For example, the the G2A2, an alliance of CEOs committed to addressing climate and environmental risks, will launch the Green Investment Report with precisely the goal of "unlocking finance for green growth".

CNN: Why 2013 could be a game-changer on climate

Because most U.S. banks are recapitalizing their businesses after the debt bubble burst, there are very few, if any western banks who will finance new green energy technologies.

FORBES: Why China Has To Dominate Green Tech

In retrospect, the roots of the crisis are easy to spot, Wachter writes in her analysis, co-written with is Richard K. Green, professor of finance and economics at George Washington University.

CNN: Understanding the subprime crunch

Google says it has been carbon neutral since 2007, offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions by signing contracts to purchase renewable energy from wind farms and the like and by buying carbon credits that help finance other green power projects.

FORBES: Google Reveals Its Carbon Footprint

The figures come from The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2012 report, a UN Environment Program backed study that has tracked the finance flowing into green energy across the world since 2004.

CNN: Who's funding the green energy revolution?

The Lib Dem version is an Infrastructure Bank to direct private finance into new rail services and green energy.

ECONOMIST: Two views on new banking rules are better than one

Carbon-emissions trading is becoming increasingly widespread within the industry, as is carbon off-setting, the latter involving passengers paying a voluntary surcharge to help finance the planting of trees or other green projects and so balance out the environmental damage caused by their journey.

CNN: Green wing:?can technology make flying more environmentally friendly?

This has opened a window of opportunity for the Chinese government to finance, and for Chinese technology companies to develop, then manufacture these new green products.

FORBES: Why China Has To Dominate Green Tech

The major finance group said the referendum process would create huge uncertainty at the moment when major decisions on green projects are needed.

BBC: Energy Committee 2