W Bank's framework ineffective in combating climate changes: report

Singapore, Sep 17 (UNI) The World Bank's promise to seriously support alternative energy sources remains unfulfilled, according to a new report published today to coincide with the World Bank's annual meeting to be held during September 19-20 in Singapore.

The report, published by international environment and development organisations, concludes that the World Bank's new Investment Framework on Clean Energy and Development will not be effective at combating climate change and expanding energy access for the poor.

The World Bank's Investment Framework presented in Singapore today proposes raising 10 billion dollar for conventional energy technologies, while selling renewable sources of energy short.

The World Bank Investment Framework is a response to a mandate from the G-8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005. It aims to increase access to energy in developing countries, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector, and assist developing countries to adapt to climatic changes.

Instead of combating climate change, the World Bank Investment Framework promotes coal-fired power, nuclear power and large hydropower projects, noted the report.

The World Bank also proposes setting up a new 10 billion dollar fund to bring down the costs of conventional energy technologies that have lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Yet a continued focus on fossil fuel technologies will neither bring about the required shift to a carbon-free development path, nor bring energy services to the 1.6 billion people who have no access to modern energy and often live far away from electric grids.

As they launch their critique of the World Bank's Investment Framework in Singapore, environment and development organisations call on governments and financial institutions to take the following steps: . End public subsidies for fossil fuel projects; . Step up efforts to meet the basic energy needs of the poor; and . Redirect existing dirty energy financing to renewable technologies and energy efficiency projects via a new Renewable Energy for Development Agency.

"Poor communities in developing countries are already paying the highest price of climate change, living with the impacts of heavy droughts and floods", said Pantoro Tri Kuswar of Friends of the Earth Indonesia/ WALHI.

"The World Bank's focus on fossil fuel projects will not bring electricity to the poor. Instead, the Bank's proposals will lead to more pollution, conflict and corruption and do little to stop climate change." "In continuing to lend for fossil fuel and dam projects, the World Bank has consistently missed the social and environmental double dividend that renewable energy technologies could bring", said Peter Bosshard of International Rivers Network. "The Bank's continued support for fossil fuel projects will sell poor people and the climate short." "If the World Bank wants to be a positive force in the fight against climate change then the first step is to stop subsidising the expansion of the oil industry," said Graham Saul of Oil Change International. "You can't actively subsidise fossil fuels and effectively fight climate change at the same time. It's a disgrace that public institutions like the World Bank are using aid money to prop up oil companies that are already the most profitable companies in the world." "As long as the World Bank hides the staggering greenhouse gas emissions in its portfolio, while profiting from commissions on carbon credits, its carbon trading schemes are nothing but a shell game," said Daphne Wysham of the Institute for Policy Studies.

"Being dominated by Northern polluters, the World Bank is an inappropriate institution to lead global efforts to combat climate change", said Bruce Jenkins of the Bank Information Center. "Rich countries should channel any additional resources for energy sector development through a new Renewable Energy for Development Agency." UNI XC DKB HT1015