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The report critiques the AIIB's Climate-Focused Policy-Based Financing (CPBF) instrument, arguing that it contains significant loopholes regarding fossil fuel finance and lacks robust safeguards for human rights and gender equality. Based on an analysis of programmes in Brazil and Bangladesh, the authors find that while CPBF loans are counted as 100% climate finance, the funds are fungible and not tracked for specific climate outcomes. The document recommends banning all fossil fuel finance, strengthening the Project-affected Peoples’ Mechanism (PPM), and aligning Paris alignment methodologies strictly with the 1.5°C goal.

The report argues that the IMF's 'climate turn' is contradictory, as its conventional lending programmes (Upper Credit Tranche) often prioritize fiscal consolidation and extractive industries, undermining the climate goals of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Through case studies in Ecuador, Egypt, the DRC, Tanzania, and Pakistan, the document demonstrates how IMF-mandated expenditure compression and reliance on fossil fuel exports create structural climate vulnerabilities. Key findings indicate that while the IMF has improved its climate analysis, this does not translate into programme design, which continues to favor private investment and cost recovery over the public investment needed for a just transition.

At the 2026 African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings, Recourse is calling for a shift in development finance to prioritise equitable renewable energy access and a just transition across Africa. The organisation demands a dedicated financing window for decentralised renewable energy (DRE), targeting at least 30% of energy access financing by 2027, and urges the Bank to halt all LNG and fossil gas financing. Recourse also advocates for grant-based and concessional public finance to prevent increasing debt distress and calls for stronger protections for communities affected by energy and extractive projects.

The briefing argues that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) uses financial intermediaries (FIs) like Clifford Capital to bypass restrictions on fossil gas investments. While the ADB committed to Paris Agreement goals in 2017 and stopped financing coal, it provided approximately $4.48bn for oil and gas infrastructure in Asia Pacific between 2017 and 2025. The document highlights Clifford Capital, which received a $95m equity investment from the ADB in 2020, as a channel for funding fossil gas projects, including the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia and Bhola-2 in Bangladesh. The authors call for greater transparency in FI lending, a prohibition on new fossil gas infrastructure funding, and a time-bound fossil fuels exit plan.

The document examines the impact of geothermal energy expansion in Indonesia, specifically projects funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. It details environmental degradation, including water depletion and pollution, and social harms such as health crises, economic losses for farmers, and the criminalization of dissent. The author advocates for a 'Feminist Just Transition' framework to ensure community consent and equity in the energy transition.

The statement calls for COP30 in Belem to establish an action plan for a just transition to 100% renewable energy, specifically targeting the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs). It argues that current MDB models prioritise private profit and increase debt in the Global South, citing examples of harmful green hydrogen and hydropower projects. The authors propose three shifts: an immediate end to fossil fuel and 'false solution' finance, the provision of grants instead of debt-creating instruments, and a move toward small-scale, community-owned renewable energy projects to ensure energy sovereignty.

The briefing criticizes multilateral development banks (MDBs) for continuing to fund large-scale, centralized energy projects that the authors categorize as 'false solutions,' such as nuclear, carbon capture, and fossil gas. It argues these investments undermine equity and delay the transition to sustainable energy. Using case studies from Africa and Asia, the document recommends that MDBs prioritize decentralized renewable energy, reform climate finance frameworks, and ensure the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of Indigenous peoples.

The report details how the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group's IFC, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have financed Tangguh LNG, Indonesia's largest gas extraction site. It argues that this support locks Indonesia into fossil gas dependence, harms Indigenous communities, and increases greenhouse gas emissions, while calling for MDBs to end all fossil fuel funding.

The briefing argues that the global financial architecture requires far-reaching reform to make financial flows consistent with climate-resilient development, as current international institutions are failing to effectively redirect finance away from harmful activities.

The briefing argues that the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) technical assistance (TA), while a small part of overall financial commitments, exerts significant strategic influence over policy and project design. The authors contend that TA can act as a form of indirect funding for fossil gas and call for the ADB to align its energy policy with a total fossil gas phase-out, improve transparency, and ensure environmental and social risk disclosure for all TA.

The document assesses the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and African Development Bank (AfDB) against criteria for renewable energy transition, democratic energy systems, and environmental and social safeguards. It finds that these institutions often prioritize loans over grants, maintain gender-blind financing, and continue to invest in 'false solutions' such as large hydropower and hydrogen, despite their stated climate commitments.

The briefing examines how the AIIB uses capital market projects to leverage private finance while bypassing its own accountability mechanisms, specifically citing the Bayfront project as an example where investments enabled fossil gas projects and harmful renewable energy projects.

Civil society organisations have written to AIIB President Jin Liqun to express concern over the bank's limited engagement with external stakeholders. The group argues that the AIIB's current internal focus overemphasizes project benefits and underplays risks. They propose several critical discussion topics for the 2024 Annual Meeting, including the bank's fossil fuel divestment, Paris Agreement alignment, and the development of a Gender Action Plan. The letter also highlights logistical barriers for participants in Uzbekistan, including visa difficulties and the risks associated with the country's closed civic space.

The document highlights the absence of directly impacted communities from the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. It asserts that these frontline communities, who face the impacts of 'green extractivism' on their land, health, and rights, are essential for the panel to achieve its goal of leaving no one behind. The briefing specifically references concerns regarding lithium, nickel, and bauxite mining and processing in Argentina, Indonesia, and Guinea.

A coalition of 40 civil society organisations has called on World Bank Group President Ajay Banga to adopt stricter safeguards for transition mineral mining. The group recommends that the World Bank prioritise minimising mineral demand through technology life cycles, support national green industrial strategies over export-driven expansion, and enforce enhanced due diligence, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for Indigenous Peoples. They further argue that all transition mineral projects should be classified as 'category A high risk projects' to ensure robust application of accountability and safeguarding systems.

A coalition of civil society organizations argues that the AIIB's practice of delegating project approvals to management undermines governance and accountability to shareholder governments and citizens. The statement calls for the Board to reconsider the concept of delegation entirely or, at minimum, ensure that high-risk projects, fossil fuel activities, and financial intermediary investments are approved by the Board rather than the President.

Recourse calls on Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) at COP28 to end all financing for fossil fuels, prioritize grant and concessional finance over private-sector profit, and center local communities and human rights in energy investments. The organization also argues that the World Bank is an unsuitable host for the Loss and Damage Fund and demands an independent hosting mechanism accountable to the UNFCCC.

Recourse opposes the World Bank Group's role as interim host for the UNFCCC Loss and Damage Fund, arguing that the bank's continued fossil fuel investments, lack of democratic accountability, and private-sector focus make it unfit for the task. The organization further criticizes the proposal for making contributions from developed nations 'voluntary' and calls for a strictly limited hosting period with a clear exit strategy after four years.

Twenty-five organisations have urged the IMF to revise its macroeconomic strategy for Uganda, claiming that the current Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement contradicts net-zero science by relying on oil extraction for debt sustainability. The signatories argue that the IMF has failed to assess social, environmental, and balance of payment risks, while specifically supporting public investment in oil infrastructure over renewable energy.

A group of Tanzanian CSOs has requested that the World Bank improve its consultation process for the Country Partnership Framework (CPF FY2023-2027) by increasing transparency, extending deadlines, and expanding the geographic scope of engagement to include district-level and virtual participation.