Archived press release

World bank vote on South African coal power station - Friends of the Earth statement

7 April 2010

Speaking in advance of the World Bank vote on the approval of a $3.7bn loan to South Africa to build Africa's largest coal-fired power station, Friends of the Earth's senior international climate campaigner Asad Rehman said:

"The British Government wants South Africa to take tough action to tackle climate change, yet looks set to back a loan which would enable the largest coal-fired power station in Africa to be built - a massive setback for strong international action on global warming.

"The World Bank itself has said that the power station would breach environmental guidelines - and ironically the plant will power mining operations rather than providing electricity to the poorest local communities who most need it.

"Protests from groups on the ground in South Africa, including NGOs, churches and local residents are large and growing - and British ministers know that plans for the plant breach their own guidelines on clean development.

"The Government must vote no to new coal in South Africa at the World Bank meeting tomorrow - or it will be condoning another step towards climate catastrophe."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. On Thursday, 8 April 2010, the World Bank will vote on whether to approve a loan to the South African state electricity company ESKOM to construct the largest coal-fired power station in the world. The British Government has signalled that it will support the loan, despite pushing for the South African government to take tough action on climate change. The USA is expected to abstain.

2. Friends of the Earth is calling for rich countries to increase their level of ambition to cut their emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020, without carbon offsetting. This is the minimum the science says is required.

3. The green campaigning charity is also calling on rich countries to reaffirm their commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, under which rich countries accept their responsibility for causing climate change and agree to cut their emissions first and fastest.

4. Friends of the Earth is also calling on the world's rich countries to recommit to the UN negotiating process, enshrining the principles of democracy and inclusion, rather than pursuing action through alternative forums such as the G20 or the Major Economies Forum.

5. Friends of the Earth is supporting the campaign for a tax on financial transactions - a Robin Hood Tax - to provide finance for developing countries to develop cleanly and adapt to the effects of climate change. http://robinhoodtax.org.uk

6. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust