Clean energy investments in the face of climate change: The synergistic effects of green bonds and energy innovation

Researchers and policymakers are putting forth substantial efforts to promote the adoption of clean energy and mitigate environmental degradation in the face of climate change. In this study, we examine the synergistic effects of green bonds, energy innovations, climate change concerns, and oil price on energy transition using weekly data from November 1, 2015, to July 7, 2024. Applying an advanced time-varying method based on Wavelet coherence with partial and multiple coherence dimensions, we obtained the following results: (i) a positive and strong medium-term effect of climate change policies and green bonds on renewable energy adoption with limited coherence in the long term only for the case of green bonds; (ii) substantial coherence of competing fossil fuel technologies and their rebound effects impede renewable energy adoption in the medium term; (iii) oil price fluctuations influence renewable energy transitions with inconsistent short-term, medium-term (in some specific regions), and long-term coherence dimensions. (iv) climate change concerns are strengthened and sharpened by green bond financing across time frequencies. Based on these findings, we therefore emphasize the importance of increasing investments in clean energy to achieve climate change objectives.