林伯强：区块链可以赋能中国绿色金融发展︱能源思考

Core Insights - The application of blockchain technology in the green finance sector is gaining attention due to the increasing demand for diversified financing channels for green projects and the rapid advancement of low-carbon industrial transformation [1][3] - Despite the growth potential, China's green finance development faces challenges such as an inadequate credit mechanism, lack of standards, limited coverage, insufficient product innovation, and weak risk regulation capabilities [1][3] - The Chinese government has initiated policies to promote the application of blockchain in finance, including the establishment of a blockchain standard system to enhance governance and system development [1][2] Current Application of Blockchain in Green Finance - Since the introduction of green finance policies in China in 2016, blockchain technology has been gradually integrated into green finance operations, with 73.17% of financial institutions utilizing technology in their green finance activities by 2022 [2] - The establishment of blockchain-based platforms for green finance, such as those by banks and tech companies, has led to significant cost reductions in issuing green bonds, with costs dropping from approximately $6.45 million to $690,000 [2] - The current application of blockchain in green finance is still in the pilot stage, with issues such as low participation, an incomplete regulatory framework, and immature models being prominent [3] Local Government Initiatives - Local governments have successfully implemented blockchain technology in green finance, focusing on four main areas: financing and regulation of green projects, carbon trading and account management, innovation of green financial products, and the establishment of a green credit system [4][5] - Examples include the "Qurongtong" and "Green Loan Pass" platforms, which facilitate effective fund allocation and supervision of green projects [4] - The use of blockchain in carbon trading markets enhances transparency and reduces fraud, thereby improving market credibility and efficiency [4] Corporate Contributions - Tech companies are actively promoting the integration of blockchain with green finance, developing decentralized data-sharing platforms and innovative green financial products [6] - Blockchain technology aids in managing carbon assets and optimizing carbon reduction goals, as seen in projects by companies like Ant Group and China Huadian [6] - The establishment of green credit evaluation systems using blockchain helps financial institutions assess the green credit status of enterprises more accurately [6] Advantages of Blockchain in Green Finance - Blockchain enhances internal data processing capabilities for companies, allowing for better management of carbon assets and more innovative financial products [7] - It addresses the "greenwashing" issue in the green finance market by providing transparent and standardized transaction processes [8] - The technology supports the efficient implementation of national green finance strategies and encourages local governments to foster green industries [9] Challenges in Blockchain Application - Blockchain technology faces performance issues, including low transaction speeds and storage capacity limitations, which could hinder the efficiency of green finance transactions [10][11] - The lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework poses risks to data privacy and compliance for enterprises utilizing blockchain in green finance [12] - High energy consumption associated with blockchain operations necessitates further technological advancements to achieve low-energy operations [13] Recommendations for Development - Selecting appropriate consensus mechanisms and optimizing algorithms for blockchain networks can enhance performance while ensuring data privacy and security [14] - Legislative measures should be established to provide a legal framework for blockchain applications in green finance, addressing various regulatory needs [15] - Financial incentives, such as subsidies and tax benefits, should be offered to encourage financial institutions to adopt low-energy consensus mechanisms in green finance projects [16][17]