The introduction last month of the US National Climate Bank Act is a boost for ‘green’ banks worldwide (see go.nature.com/33anbt1). These banks are mobilizing investment around the world to accelerate the transition to clean energy and mitigate climate change (see go.nature.com/33vfwd). Those investments reduce energy costs for consumers while generating returns for investors. I suggest that green-bank policymaking would benefit from a greater academic input.

Modelling and attribution studies, for instance, could assess the economic impacts of existing green banks. Research is also needed into the economic barriers to clean-energy uptake, and into new tools and solutions that green banks might use.

We must also evaluate the potential market effects of expanding green-bank incentives. Hawaii’s green bank, for example, is pioneering a programme that encourages tenants to invest in renewable power (go.nature.com/2ttfadb). And, on an international scale, the European Commission’s incoming president has suggested turning parts of the European Investment Bank into a climate bank, which would unlock €1 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) of investment (go.nature.com/2ta4tku).

Experts in clean-energy economics and policy must use their platforms to increase public understanding of the benefits of affordable, low‑carbon infrastructure.