France Urges World Bank to Keep Climate Finance Goal
France’s Development Minister Raises Alarm Over World Bank Climate Target
Paris, France – [Date]
France’s development minister took a firm stand in London, warning the World Bank not to abandon its climate target after the U.S. pushes for a shift away from green projects.
- The bank has already postponed its Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) for another year, but the new deadline is set to expire at month’s end without a clear successor.
- European members and other shareholders fear that the plan could disappear entirely.
Key Points
- Climate Ambition Must Persist
The minister stressed that nations invested in the World Bank must keep its climate ambitions alive, even if some shareholders hold differing views.
U.S. Pressure on Funding Allocation
She highlighted the Trump administration’s demand that the bank reallocate 45 % of its lending from climate‑related projects to traditional development work, including fossil fuel ventures. This could undo progress on global environmental agreements.Shareholder Stance
In October, 19 of the 25 shareholders signed a statement urging continued support for climate goals. Representatives from the U.S., Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait declined to endorse it.Future Lobbying Efforts
France will keep lobbying at the World Bank’s upcoming meetings in Bangkok and Washington, stressing that a united front is needed to counteract setbacks on issues like plastic pollution.Urgency of Climate Action
The minister warned that climate disasters will grow more frequent as warming continues, and a strong signal from the World Bank is essential. She called for cooperation with countries committed to climate action, especially in times of political backlash.
