The new measures to accelerate this investment were set out by Claire Perry, climate change minister, during the opening ceremony of Climate Week in New York.

Green finance includes private sector investments in technologies, infrastructure and innovative start-ups that can create jobs and expand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The government has established a taskforce of senior financial experts to accelerate the growth of green finance and the UK’s low-carbon economy.

Chaired by Roger Gifford, the former Lord Mayor of London, the taskforce will have six months to deliver proposals to accelerate investment in the low-carbon economy.

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The development of the world’s first green financial management standards with the British Standards Institute has also been announced.

The institute will produce the first standard in the first half of 2018.

Ms Perry said: “Britain has already shown the world that a strong economy and efforts to tackle climate change can, and should, go hand in hand. 

“The transition to a low-carbon economy is a multi-billion-pound investment opportunity and a key part of this government’s industrial strategy. 

“Developing standards to promote responsible investment in sustainable projects and establishing the green finance taskforce will help ensure businesses across the UK take full advantage of it.”

The government has also endorsed recommendations published by the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.