Today development banks signed a joint declaration at the first global summit of development banks, Finance in Common. Before the summit, the UN Secretary General, youth climate activists, and over 300 civil society organisations all urged development banks to act to end fossil fuel investments. However, the joint declaration only includes a vague commitment to “consider” ways to reduce fossil fuel investments.
AfDB
Response to African Development Bank’s commitment to stop financing coal
“This is a critical step to clean renewable energy for frontline coal communities and a climate just future for all,” said Thuli Makama in response.
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.
Shortchanging Energy Access: A Progress Report on Multilateral Development Bank Finance
Overall, the MDBs are not financing energy access at nearly a sufficient level to meet the needs of energy-poor communities. Much of the energy access finance that is being provided is being directed to many of the communities that need it most. But even so, energy access is not reflected as a priority for the MDBs.