Patrick Bolton

Patrick Bolton is a Professor of Finance and Economics at the Department of Finance, Business School, Imperial College London. He is affiliated with the Centre for Climate Finance and Investment. His research focuses on banking, finance, applied economics, and the intersection of climate policy with economic systems. Key themes include carbon pricing, sovereign debt restructuring, corporate climate accountability, and financial stability in an era of ecological risks.

His work addresses critical issues like climate finance mobilization, the economic implications of carbon transition risks, and the design of equitable global climate finance mechanisms. Bolton has extensively studied financial regulation, corporate governance, and the role of central banks in managing climate-related systemic risks. His contributions span theoretical frameworks for corporate finance, optimal debt structures, and the impact of environmental policies on corporate behavior.

Bolton’s recent research emphasizes practical solutions to decarbonization challenges, including financing frameworks for low-income nations and mechanisms to align investment portfolios with net-zero goals. He critiques existing financial systems for inadequate responses to climate crises and proposes innovative policy instruments to enhance resilience and equity.

Notable contributions include analyses of the 2012 Greek debt crisis, the 2023 Credit Suisse collapse, and the role of contingent convertible bonds in banking fragility. He advocates for integrated approaches to climate finance and debt sustainability, emphasizing global coordination to address ecological and economic interdependencies.