policy SeminarsNews
News - 2023
This article considers whether the global drive for green growth and clean technologies is leading to greater protectionism. The article... Read more
Meeting the call to 'Invest in Our Planet' requires rethinking how we manage economic development and recalibrating how we direct flows in the financial system, writes Danae Kyriakopoulou. Read more
News - 2022
In this article for the Green European Journal Danae Kyriakopoulou argues that, as central banks start to change tack after years of loose monetary policy, using the levers of the financial system to fight inflation risks cutting climate investment just as we need it most. Read more
Danae Kyriakopoulou is one of the speakers at this event which focused on resilience, green and digital transformation in Europe. Read more
In this commentary piece for Raisina Dialogue the authors highlight the need to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels and the critical role climate finance can play in facilitating the transition to net-zero. Read more
Danae Kyriakopoulou, a Senior Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute, has been selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s... Read more
In this article for China Daily Danae Kyriakopoulou considers the role China can play in promoting climate objectives internationally particularly in relation to investments in infrastructure projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Read more
This article for China Daily considers the findings of a new report by the Grantham Research Institute on the key... Read more
China faces a golden opportunity to strengthen its climate leadership internationally in the areas of renewable energy, sustainable finance and innovation. Having already made important steps towards its climate goals domestically, the time is right for China to look globally, argues a new paper by leading policy advisors. Read more
In this blog post for the Central Bank of Hungary Danae Kyriakopoulou discusses environmental sustainability in relation to central banks and financial supervisors. Read more
Building on the outcomes of COP26 will be critical to achieving a sustainable financial system, say Nick Robins and Danae Kyriakopoulou, as they highlight 10 areas of opportunity to be seized this year. Read more
News - 2021
This article for UAE's The National discusses key priorities for climate action in 2022. The article includes quotes from Danae Kyriakopoulou in relation to support for developing countries and stopping carbon subsidies. Read more
In this interview for a Greek national TV evening news programme, Danae Kyriakopoulou discusses the energy transition in Europe, carbon pricing, and the distribution. Read more
In this podcast discussion for Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini, Danae Kyriakopoulou discusses the outcomes of the COP26 summit and the energy transition in Europe. Read more
The world’s biggest investment banks, asset owners and managers, and players from the wider financial ecosystem gathered in Glasgow last week for COP26. Here, Danae Kyriakopoulou reflects on the finance positives and negatives from the summit. Read more
In this news article climate scientists, negotiators and economists are asked what they would like to see agreed at the... Read more
The quest for ever-more data must not delay action to address climate risks, says economist Danae Kyriakopoulou, because the risk... Read more
The race is on to ‘consign coal power to history’. The end of coal power generation is a climate – and economic – imperative. There can be no healthy economy without a healthy planet, says Danae Kyriakopoulou. Read more
Government spending must find a better balance between measures to slow carbon emissions and those aimed at adapting to climate change says Danae Kyriakopoulou. Read more
In this news feature Danae Kyriakopoulou outlines key policies & financial measures the world can use to support the phase... Read more
The specifics of reaching net-zero will vary across places, sectors and economic actors but need to derive from the common motivation that the transition must be a just one, says Danae Kyriakopoulou. Read more
In this commentary article, written ahead of COP26 Danae Kyriakopoulou makes the case for a just transition that is beneficial to both people and the planet. Read more
Danae Kyriakopoulou looks at the significance of the recent issuance by the UK and Colombia of their first sovereign green bonds. Read more
In this commentary article Danae Kyriakopoulou considers the implications of the recent issuance by the UK and Colombia of their first sovereign green bonds. Read more