Hans Peter Lankes
Hans Peter Lankes has been a Visiting Professor at the Grantham Institute since February 2021. His work focuses mostly on international climate finance and on the interface between climate and development economics. Hans Peter is also a Senior Fellow at the LSE/Oxford State Fragility Initiative and holds roles with development finance institutions and impact funds. Immediately prior to joining Grantham, Hans Peter was the Vice President, Economics and Private Sector Development at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)/World Bank Group. His responsibilities covered IFC’s economics, development impact, blended finance, climate, gender and thought leadership functions.
Background
Hans Peter has more than 30 years of experience in development finance and economics, including senior roles at the IFC, EBRD and IMF, as well as in academia, the private sector and government advisory (in Africa, South-East Asia and Central America). He received his PhD from Harvard University, and degrees from Harvard Kennedy School, University of Freiburg and Université de Grenoble.
Key research interests
- Climate finance
- The intersection of climate and development
- Impact investing and impact measurement
- The role of the private sector in economic development
Research
Research - 2023
There is growing awareness that actions by policymakers and international organizations to reduce poverty, and those to mitigate and adapt... Read more
Policy
Policy - 2023
This briefing outlines the opportunities for the G20 to provide momentum to further the agenda of mobilising private sources for climate action. Read more
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 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 white paper outlines an action agenda focused on a big push in investment, innovation and financing. Multilateralism remains key to unlocking the response for a new financial, societal and economic architecture. Read more
In this policy insight, the authors explain how rising to the climate and poverty challenges in tandem can generate great gains for people and the environment across continents and create new paths for sustainable development and poverty reduction – while delayed action on climate change will entrench poverty around the world. Read more
Policy - 2021
‘Blended finance’ uses development capital as part of the effort to mobilise private capital for climate and nature. The main emphasis in this report is on financing sustainable infrastructure, especially in developing countries, which will require the lion’s share of additional climate and nature-related investments. Read more
This report, produced with the World Economic Forum, outlines a global vision and concrete, practical guidance to grow forward from the COVID-19 crisis towards more resilient economies that serve all parts of society and ensure nature and the environment are preserved for future generations. Read more
This report sets out core elements of an overarching and integrated strategy for recovery from the COVID-10 pandemic and growth, as a contribution to the preparation for the G7 Summit taking place in Carbis Bay, Cornwall (11 to 13 June 2021). Read more
News
News - 2024
Hans Peter Lankes, Rob Macquarie, Eleonore Soubeyran and Nicholas Stern consider the role that policy design can play in simultaneously tackling climate change and reducing poverty. Read more
News - 2023
G20 leaders recognise the pivotal role the multilateral development banks play in tackling global challenges and supporting sustainable development; now they must more clearly define and carry forward the agenda with urgency and at scale, this commentary argues. Read more
News - 2022
Multilateral development banks are increasingly central to global efforts to reduce poverty, improve opportunity and address climate change. This commentary examines the recent G20 panel proposal on ‘callable capital’ as part of the multilateral development bank reform agenda. Read more
Investments, innovation, policy and finance all play a central role in defining the economic growth model of the 21st century. This commentary argues that better collaboration on these four major issues is vital if we want to create a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for all. Read more
News - 2021
To ‘build back better’ from COVID-19 we need a broad-based recovery that leaves no one behind; we need to build a more resilient, inclusive society; and we need to make our economy grow quickly and sustainably, argue Hans-Peter Lankes and Roberta Piefederici, as they set out the key elements of a programme for action. Read more