Responding to the World Bank's decision to go ahead with its loan to Eskom, Friends of the Earth's Head of International Climate Asad Rehman, said:
 
"The World Bank has made a mockery of the claim that it is helping the fight against climate change by approving a $3.7 billion loan to build of one of the world's largest coal-fired power station in South Africa.

"The loan, which fails to meet every single World Bank environmental and development policy, will lock South Africa into 40 years of reliance on dirty coal."

"In giving this massive new power station its stamp of approval, the World Bank has given a green light to dirty development, instead of helping developing countries to leapfrog dirty technology and develop cleanly.

"The fact that five countries refused to back this dirty deal is a result of a massive global campaign led by South African faith groups, trade unions, anti-poverty and environmental groups.

"The UK Government's environmental credibility now hangs in the balance after it passed up the opportunity to show real leadership by blocking the deal."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Italy, the US, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK abstained from voting following pressure from campaigning groups.