In December 2015, the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Paris, France, adopted the Paris Agreement. The signatory countries reaffirmed that the global average temperature increase should be limited to no higher than 2°C above the pre-industrial level, and to aim for a limit of 1.5°C. In order to achieve this goal, the existing industrial system must be transformed into a green, low-carbon and circular development. To complete the transformation requires huge financial support, however, the green industry faces many financing barriers. Therefore, some countries and local governments have promoted the development of green industries by establishing new public financial institutions and leveraging public capital to leverage social investment.

Due to the different challenges faced by developed countries and developing countries, the focus of green investment institutions to support industries is also different. Developed countries emphasize addressing climate change and promoting the development of a green and low-carbon economy. Green investment institutions mainly focus on supporting the development of projects such as new and renewable energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency improvement. Because developing countries not only need to deal with climate change, but also need to control environmental pollution, the green investment institutions established by them often include environmental governance projects into the investment target industries.