"Despite the World bank’s commitment to be Paris aligned, the bank still continues to finance gas projects," said Grace Ronoh, Africa Finance Campaign Manager at Recourse. "The World Bank must urgently stop all financing of gas projects to make this commitment a reality. Also, to address the climate crisis, this year's IDA replenishment must be scaled significantly to help poor countries which still have to deal with a severely growing debt burden."

The group is calling on the World Bank Group and its shareholders to stop funding fossil fuels, break the cycle of debt distress, and massively increase funding for clean energy and justice. They are also highlighting the efforts of World Bank President Ajay Banga, who is nearing the end of his first year in office without much to show for it on climate and debt justice. This is despite being selected for his climate credentials and making several strong statements about the need to reform the Bank on climate. 

“The World Bank's insistence on fossil fuel investments as a means to repay debt further exacerbates the climate crisis and perpetuates environmental injustices, disproportionately impacting communities especially women in the Global South,” said Shereen Talaat, Director of MENA Fem Movement For Economic, Development And Ecological Justice.

“As we advocate for comprehensive debt relief, it's imperative to end the cycle of coercion where indebted nations are forced into environmentally damaging practices,” added Talaat. “A transformative approach must prioritize gender-responsive debt relief strategies that empower women and enable sustainable development pathways, free from fossil fuel dependency."

These events have extra significance after the United Nations climate chief warns that the World Bank must take a "quantum leap" on climate finance to help developing countries tackle the climate crisis this year. This year’s spring meetings will be an important opportunity for the Bank to commit massive new funding through the International Development Association, which is due for a replenishment, and which Banga said is the “single most important thing in the World Bank,” he said, because it is the only source of funding for many countries. He also said he hoped to make the next IDA replenishment “the largest of all time.” 

The meetings come amid devastating global heat records, according to the recent “red-alert” report from the World Meteorological Organization. 

Protest Schedule for the Rest of the Week

• Tuesday, April 16, 9:00 AM: “Gas Kills” Protest. In coordination with the Big Shift Global, activists will transform the World Bank entrance into a danger zone with signage and banners calling out the World Bank’s continued funding for gas projects around the world. 

• Wednesday, April 17, 8:30 AM: G7 Protest Outside IDA Forum. Protesters will greet world leaders as they enter the World Bank for the International Development Association (IDA) Forum meeting. Activists will be calling on G7 leaders to massively replenish this funding to alleviate debt so developing countries can transition to clean energy.

• Thursday, April 18, 12:00 PM Noon: Retirement Party for Axel van Trotsenburg. Outside the World Bank entrance, activists will protest Axel van Trotsenburg’s long tenure and urge him to retire with a retirement party-themed protest. 

• Friday, April 19, 10:00 AM: Debt for Climate Zambia activists call on World Bank to Drop the Debt. As part of a global day of action, activists will march in Zambia to deliver a letter calling for debt relief. March route available upon request.

• Friday, April 19, 12:00 PM Noon: Day of Action. A massive march and rally will cap out the week of events, featuring a Star Wars-themed protest alongside dozens of groups from around the world

Spokespeople from a variety of social/global movements spanning the issues of climate, development, and international debt will be available for interviews.

PHOTOS WILL BE SENT OUT AFTER EACH EVENT. Preview past actions from Glasgow Actions Team here.

Contact:
Denise Robbins, denise@glasgowactions.com, 608-320-6582
Abbie Veitch, abbie@glasgowactions.com, 631-708-8541

About the Glasgow Actions Team: 

Formed before the UN Climate Conference in 2021, the Glasgow Actions Team is committed to pushing the world's climate champions to go farther, calling out the blockers, and exposing the deniers. Throughout the 2024 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group they'll be running extremely mediagenic actions calling on the World Bank to get in line with the Paris Climate Goals — to stop funding fossil fuels, invest in renewables, relieve debt, and become a more transparent and democratic institution. 

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