Tell Governments to Support Renewable Energy, Not Dams!

Date: 
Thursday, December 12, 2013

On December 16 and 17, World Bank member governments will meet in Moscow. They need to decide whether to fund more destructive dams or support clean, local energy solutions for poor communities.

The World Bank has asked governments to contribute billions of dollars to its IDA fund, from which it plans to support new mega-dams on the Congo and other rivers. These projects would serve the mining industry and big cities, but bypass the rural population. Poor communities like the villagers of the Bundi Valley in Congo would be displaced for the new mega-dams, but would be the last to benefit from them.

Clean local solutions such as solar, wind and micro-hydropower are much cheaper than proposed mega-projects. And unlike the next destructive dam on the Congo, they can deliver local jobs and clean energy now – to the people who need them the most.

We can stop the abuse of aid money for destructive dams. Let’s call on our governments to move $1.6 billion – the share of the World Bank fund that has traditionally supported destructive energy projects – from the World Bank to institutions that support solar, wind and micro-hydropower for rural communities.

Thank you for calling for Power 4 People who need clean, local energy now!