Responding to the World Bank Paris Alignment instrument methodologies and sector notes

The document argues that the World Bank's Paris Alignment (WB PA) framework is scientifically flawed and provides loopholes for continued investment in high-carbon technologies. It specifically criticizes the classification of fossil gas as a transition fuel and the use of 'expert judgement' over science-based criteria to justify emissions-intensive projects. The coalition calls for an urgent revision to exclude all fossil fuels, prioritize renewable energy, and increase transparency and civil society consultation.

• The WB PA framework is criticized for ignoring current climate science, specifically the IPCC's requirement that global greenhouse gas emissions peak before 2025 and reduce by 43% by 2030 to maintain the 1.5°C target.
• The inclusion of fossil gas as a 'transition fuel' and the reliance on unproven technologies like carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS), hydrogen blending, and synthetic fuels are seen as mechanisms that prolong fossil fuel dependency.
• The WB PA's criteria for alignment are described as having an 'extremely low bar,' allowing projects with 'significant GHG emissions' to be deemed aligned based on 'expert judgement' rather than transparent, science-based criteria.
• The Energy and Extractives Sector Note is deemed unfit for purpose because it classifies high-emitting projects, including fossil gas, as 'Paris aligned' and allows for the transportation and storage of natural gas.
• The methodology for Development Policy Financing is criticized for allowing prior actions to be considered Paris aligned even if they result in a large increase in greenhouse gas emissions, provided they are deemed to have a low risk of carbon lock-in.
• The coalition notes a lack of transparency and civil society engagement, stating that instrument methodologies were published and staff were trained before public consultations occurred.

APA

Trend Asia (n.d.). Responding to the World Bank Paris Alignment instrument methodologies and sector notes. https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Responding-to-the-World-Bank-Paris-Alignment-instrument-methodologies-and-sector-notes-final.pdf

Chicago

Trend Asia. Responding to the World Bank Paris Alignment instrument methodologies and sector notes. n.d. https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Responding-to-the-World-Bank-Paris-Alignment-instrument-methodologies-and-sector-notes-final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Trend Asia |title=Responding to the World Bank Paris Alignment instrument methodologies and sector notes |url=https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Responding-to-the-World-Bank-Paris-Alignment-instrument-methodologies-and-sector-notes-final.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{trendasiandresponding, author = {{Trend Asia}}, title = {{Responding to the World Bank Paris Alignment instrument methodologies and sector notes}}, publisher = {Trend Asia}, url = {https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Responding-to-the-World-Bank-Paris-Alignment-instrument-methodologies-and-sector-notes-final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }