There is growing recognition that central banks must act to confront the climate crisis. They have the tools to catalyze and accelerate the end of financing for fossil fuels – through monetary policy, regulatory action, and excluding fossil fuel assets from their own portfolios. But, with only limited exceptions, they are not using these tools. This report identifies 10 criteria for assessing central banks against the Paris Agreement’s objective, and applies them to assess 12 major central banks.
fossil fuels
Release: CSOs call on G7 Leaders to stop pushing fossils
Today, 353 organizations from 58 countries released a letter calling on G7 leaders to stop financing fossil fuels; cancel debt payments in global South countries grappling with COVID-19 and climate impacts and pay their fair share of climate finance to global South countries for climate adaptation among other demands.
Letter: CSOs call on G7 to Stop Pushing Fossil Fuels & Invest in Clean Energy
In advance of this year’s G7 Summit, 353 organizations from 58 countries have signed a letter calling on G7 leaders to stop financing fossil fuels; cancel debt payments in global South countries grappling with COVID-19 and climate impacts, and pay their fair share of climate finance to global South countries for climate adaptation among other demands.
Shifting G7 Fossil Fuel Finance to Clean Energy
At this year’s G7 meeting countries are discussing how to “build back better” towards a “greener, more prosperous future.” This factsheet explains the current state of G7 finance for fossil fuels and why it needs to shift to clean energy.
IEA’s first 1.5°C-aligned scenario bolsters call for no new fossil fuel extraction
The IEA’s new 1.5°C-aligned scenario finds “no need for investment in new fossil fuel supply.” This represents a break from past IEA reports that boosted new oil and gas development by focusing on scenarios that steered the world towards catastrophic levels of warming. This is a big step in the right direction.
Only 6 months left till COP26. What must the UK do to make it a success?
With only six months left till COP26, the UK host has work to do. Ending public finance for fossil fuel projects overseas shows potential, but the UK’s lack of action on fossil fuels domestically risks undermining its credibility.
Fossil Free ADB reaction to Asian Development Bank draft energy policy
The Asian Development Bank issued its draft energy policy on Friday following the conclusion of its 54th Annual Meeting and clarion calls from the United Nations to end financing for all fossil fuels including gas. This first draft has ruled out financing for coal but allows for continued gas finance which dominates the ADB’s fossil fuel lending.
Is this even legal? Governments propping up fossil fuel production with public money.
Despite the need to rapidly wind-down fossil fuels to avert the worst of the climate crisis, governments worldwide continue to prop up fossil fuel production with huge sums of public money. They may be breaking international law.
Export credit agencies and states potentially at risk of climate litigation over finance for fossil fuels
A new legal opinion lays out the international law obligations of ECAs that are responsible for tens of billions of dollars per year in support for fossil fuels.
Sowing the Seeds of Climate Chaos: The Asian Development Bank’s Support for Gas
This new analysis finds the ADB has spent over $4.7 billion on gas since the adoption of the Paris Agreement. Plans to expand gas infrastructure in Asia pose one of the greatest threats to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and averting the most catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis.