The 2015 Paris Agreement had 194 countries make a commitment to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. While most countries have signed and ratified and all multilateral development banks have recognized the Paris Agreement, the emissions continue to increase. This means that regardless of the rhetoric and policy commitments of nation states, the financing of energy operations and projects are still not aligned with the climate goals.
This 2017 the ADB in its 50th anniversary is hosting yet another Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) and NGO Forum on ADB is urging the Bank to live up to its rhetoric and help countries deliver their climate goals as per the Paris Agreement. We call on the ADB to ensure that no dirty energy or coal energy project will be proposed in the Bank for future investment. ADB’s track record on energy investment is dirty. From 2007-2014 ADB invested in over $ 3 billion in coal projects. From 1994 - 2012 the Natural Defense Council found that ADB was the third largest financier of coal - fired power plants, investing $ 3.9 billion in 21 projects. Some of these coal projects have led to severe environmental and social damage such as $ 120 million Naga Coal Fired Power Plant, Visayas, Philippines; in 2013 the ADB approved $ 900 million Jamshoro Coal -Fired Power Plant in Sindh, Pakistan; and ADB’s $ 450 million Tata Mundra Ultra Mega Coal Plant in Gujarat, India. All of these projects have led to severe ecological harm, loss of livelihood, displacement, air and water pollution and health hazards. These further exacerbate the impacts of climate change and place marginalized sectors including older persons, children, and people with disabilities in more vulnerable situations.
We call on the ADB in its 50th year to recognize the historical harm (legacy harm) which, its projects have done to the environment and continue to do (Naga Coal Plant, Tata Mundra etc.)and immediately take the necessary measures to mitigate the environmental and social damages and stop all project operations.
In the name of ‘clean energy,’ the ADB continues to finance retrofitting old coal plants under the guise of ‘clean coal technology’ (CCT). Within the CCT frame the ADB continues to support coal through, liquefaction technologies in Mongolia, integrated gasification in China without affecting a meaningful reduction in emissions. NGO Forum on ADB urgently calls on ADB to not finance any form of Fossil Fuel energy project under the banner of Clean Energy. 50 years is enough! The ADB has to own up to its actions and stops playing around with words in order to push their dirty energy agenda.
We further call on the ADB to provide a clear plan of action on transitioning from Fossil Fuel energy to fully renewable energy investments. The transition from Fossil Fuel to RE should have clear indicators and targets which should be in line with countries and their respective NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) as per the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, with growing competitiveness and advancement in the Renewable Energy market, we urge ADB to define Renewable energy to only constitute the wind and solar energy sources. Renewable Energy investments should NOT include hydropower dams, as there is scientific proof of their emissions of methane contributing to climate change and adverse social, and environmental impacts.
Finally, on the issue of coal financing, the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have all indicated that they will not support coal aside exceptional circumstances, this rhetoric is similar to the ADB, and we know this still leaves the door open for further investment in coal projects. We urge ADB in its 50th year to take leadership from among all MDBs and issue an immediate ban on all forms of coal power projects in this year’s ACEF.
Endorsed by -
11.11.11-Belgium
All India Forum of Forest Movements, India
Armenian Environmental EcoFront Civil
Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)
Center for Energy, Ecology and Development (CEED)
Center for Migrant Advocacy
Center for Renewable Electricity Strategies (CREST)
Centre national de coopération au développement, CNCD-11.11.11
CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network)
DIGNIDAD Alliance
Environics Trust, India
Equitable Cambodia
Freedom from Debt Coalition
Greenpeace Philippines
HARIBON
Indigenous Perspectives
International Rivers
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center,.--Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRCKSK/FoE Phils)
LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women's Rights)
Manipur Cycle Club
Nash Vek
NGO Forum ADB in Armenia
NGO FORUM on Cambodia
North East Peoples Alliance
Pakistan Fisher Folks (PFF)
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ)
Social Action Forum - INSAF
Sri Lanka Nature Group
We Women Lanka Network Sri Lanka