Finance Ministers launch coalition to fight climate change

Finance Ministers from over 20 countries came together during the World/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, USA, to launch a new coalition aimed at driving stronger collective action on climate change and its impacts.

The newly formed Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action endorsed a set of six common principles, known as the “Helsinki Principles,” that promote national climate action, especially through fiscal policy and the use of public finance.

The Helsinki Principles – so-called as they were conceived by a group of Governments represented at a meeting led by Finland and Chile in Helsinki in February – are designed to support Finance Ministers to share best practices and experiences on macro, fiscal, and public financial management policies for low-carbon and climate-resilient growth.

The Coalition is expected to help countries mobilize and align the finance needed to implement their national climate action plans; establish best practices such as climate budgeting and strategies for, green investment and procurement; and factor climate risks and vulnerabilities into members’ economic planning.

Speaking after the launch, Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank CEO said: “Finance ministries have a crucial role to play in accelerating the global shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient growth model.

This Coalition demonstrates new levels of ambition from decision makers in the fiscal policy arena, and provides an important platform for Finance Ministers to share best practice on the jobs and growth benefits of the new climate economy.”

“Climate change is a real threat nowadays but we can turn it into an opportunity,” said Felipe Larraín Bascuñán, Minister of Finance, Chile.

“Beyond traditional tools like carbon pricing or the phasing out of fossil fuels we can stimulate and signal the private sector to invest in innovative solutions, incorporate this risk and externalities into the investment decision making process. Economic growth is essential but reducing emissions is also essential. We need more ambition and concrete commitments that translate into action.”

“The Coalition will be successful, if it helps us plan concrete, effective policy measures to address the climate crisis nationally, regionally and globally,” said Petteri Orpo, Minister of Finance, Finland.

The World Bank will serve as secretariat for the Coalition and will partner with various institutions to provide strategic and technical support to governments, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), UNFCCC Secretariat, UN Development Programme (UNDP), other UN agencies and the NDC Partnership.