The twin challenges of air pollution and climate change demand a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, and a particularly rapid phase-out of coal-fired power plants. Despite this, the Korean government continues to be among the biggest backers of coal-fired power plants around the world.
Author: Alex Doukas
New report: Korea’s international coal finance will cause up to 27 trillion KRW in health and climate damages annually
A new analysis finds that overseas coal-fired power plants supported by Korea’s public finance institutions could cause as much as 27 trillion KRW (nearly USD 25 billion) in annual damage to people’s health and the climate.
The African Development Bank and Energy Access Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa
A new analysis of the energy finance provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) shows that while financing for clean energy access has increased since the bank’s landmark New Deal on Energy for Africa, support for off-grid and mini-grid solutions — often the fastest and most affordable energy access solutions — must accelerate if Africa is to realize universal energy access by 2030.
New Report: MDBs Continue to Shortchange Crucial Energy Access Solutions
While the MDBs endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals, this new report shows that from 2014 through 2017, MDBs directed just 2% of their energy finance toward the off-grid and mini-grid energy solutions.
Statement on the G7 Energy Ministers’ Reaffirmed Commitment to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Subsidies
“G7 countries must turn words into action and develop a detailed roadmap for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. For Canada, this responsibility ultimately lies with Environment and Clean Growth Minister Catherine McKenna and Finance Minister Bill Morneau,” said experts from the #StopFundingFossils coalition.
Report: Public Finance for Energy in Africa Focuses on Fossil Fuels, as Key Energy Access Solutions Are Left Behind
Analysis of the data shows that public finance for energy in Africa focuses on fossil fuels, as key energy access solutions are left behind.
New study shows axing fossil fuel subsidies can deliver big climate benefits (but press release says the opposite)
A study published today, by a group led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), indicates that eliminating fossil fuel subsidies could curb global greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 5% through 2030 while saving hundreds of billions of dollars in public money. Despite this seemingly good news, the framing of the study was strangely downbeat, casting these reductions as “only a small effect on CO2 emissions.” What we know from reading the actual findings of this study, as well as several other analyses of the climate impacts of fossil fuel subsidy removal, is that nixing oil, gas, and coal subsidies would be a big win for the climate, would saves money, and could free up resources to help the poorest and most vulnerable.
The World Bank just drove another nail in the coffin of oil and gas
The World Bank just shook the world of energy finance to its foundations. On December 12, at the One Planet Summit in Paris, the world’s most high-profile public bank said they would no longer finance oil and gas extraction after 2019. This move made headlines around the world, and it was the direct result of … Read More
Reaction: World Bank Steals Show at One Planet Summit by Phasing Out Upstream Oil and Gas Finance
Today at the One Planet Summit the World Bank set a new bar for financial climate leadership by committing to end finance for oil and gas extraction and exploration projects.
Dirty Dozen Released: 12 Projects that Undermine the One Planet Summit and Put the Climate at Risk
The 12 projects contained in today’s new briefing are examples that demonstrate how public finance is still acting as a critical lifeline for destructive fossil fuel projects, many of which could not otherwise be built, and how this support continues to this day, a full year after the Paris Agreement entered into force.