Master
English

A road toward green state capitalism? the case of energy transition and sovereign wealth funds

Number of pages82
Master program titleMaster in Political Economy of Capitalism
Defense date2026-01-28
Abstract

This thesis examines the role of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in financing the clean energy transition within the broader context of contemporary state capitalism. It examines the extent to which sovereign wealth funds mobilize capital toward renewable energy investments, and how this engagement varies across fund types and mandates. Through an empirical analysis of six sovereign wealth funds between 2017 and 2024, the research maps their allocation to renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and other low-carbon assets using an original asset-level classification. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity across stabilization, strategic, and savings funds, with strategic funds displaying the most direct engagement in renewable energy investment, while stabilization funds remain structurally constrained by liquidity requirements. The thesis argues that although SWFs possess distinctive advantages as long-term public investors, their current level of engagement remains insufficient to position them as systemic leaders of the cleanenergy transition. It concludes that the emergence of a greenform of state capitalism through sovereign wealth funds is contingent on stronger mandates, governance frameworks, and political commitment to climate-aligned investment strategies.

Keywords
  • Sovereign wealth funds
  • SWFs
  • The clean energy transition
  • Empirical analysis
  • Six sovereign wealth funds
  • Between 2017 and 2024
  • Long-term public investors
  • Distinctive advantages
Citation (ISO format)
AUTIER, Julien Jean-Louis. A road toward green state capitalism? the case of energy transition and sovereign wealth funds. Master, 2026.
Main files (1)
Master thesis
accessLevelRestricted
Identifiers
  • PID : unige:192601
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Creation24/03/2026 12:00:30
First validation25/03/2026 08:01:06
Update25/03/2026 08:01:06
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