Center for Environmental Finance (CEF)

Guidebook of Financial Tools: Paying for Sustainable Environmental Systems

The 2008 revision of the Guidebook of Financial Tools is a reference document for officials with environmental responsibilities. It is designed to assist interested parties with finding mechanisms to finance environmental protection initiatives.

This guidebook includes:

• Over 300 financial tools that can be used to pay for environmental systems.
• Ten sections that cover such topics as raising capital, enhancing credit, and financing pollution prevention activities, community-based environmental protection, and brownfields redevelopment. 
• A new section, “Tools for Accessing State and Local Financing,” that includes many state grant programs. 

International Environmental Finance Tools

The guide to International Environmental Finance Tools (2011) includes:

• International environmental financing tools, including assistance provided by U.S. government organizations and supported international financial institutions such as EPA, Agency for International Development, Department of Energy, World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. 
• Essential international environmental programs undertaken by the United Nations, selected foreign governments, and non-profit organizations.

We intend to undertake periodic updates of the Guidebooks and ask that users send us comments and suggestions for new tools, and changes and additions to those listed.

For comments, suggestions, and questions regarding the Guidebooks, please contact the EFIN Librarian (efin@epa.gov).