Presidente. – O próximo ponto da ordem do dia é a Declaração da Comissão «Fazer avançar a agenda Bridgetown de 2022» ().
Mairead McGuinness,Member of the Commission. – Mr. President, colleagues, the Bridgetown Initiative is an international initiative on ways to scale up finance, to fund the changes needed, tackling climate change and help communities and vulnerable countries to do that.
As we all know, we faced globally many short- and long—term crises over the past few years, and those crises have shown that we need more and better finance that is more readily available to help the most vulnerable countries address global challenges like climate change or pandemics. Both low- and some middle—income countries are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Climate—related shocks have the potential to be highly destabilising and the action needed to address them can be overwhelming to the affected countries and communities. So we do need to think about what people are most in need of support, not just which countries. However, rebalanced funding should not come at the expense of low—income countries. We need to maintain the resources allocated to the poorest countries and to fragile or conflict—affected regions.
Recent reports highlight the gaps in financing for the green transition and for responding to the needs of countries most vulnerable to climate change. This initiative proposes ways to address these gaps in a substantive and operational way. Many of its proposals are being discussed in the preparatory working groups for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact organised by President Macron and Prime Minister Mottley. This will take place in June. The European Commission is actively engaged in these working groups.
The European Union and its Member States are the largest providers of climate finance in the world. But we all know that public finance will never be enough to respond to the scale of the climate and environmental challenge, either in Europe or indeed globally. All actors need to be on board. This includes the private sector and multilateral development banks.
The Bridgetown proposals are particularly relevant for multilateral development banks and the reform process they have recently launched, including the World Bank Evolution Roadmap. The evolution of multilateral development banks will be the focus of many discussions in the coming months in international forums. That includes the World Bank and the IMF spring meetings in April, then their annual meetings in October.
The Global Financial Pact summit in June, organised by President Macron and Prime Minister Mottley, is expected to generate additional momentum for the reform process. This was discussed last week by EU Ministers for Development and a process has started to identify a common European position. Colleagues, I now look forward to your views.
Stanislav Polčák, za skupinu PPE. – Pane předsedající, když v malém ostrovním rozvojovém státu udeří tropická bouře, může zničit infrastrukturu ostrova s významnými ekonomickými i sociálními následky. A obnova této infrastruktury pak vyžaduje skutečně velké množství finančních prostředků. Jenže takový malý stát nemá mnoho způsobů, jak mobilizovat kapitál k přestavbě poničené infrastruktury, a to z řady důvodů – má samozřejmě malou ekonomiku, má malý domácí kapitálový trh – a také kvůli tomu, že klimatická změna zvyšuje finanční rizika, která prodražují úvěry poskytované v rámci mezinárodního finančního systému. Klimatická změna ukazuje, že tyto dopady budou na ostrovní státy doléhat stále častěji.
A v tomto kontextu se v roce 2022 na Barbadosu zřídila právě zmíněná bridgetownská iniciativa. Jejím cílem je mobilizovat více soukromých a finančních prostředků na klimatickou transformaci a lepší odolnost vůči přírodním pohromám způsobeným změnou klimatu. Je sice pravda, že malé ostrovní státy představují jen 1 % světové populace, ale pokud k nim připočítáme 3,3 miliardy lidí žijících v oblasti tropů, nabývá právě bridgetownská iniciativa výrazně širšího významu. Lepší ochrany zmíněných zemí před ničivými dopady změny klimatu lze dosáhnout například tím, že do dluhových nástrojů budou zahrnuty doložky o přírodních katastrofách. Bridgetownská iniciativa podnítila tu debatu také na konferenci COP27.
Já jsem přesvědčen, že odpovědnost za ničivé dopady změny klimatu je sdílená a nejzranitelnější země si zaslouží naši podporu a pomoc. Nemohou zůstat v tomto riziku samy, nemohou nést toto tíživé břemeno samy. Jsem velmi rád, že paní komisařka již oznámila, že start procesu podpory těmto zemím započal i na evropské úrovni.
Carlos Zorrinho, em nome do Grupo S&D. – Senhor Presidente, Senhora Comissária, a Agenda de Bridgetown, que foi lançada pela primeira—ministra de Barbados, Mia Mottley, no outono de 2022, visa criar uma coligação de vontades que permita pôr em prática medidas para reformar a arquitetura global do financiamento ao desenvolvimento, tendo em conta o quadro de exceção criado pelas designadas três crises que se interconectam – designadamente a crise da inflação, a crise da dívida dos países em desenvolvimento e a crise climática.
Um em cada cinco países – com particular incidência nos países de médio e baixo rendimento per capita – vive sob pressão financeira e orçamental agudas. As consequências desta crise sistémica para o sistema financeiro internacional, para a estabilidade política e para o combate às alterações climáticas são catastróficas.
Saúdo a Comissão Europeia por reconhecer que a Agenda de Bridgetown é um instrumento de ação fundamental e por apoiar a sua concretização. A Comissão assume – tal como já o tinha feito, em 20 de fevereiro, o Conselho de Ministros dos Negócios Estrangeiros da União Europeia – o seu compromisso com uma reforma do sistema financeiro global que reduza a pressão da dívida dos países de médio e baixo rendimento e redirecione as prioridades do Banco Mundial e dos outros bancos multilaterais de desenvolvimento para o cumprimento dos objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável e, em particular, para a agenda do clima.
Como potência multilateral que ambiciona liderar as transições gémeas, embebendo nela os seus valores de liberdade e solidariedade, e dar um forte contributo para o cumprimento do Acordo de Paris e da Agenda 2030, a União Europeia deve continuar, assim, a apoiar a Agenda de Bridgetown.
Neste contexto, não posso deixar de sublinhar a importância da parceria África—Caraíbas—Pacífico—União Europeia e a urgência de assinar e colocar em vigor o Acordo de Pós—Cotonu.
Stéphane Bijoux, au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, dans l’hémisphère sud, plus de 3milliards d’humains vivent sous la menace permanente du dérèglement climatique. En ce moment même, en Afrique de l’Est, le terrible cyclone tropical Freddy fait des ravages et le bilan est déjà à plus de200morts pour les petits États insulaires en développement.
La question de la résilience, de la résistance au dérèglement climatique est non seulement une question de survie, mais c’est aussi une question d’argent. Et il faut en parler parce que cela coûte cher de reconstruire, de s’adapter, d’innover. Et ces pays en première ligne ont besoin de plus de financements avec des procédures plus simples et surtout plus rapides. L’agenda de Bridgetown porte des propositions fortes pour débloquer l’accès à des milliards d’euros d’investissements indispensables pour construire cette résilience climatique.
Mais pour réussir, nous devons mettre tout le monde autour de la table: les pays développés, les pays en développement, les institutions financières, le secteur privé également. Cette démarche inclusive est impérative pour arriver à des résultats concrets.
Vous l’avez dit, en juin prochain, la France organisera un sommet crucial pour un nouveau pacte financier mondial. Nous aurons alors l’obligation, l’obligation d’avancer tous ensemble, de partager des solutions, de soutenir des initiatives locales au plus près du terrain pour lutter contre cette spirale infernale du dérèglement climatique. L’heure est à la coopération, à la solidarité, à l’efficacité. Nous devons agir. Agir vite. Nous n’avons plus le temps.
Dominique Bilde, au nom du groupe ID. – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, l’Agenda de Bridgetown se fonde sur un constat indéniable: 60% des pays à bas revenus risquaient le surendettement en2022, contre 30% en2015. Et les petits États insulaires en développement sont en première ligne de cette crise.
Une situation à laquelle certains prêts conclus avec la Chine ne sont pas étrangers. Cette dernière se ferait d’ailleurs tirer l’oreille pour participer équitablement à un éventuel effort mondial d’allégement. Du reste, la dette chinoise non visible, c’est-à-dire l’endettement non comptabilisé par le FMI, pèse lourdement sur les États insulaires en développement qui sont au cœur de cet agenda. En la matière, commençons donc par exiger que chacun prenne ses responsabilités.
Plus avant, force est de constater que la transparence n’est, hélas, pas toujours au rendez-vous. LaBarbade, pays fer de lance de l’agenda, figurait en février sur la liste grise du GAFI en matière de blanchiment d’argent et de financement du terrorisme, notamment. De même que la Jamaïque ou Haïti.
Bref, si l’agenda comporte des points pertinents, les fondamentaux du développement sont immuables: une gestion publique irréprochable et une transparence propre à inspirer confiance aux investisseurs et aux bailleurs de fonds. Tant que ces conditions ne seront pas réunies, hisser les pays les plus vulnérables au niveau de développement que l’on espère serait, hélas, illusoire.
Petros Kokkalis, on behalf of The Left Group. – Mr President, we welcome the Bridgetown Agenda proposed by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, as the first step towards an international financial system fit for the 21st century.
A few months ago, at COP27, we arrived at the historic, brave and just recognition of the liability of the Global North for loss and damage in the Global South. The idea is that those most affected by climate change are those least responsible for it and least able to adapt and should not be forced deeper into our debt to pay for the damage we inflicted upon them.
As tropical storms increase in frequency and catastrophic intensity due to climate change, Caribbean islands endure billions in damages and are obliged to take on unsustainable debt for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Hurricane Maria, in 2017, brought USD1.3billion of damage, and that is two and a half times the annual GDP of Dominica. Clearly, the UNFCCC’s means to address loss and damage are exhausted. This is why we must push for a new climate Bretton Woods, a radical transformation of the global financial architecture with climate justice at the forefront and debt relief to provide the fiscal space to invest in just transition adaptation and civic protection for those that need it most.
We must also heed the calls of Mia Mottley to place a loss and damage levy on fossil fuel companies, bearing in mind that, in 2022, total Global North to South climate finance was USD90billion, which is a quarter of the profits of just six fossil fuel companies, which were USD360billion. Clearly, it is time to end the current neoliberal global economic order, which has prioritised corporate profits over democratic development and is endangering human health, planetary integrity and global peace. This new financial architecture must be based on principles of equity, solidarity and sustained common progress within our common planetary boundaries.
By prioritising climate justice, debt cancellation and systemic transformation of the financial system, we cannot build a sustainable and just world for all. So, dear Commissioner, 2023 is critical, and as a major donor to the World Bank, we urge you to lead an ambitious reform with people, democracy and planet at its heart.
Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, globalna financijska infrastruktura treba radikalnu transformaciju a inicijativa iz Bridgetowna nije dovoljno veliki korak k tom cilju.
Upravo ovih dana vidimo propadanje velikih zapadnih banaka. Financijski sustav kakav dolazi sa Zapada, a koji se zasniva na dužničkoj doktrini i beskrajnom zaduživanju, koji se zasniva na tome da je realna ekonomija podređena financijskim tržištima, umjesto obrnuto, nepravedan je, eksploatacijski i neodrživ. Dovoljno je pogledati po kojim cijenama se kapital nudi Americi, a po kolikim afričkim državama? Opći trend na Zapadu je trend povećanja novčane mase, a u zadnjih nekoliko godina, osobito od početka corona krize, došlo je do stvaranja nevjerojatnih količina novih dolara i novih eura. Udio američkog dolara u svjetskoj trgovini, a osobito trgovini naftom iz godine u godinu opada. Imamo, dakle, sve više novca, a sve je manje onih koji ga žele koristiti. I sve je manje tržišta koja ga zapravo trebaju. Ako se ta dva trenda nastave i dalje, to nikako ne može dobro završiti niti za dolar, niti za Zapad. U isto vrijeme, zemlje BRICS-a rade na projektima izbacivanja dolara i zamjene istog drugim valutama, a Zapad to više nema snage zaustaviti.
Zbacivanje jarma, financijske eksploatacije bit će konačan korak dekolonizacije i ravnopravnosti naroda Afrike, Azije i Amerike.
Hervé Juvin (NI). – Monsieur le Président, Madame la Commissaire, l'Agenda de la Barbade a l'avantage de souligner le caractère manifestement insoutenable d'un système qui confronte quelques-uns des pays les plus pauvres du monde, comme la Barbade, comme récemment le Pakistan, aux conséquences de dérèglements environnementaux dont ils ne sont pour rien la cause. Mais ne nous y trompons pas. Des institutions internationales, un système bancaire et financier, un capitalisme devenu totalitaire qui ignore la concurrence, le marché comme la démocratie ne pourront pas résoudre eux-mêmes les problèmes qu'ils ont largement contribué à créer.
C'est pourquoi nous demandons un changement des normes comptables qui survalorisent les flux au détriment des stocks. C'est pourquoi nous demandons une révision des exigences de rendement financier manifestement incompatibles avec la survie des écosystèmes et le renouvellement des ressources naturelles. C'est pourquoi il faut rapidement procéder à la taxation des mouvements internationaux de capitaux qui sont totalement adverses à des sociétés résilientes et à des territoires durables. Retenons la parole de Keynes, le premier localiste: produisons chez nous tout ce qu'il est raisonnablement capable de produire, mais surtout que la finance et la banque demeurent nationales.
Catch-the-eye procedure
Mick Wallace (The Left). – Mr President, the World Bank and IMF are colonial institutions. They belong to a bygone era designed to make rich countries richer by running up colossal debts on poor countries. We know this because since the inception of these financial institutions, we’ve had rising absolute inequality. In fact, since 1960, global inequality has tripled. So much for the world’s largest development bank.
These deeply undemocratic institutions need to be either abolished or completely reimagined if they are to be in any way helpful for tackling the combination of crises that we’re facing in this century. We have a spiralling climate crisis, and despite all our talk, we have not come to terms with the gravity of it all. By 2050, it is reckoned that we will have 1.2billion climate refugees.
What are we going to do? How are poor countries going to rebuild homes and communities? How can this be done with the shackles of debt, the ball and chain of conditionality? We need to rewire the whole international financial system. More debt is more colonialism.
Clare Daly (The Left). – Mr President, far from helping, the IMF and the World Bank are imperialist institutions for the legalised theft of resources, where 85% of the world’s population are left with the minority say while the rich countries exercise a veto.
And I think there is a really sick irony in the fact that the World Bank provides around 1.7 billion to the oil and gas sector, while at the same time reaping back repayments on the indebted poor, the very people suffering from the climate crisis in the first place. We see now the revolving door where Donald Trump’s World Bank president appointee steps out, Joe Biden steps in and the ownership of this World Bank and IMF by the US continues
the very countries that are failing to pay for even the most meagre climate pledge. They failed to meet the 100 billion goal for 2020, but we actually need six times that finance in order to avoid the most dangerous climate change.
So where is that money going to come from? We could have international financial institutions that work for people and the climate, that are oriented by human needs. We need to totally dismantle Bretton Woods and make something more democratic.
(End of catch-the-eye procedure)
Mairead McGuinness,Member of the Commission. – Mr President, thank you, colleagues, for this discussion. Whatever side of the House you come from, it’s very clear that we face an enormous problem, and we do need to act and act with some urgency. I will remind you, as I said earlier, that the Commission will continue to actively participate in the preparations for the upcoming summit for a new global financing pact.
We have to engage all relevant actors through this summit and other relevant forums. This is the only way to find solutions to meet, as I said, the scale of this challenge, we will also continue to engage with the private sector and multilateral development banks to mobilise funds for climate- and nature-positive investments and to ensure that their vision, mission, operating model and financing are fit for purpose.
The next important milestone will be the World Bank and IMF Spring meetings in April, and we believe this is very timely. It represents a major opportunity for the international community to fast-forward concrete solutions and find the resources we desperately need to keep the 1.5 Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement alive and to increase climate resilience in the most vulnerable countries.
It is important that we speak with a coherent European voice across all tracks: development, finance and climate.