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

Why Belém Matters

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.org