We – grassroots movements, non-government organizations and civil society networks from Asian countries and the rest of the world welcome the fact that we were invited to submit our proposals and concerns during the process of drafting the Energy Sector Strategy of the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB).  We note that a number of these proposals were taken on in the final version. We would like to express, however, our strong disappointment and disagreement with the Energy Sector Strategy paper still allowing for the financing of COAL. While it qualifies the conditions under which coal projects can be financed by the AIIB,  the circumstances described still leaves the door wide open for coal support. The deeply harmful impacts of coal mining and coal power plants on communities and the environment are undeniable and well-documented.  Coal power’s huge contributions to the escalation of the climate crisis is well-established and widely acknowledged.  It is in direct contradiction to AIIB’s avowed commitment to sustainable development and the Paris Agreement which expresses a goal of keeping temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The problem of energy poverty still affects hundreds of millions of people in the region. Governments have used this as justification to expand the coal power industry – referring to coal as the quickest and cheapest solution to the problem of energy access.  This is not an acceptable argument. Neither is it acceptable to present “clean coal technologies” as the alternative to old and obsolete coal technologies. 

There is no longer any excuse not to directly shift to renewable energy systems, which have already become more economically and financially feasible alternatives as evidenced by experiences in many countries including China and India. Likewise, we disagree with AIIB supporting large hydro systems. For decades communities in Asia have resisted these projects for their devastating social and environmental impacts. The AIIB, if it is to be true to its claims as a “green bank,” must marshal its resources to support a swift and just transition to renewable and clean energy systems for people and communities of Asia, and put an end to fossil fuels and other harmful energy as soon as possible.  Our people and planet deserve no less. # Signed: Adivasi Mulvasi Astitva Raksha manch – India AKSI - Indonesia Alliance for Tax and Fiscal Justice - Nepal All Nepal Peasant's Federation (ANPFa) - Nepal All Nepal Peasants Federation -Nepal All Nepal Womens Association –Nepal Alyansa Tigil Mina ( ATM) - Philippines Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura(AMA)-Philippines ARENA –Asia/Regional Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) – Asia/Regional Bank Information Center (BIC) – Europe/regional Bangladesh Krishok Federation -Bangladesh Bangladesh Jatiyo Sramik Jote -Bangladesh Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino ( BMP)- Philippines Bulig Visayas – Philippines Campaign for Climate Justice Nepal Central Eastern European Bankwatch – Europe/regional Center for Energy Ecology for Development (CEED) – Philippines Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ)  – Sri Lanka CHANGE – Vietnam Climate Reality Project -Philippines Climate Watch-Thailand CLEAN Bangladesh Community Development Library - Bangladesh Conservation Action Trust -India. Debt Watch – Indonesia EarthRights International EquityBD – Bangladesh FKNJ Jepara - Indonesia Focus on the Global South – Asia/Regional Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) – Philippines Friends of the Earth (FOE) - USA GEFONT –Nepal Gitib –Philippines Green Alternative, Georgia GreenID –Vietnam Greenpeace Southeast Asia Greenpeace -Indonesia Greenpeace -Philippines Greenpeace -Thailand Himalaya Niti Abhiyan – India Human Rights Alliance – Nepal Inclusive Development International - global Indian Social Action Forum –India Institute for Essential Services and Resources –Indonesia Jagaran Nepal Jatam - Indonesia Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation – India Koalisi Anti Utang - Indonesia KRUHA - Peoples Right to Water Coaliton – Indonesia LDC Watch – Global Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center/Friends of the Earth -Philippines Leave it in the Ground Initiative (LINGO) - Europe Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) – Asia/Regional Mines, minerals and People (mmP) – India Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation - Malaysia Nadi Gati Morcha - India National Federation of Hawkers -Bangladesh National Federation of Hawkers - India National Federation of Women Hawkers- India National Women Peasants Association, Nepal Nepal Youth Peasants Association –Nepal NGO Forum on ADB - global Our Rivers Our Life – Philippines Paguyuban UKPWR Batang -Indonesia Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum- Pakistan Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee – Pakistan Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) –Philippines RE:Common - Italy River Basin Friends – India Rural Reconstruction Nepal Sanlakas Philippines Sawit Watch - Indonesia SEAFISH for Justice Solidaritas Perempuan (Women) – Indonesia South Asian Alliance for Povery Eradication (SAAPE) South Asia Food Sovereignty Network South Asia Peasants Coalition SUPRO (Campaign for Good Governance) – Bangladesh Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) -Philippines Trade Union Policy Institute(TUPI) -Nepal Unnayan Onneshan –Bangladesh Urgewald - Germany VOICE – Bangladesh Vietnam Sustainable Energy Alliance (VSEA) -Vietnam WALHI/Friends of the Earth -Indonesia Youth for Climate Justice ( Y4CJ) - Philippines