Cover of Power and Planet

Power and Planet

Power and Planet

By: El BID - The IDB
Listen for free

Season's Savings | 0.99 €/month for 3 months

5.99 €/month thereafter - terms apply. Cancel monthly.
Summary
 Over the past decade, the conversation around climate vulnerability has evolved—from focusing primarily on scientific understanding to addressing the practicalities of funding and implementation. As the topic gained prominence, it also became more complex and multifaceted. In this series, Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor on Climate Change for the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, demystifies climate finance, lays bare the issues, and contextualises financial instruments within international political economy, development economics, finance, and climate and nature.

While financial discussions can often feel abstract or theoretical, the Inter-American Development Bank comes face-to-face with some of the most vulnerable communities in the world—from indigenous peoples in the Amazon to those living in favelas. The Bank also works closely with governments as they tackle pragmatically the multifaceted challenges of poverty, climate vulnerability, development, job creation, and sustainable growth. Drawing on the Bank’s extensive experience, research, knowledge, insights, and stories of the lived experience of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean, he explains why we are here, where we are, and what we need to do to move to a better place.

#IDB #Improvinglives #IDBImpact+

At the Inter-American Development Bank we work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.iadb.orgCopyright El BID - The IDB Economics Management Management & Leadership Science
Episodes
  • Why Belém Matters

    Why Belém Matters
    6 Nov 2025
    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
    Show more Show less
    14 min
  • The Currency Trap: Why the Renewable Energy Revolution Stalls at the Border

    The Currency Trap: Why the Renewable Energy Revolution Stalls at the Border
    20 Oct 2025
    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
    Show more Show less
    12 min
  • The Mirage and the Magic of Debt Swaps

    The Mirage and the Magic of Debt Swaps
    10 Oct 2025
    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
    Show more Show less
    13 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet