This is driving strong demand for smart grids, green building materials and the like.

ECONOMIST: Business comes to terms with a disappointing outcome

Knowledge sharing led to extremely successful business opportunities for companies like GE and construction company Cemex (in green energy and building materials directed toward the bottom of the period in Latin America, respectively).

FORBES: The Case for Crowdsourcing Innovation and Social Change

They might also cover the start-up costs of suppliers, lowering prices of green-building expertise and materials.

FORBES: How Governments Spur Private-Sector Demand for Green Buildings