James Hooton is the Managing Director of the Green Finance Institute International, leading the GFI’s implementation strategy across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. With deep expertise in green finance and capital deployment, he spearheads global initiatives that unlock investment for the transition to a sustainable economy.

Under James’s leadership, the GFI has significantly expanded its international presence, forging strategic relationships with public and private stakeholders to mobilize finance at scale. His work focuses on directing committed capital toward high-impact, real-economy outcomes, ensuring investment flows into climate solutions that drive measurable change. A key area of his leadership has been the decarbonization of the built environment, where he has helped design innovative de-risking mechanisms to scale up cleantech and green infrastructure while enhancing EU competitiveness.

James’s global finance experience, including 15+ years with Goldman Sachs, spans multiple markets, providing him with a nuanced understanding of regulatory landscapes and investment ecosystems. He is a recognized advocate for accelerating green finance and aligning capital flows with net-zero goals. His ability to bridge financial expertise with policy implementation has been instrumental in advancing market-based solutions for climate resilience and sustainable growth.