An Open Letter to the President and to the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2-5 May 2018, 51st Annual Meeting, Quezon City, Philippines

We – grassroots movements, non-government organizations and civil society networks from Asian countries – express grave concern over the Energy Policy of the ADB, as well as the Strategy 2030 draft.

It has been almost 10 years since the Energy Policy was adopted. Since then the Paris Agreement has entered into force, signed by 195 countries of which 176 are now State Parties. It is a legally binding instrument that identifies fossil fuels as a key driver of climate change, and provides a framework for global collective action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and shift to low-carbon economies. 

ADB itself cites global consensus arising around platforms such as the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda and the Paris climate deal as important changes and opportunities it must consider, hence the drafting of Strategy 2030. Yet, it appears no measure is being undertaken to bring the 2009 Energy Policy in line with these developments.

ADB’s Energy Policy continues to allow for financing of new coal power plants and other coal-related schemes such as “coal bed methane extraction and use”, “coal gasification”, “coal scrubbers”, “waste coal utilization” and “coal transportation over the sea”. It gives no clear position on putting an end to coal financing in the future. It also fails to consider the developments in renewable energy which have made it a more economical and financially feasible alternative to fossil fuels.

Setting restrictions in funding coal projects is no longer adequate at a time of intensifying climate change and increasingly catastrophic impacts especially on developing countries. They are also pointless since the Policy also promotes actions that worsen climate change. Further burning of fossil fuels contributes to exacerbating the climate crisis and multiplying the difficulties of vulnerable populations. Poverty deepens with the destruction and loss of lives, homes, natural resources and livelihoods brought about by climate change.

The 2030 Strategy, if it is to be seen as “align[ing] with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris agreement on climate change and other global commitments”, must support a swift and just transition to clean energy systems for the people and communities of Asia, and put an end to fossil fuels and other harmful energy as soon as possible. This means harmonizing ADB’s sectoral policies as well, such as in energy, with the spirit and thrusts of the Paris climate pact.

We call on ADB to channel funding into sustainably energy technology and renewable energy projects rather than false solutions to the climate crisis, which include Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and other “clean coal” schemes that inflict further harm on people and the environment. The level of ADB support for renewable energy remains grossly inadequate in proportion to the financing that goes into continuing support for fossil fuel-based energy projects. 

We urge ADB to bring its Energy Policy and Strategy 2030 in line with the growing global demand to stop financing new coal-fired power plants and coal mines, and move in the direction of phasing out fossil fuel use, especially coal, while effectively promoting the transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources.

Signatories:

1.   Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)

2.   NGO Forum on ADB

3.   Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific (FOE APAC)

4.   Greenpeace Southeast Asia

5.   Focus on the Global South

6.   Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)

7.    SEAFISH for Justice

8.    South Asian Alliance for Povery Eradication (SAAPE)

9.    Network for Transformative Social Protection in Asia (NTSP)

10.  ALTSEAN-Burma

11.  350.org Pilipinas

12.  Adivasi Mulvasi Astitva Raksha manch – India

13.  AKSI! Indonesia

14.  All India Women Hawker Federation, India

15.  All Nepal Peasant's Federation (ANPFa) - Nepal

16.  All Nepal Womens Association -Nepal

17.  Asiochi Independence  Force, Myanmar

18.  AWDO(Naphe), Myanmar

19.  Ayeyarwaddy  Transparency and Accountability Association (ATAA), Myanmar

20.  Ayearwady West Development Organization (AWDO), Myanmar

21.  Bangladesh Jatiyo Sramik Jote -Bangladesh

22.  Bangladesh Krishok Federation 

23.  Bangladesh Poribrsh Andolon ( BAPA), Bangladesh

24.  Bayay Sibuyanon Inc., Philippines

25.  Budakattu Krishikara Sangha, India

26.  Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino (BMP –Solidarity of Filipino Workers), Philippines

27.   Campaign for Good Governance-SUPRO! -Bangladesh

28.  Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) , Philippines

29.  Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Sri Lanka

30.  Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia

31.  CHANGE, Vietnam

32.  Citizen Action for Transparency (CafT), Myanmar

33.  Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO Menghalaya), India

34.  Climate Watch Thailand

35.  Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network, Bangladesh

36.  Combat Climate Change Network, India

37.  Community Empowerment and Social Justice Foundation (CEmSoJ), Nepal

38.  CORD, India

39.  Dawei Development Association (DDA)-Myanmar

40.  Dawei District Farmer Union, Myanmar

41.  Debt Watch – Indonesia

42.  DIGNIDAD Coalition, Philippines

43.  Environics Trust, India

44.  EquityBD, Bangladesh

45.  Farmers and Land Users' Union( Myeik), Myanmar

46.  Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Philippines

47.  Forests and Farmers Foundation, Thailand

48.  Forum Against Disastrous Project in Konkan, India

49.  Friends of the Earth Japan

50.  GEFONT –Nepal

51.  Gitib -Philippines

52.  Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) Philippines

53.  Green Network Mergui Archipelago (Kyun Su), Myanmar

54.  Himalaya Niti Abhiyan – India

55.  Human Rights Alliance – Nepal

56.  Human Right Defenders and Promoters(Palaw), Myanmar

57.  Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), India

58.  Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF Gujarat), India

59.  Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF Kerala), India

60.  International Financial Institutions Watch (IFI Watch), Myanmar

61.  Jagaran Nepal

62.  JATAM Indonesia

63.  Kalayaan! Pilipinas

64.  Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike, India

65.  Karen Coal Coalition (KCC), Myanmar

66.   Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), Myanmar

67.   Karen River Watch (KRW), Myanmar

68.   Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation – India

69.   Khu Po Kapaw (Karen), Myanmar

70.   Koalisyong ng Pabahay ng Piipinas (KPP), Philipines

71.   KRUHA - Peoples Right to Water Coaliton, Indonesia

72.   Land Acquisition & Citizen Rights, Mongolia

73.   Land Resources Group, Myanmar

74.   Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center --Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth Philippines

75.   Moms and Dads Aganst Smog, Mongolia

76.   Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation - Malaysi

77.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA Ayeyarwaddy), Myanmar

78.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA Karen State), Myanmar

79.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency & Accountability (MATA Karenni State), Myanmar

80.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability MATA Magway), Myanmar

81.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA Mandalay Working Group), Myanmar

82.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency & Accountability (MATA Rakhine State), Myanmar

83.   Myanmar Alliance for Transparency & Accountability  (MATA Shan State), Myanmar

84.   Myanmar - China Pipeline Watch Committee (MCPWC), Myanmar

85.   Myanmar People Alliance  (Shan State), Myanmar

86.   Myat Wonn Thit Knowledge Society, Myanmar

87.   Myitmakha Watch, Myanmar

88.   Nadi Gati Morcha - India

89.   National Adivasi Alliance, India

90.   National Committee for Saving the Sundarbans( NCSS), Bangladesh

91.   National Hawker Federation, India

92.   NGO Forum on Cambodia

93.   ORIANG, Philippines

94.   Oyu Tolgoi Watch, Mongolia

95.   Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan

96.   Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Pakistan

97.   Paung Ku, Myanmar

98.   Peace & Open Society Kyaukse Township, Myanmar

99.   Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), Philippines

100.Political and Civil Engagement Group – Bago, Myanmar

101.Public Finance Public Accountability Collective (PFPAC), India

102.Public Network(Bago), Myanmar

103.Pwinphyu Development Organization (PDO), Myanmar

104.Right & Peace ( Kalay), Myanmar

105.River Basin Friends – India

106.Rivers without Boundaries Coalition, Mongolia

107.Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN), Nepal

108.Sagaing MATA Working Group, Myanmar

109.Salween Watch (SW), Myanmar

110.SANLAKAS, Philippines

111.Save The Salween Network (SSN), Myanmar

112.Sawit Watch, Indonesia

113.Saytodetayar Development Organization (SDO), Myanmar

114.Shwechinthae Social Service Group(Shwebo), Myanmar

115.Solidaritas Perempuan (Women) – Indonesia

116.Southern Youth, Myanmar

117.Takapaw, Myanmar

118.TANKS  (Kachin State), Myanmar

119.Tavoyan Women’s Union, Myanmar

120.Thayet Chaung Farmers Union, Myanmar

121.The Climate Reality Project Philippines

122.Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance (VSEA),Vietnam

123.WALHI, Indonesia

124.    WomanHealth Philippines

125.    World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines

126.    Yangon MATA,Myanmar

127.    Yomachi (Saytodetaya), Myanmar

128.    Youth Network Tanintharyi, Myanmar

129.    Zurgaan Buudal NGO, Mongolia

Individuals

130.Prof. Anuradha Chenoy (Retired), India

131.Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, India

International Endorsers & Supporters

132.    11.11.11 Asia

133.    Christian Aid

134.    350.org

135.    Bank Information Center Europe

136.    Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), USA

137.    Friends of the Earth (FOE) US

138.    Gender Action

139.    Market Forces, Australia

140.    Oil Change International

141.    Community Policing Partners for Justice, Security and Democratic Reforms (COMPPART), Nigeria