Navigating the Intertwined Debt and Climate Crises: Unveiling and Assessing Solutions

Official Civil Society Policy Forum Event at the 2024 International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group Spring Meetings

There has been an increasing recognition of the vicious cycle of debt and climate change that many Global South countries are facing. Increased climate vulnerability leads to higher losses during extreme weather events, compounding already high debt burdens. Research shows that climate vulnerable economies also face higher costs of borrowing, inhibiting the ability of states to invest in adequate adaptation and mitigation measures, resulting in higher losses when extreme weather strikes – starting the cycle over again.

A growing number of proposals have emerged to address these interconnected issues. But what are these proposals, and can they address the needs of Global South countries? Can Climate Resilient Debt Clauses or debt-for-climate/nature swaps help disrupt the vicious climate-debt cycle?

On Friday, April 19 from 4:00-5:30 PM EDT, join us for an official Civil Society Policy Forum event at the 2024 International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group Spring Meetings to explore existing proposals for navigating the debt and climate crises.

This event is co-sponsored by Action Aid International; African Sovereign Debt Justice Network (AfSDJN); AfriCatalyst; AFRODAD; Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND); Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development; Bretton Woods Project; Caribbean Policy Development Centre; Center for Economic and Policy Research; Center for Human Rights and Climate Change Research; Climate Action Network International; Christian Aid; Debt for Climate; Debt for Climate South Africa; Debt Justice Norway; Debt Relief for a Green and Inclusive Recovery (DRGR) Project; Demand Climate Justice; ESCR-net; Eurodad; Institute For Economic Justice; Initiative for Social and Economic Rights; Latindadd; Mena Fem Movement for Economic, Development and Ecological Justice; Partners In Health; Recourse; SEATINI Uganda; Third World Network; WEDO

Speakers:

  • Jwala Rambarran, Senior Policy Advisor, Caribbean Policy Development Centre
  • Adrian Chikowore, Resources Mobilisation and Climate Finance Researcher, Institute for Economic Justice
  • Marina Zucker-Marques, Senior Academic Researcher, Boston University Global Development Policy Center
  • Marcos de Chamon, Deputy Division Chief, International Monetary Fund

Location:

Hybrid – International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C., HQ2-03B-768B