Key Arguments - The current financial architecture is not designed for a world of constant crisis, reacting instead of anticipating risks [6] - South Africa needs hundreds of trillions of US dollars by mid-century to tackle climate change [7] - The Just Energy Investment Plan estimates a need of $98 billion over the next 5 years to transition to a low-carbon economy [7] - Of the $11.5 billion secured for the Just Energy Transition, only 7% is in the form of grants, while over half are loans [8] Financial Resilience & Investment Strategies - Financial resilience is defined as the ability of markets to adapt to and absorb shocks while maintaining sustainability and growth [6] - Catalytic capital is essential for absorbing risks and unlocking further investment [8] - The Galapagos Islands debt-for-nature swap demonstrates how layered funding models (donor grants, concessional loans, institutional investment) can turn debt into climate action [15][16] - South Africa's Green Outcomes Fund has leveraged 100 million rand in public money to create four times that amount in private sector funding for small green jobs [19] Recommendations for Systemic Change - Build capacity in communities for governance and finance, and in investors for local context [20] - De-risk resilience investments through guarantees, public funding, and concessional loans [21] - Make resilience attractive by lowering interest rates for climate outcomes and rewarding long-term sustainable views through policy and pricing [21] - Governments need to provide clear policy signals, structure catalytic funds, and simplify processes to facilitate the flow of funds to investable projects [23]