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German NGO Urgewald published a report showing that the World Bank Group has invested over $12 billion in fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement, $10.5 billion of which were new direct fossil fuel project finance.
“In order to arrest the escalating climate crisis, the world needs an urgent and just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Data shows that the energy transition is happening far too slowly,” the report reads.
“Researchers from several expert organizations, including the UN Environment Program, determined the world is currently on track to produce 120% more fossil fuels by 2030 than is compatible with a 1.5°C pathway.”
According to Urgewald, although the World Bank states that without urgent action, climate change will push more than 100 million people into poverty by 2030, the multilateral institution is still part of the problem.
To support this assertion, Urgewald lists the investments made by the World Bank Group – comprised of the International Development Association (IDA), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – since the Paris Agreement.
Namely, $10.5 billion was allocated to new direct finance for fossil fuels in 30 countries in the form of new loans, guarantees, and equity; $200 million was invested in technical assistance in 11 countries to push specific large fossil fuel projects forward and/or to increase future fossil fuel investments. This includes funding consultants to help market investment into Brazil’s upstream oil and gas resources.
The World Bank has also maintained $1.4 billion in existing equity in fossil fuel operations.
“Until divested, the Bank’s equity continues to provide financial benefits to fossil fuel operations, such as lowering the cost of loans for expansions or development of new oil/gas fields. The WBG continues to get dividends and capital gains (or losses) from its equity in these operations,” Urgewald’s report states.
In addition to the figures, Urgewald says that billions more go to fossil fuels through WBG mixed operations funding both fossil fuels and renewable energy (> $3 billion since Paris Agreement); investments made through financial intermediaries such as commercial banks; and the provision of $8 to over $10 billion annually in budget support, which governments are free to spend on any infrastructure or power/fuel payment, except for nuclear power.
“The world is running out of time to avert a worsening climate crisis. At this point, every public dollar the World Bank invests in fossil fuels pushes the world further and further away from being able to limit global warming to 1.5°C,” the review reads.
“The Bank’s public assistance should only be used to assist countries towards a just energy transition. Rather than locking countries into dependency on the fossil fuel industry, the Bank should finance job training for workers to leave those industries.”
Comments
Night Rider
What populist rubbish! Population growth (1% = 80 million people!) will push people into poverty much quicker than the climate crisis. Control the population, especially in China and the Indian sub-continent, and you will control global warming. And, as for the the US Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney, with 7 children (granted 2 are adopted) – this is rank arrogance and stupidity.