Sustainable Economic Systems

Sustainable Economic Systems

We aim to create a more environmentally sustainable and socially just world by transforming financial and economic systems. We work to redirect tax policies and public spending to make polluters pay for the costs of their pollution, and to drive the transition to a cleaner, low-carbon economy. At home and abroad, we advocate for policies that minimize environmental and social harm and fund a brighter future. In the United States, we strengthen regulations to encourage sustainability in financial markets and fight trade policies that allow companies to run roughshod over the environment and human rights. We also work with allies around the world to alter lending practices at financial institutions such as the World Bank, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Wall Street banks that fund polluting activities and harm communities in developing countries.
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Latest News See All
Advocates Urge Federal Government to Invoke Its Power Stop Funding Overseas Climate-Changing Projects

Although the Biden Administration has committed to ending all federal funding for overseas fossil fuel projects, EXIM continues to undermine this crucial assurance by providing billions in public funds to fossil-fuel projects worldwide.

Climate Activists Mark President Ajay Banga’s Bullish First Year

Friends of the Earth U.S. and partners marked Ajay Banga’s first year as president of the World Bank Group by exposing the Wall Street ties that are stymieing climate action at the financial institution.

Hundreds Gather for World Bank/IMF Action Day to Say: For People, For Planet – Decarbonize, Decolonize!

On the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Institutions, hundreds rallied and marched to demand the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund make deep changes to their business as usual in the name of climate, human rights, and economic and global justice.

Impact Stories See All
Fighting for Corporate Accountability
Fighting for Corporate Accountability

It is critical that investors — and the general public — understands how companies’ activities may be contributing to climate change, what the climate financial risk of their business is, and whether they have plans for transitioning to a low-carbon economy. 

Loosening Big Oil’s Stranglehold on Wall Street
Loosening Big Oil’s Stranglehold on Wall Street

Raymond exemplifies the fossil fuel industry’s decades of climate denial. His retreat under pressure from the climate movement in a historic win, showing that fossil oligarchs’ and climate deniers’ stranglehold on Wall Street is waning.

Taking on Wall Street
Taking on Wall Street

We thank our members for speaking out and working to take on the most powerful industry on the planet. Your voices helped fund projects that will save our planet, not destroy it.

Latest Blog Posts See All
Why is the World Bank Group financing profitable polluters like Standard Bank and Eni?

The World Bank Group (WBG) plays a massive role in directing global economic development, and has the potential to support climate mitigation and adaptation by strategically using public funds. Unfortunately, it continues to invest in profitable, polluting companies under the guise of green development. Over the past year, the…

How Institutions like the World Bank Group Finance Fossil Fuels 
How Institutions like the World Bank Group Finance Fossil Fuels 

The World Bank Group's mission is to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet. 

A Risky Bet: The IMF’s Role in Mozambique’s LNG Development
A Risky Bet: The IMF’s Role in Mozambique’s LNG Development

Serious financial, social, environmental, and climate risks aside, the development of LNG in Mozambique has also been tangled up in a corruption scandal of international scale, and a devastating militarized conflict impacting over a million people.

Resources See All
  • Letter to EXIM on Chafee Amendment
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  • Letter to DFC on IAM draft terms of reference
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  • Letter to EXIM on Trafigura
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