Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-03-31-Speech-3-214"
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"en.20040331.7.3-214"2
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"Mr President, this is the second time today that we have discussed mining and quarrying. This morning it was Mr Sjöstedt’s report, and now it is this resolution that indirectly concerns the mining and quarrying industry. I agree with both Mr Roche and Commissioner Vitorino that the energy, mining and quarrying industries are of great importance to the economies of many poor countries. At the same time, however, we know that this type of industrial activity often takes a form that has not been of direct benefit to the poor majority, has often given rise to serious environmental damage and has also, unfortunately, resulted in the income from the concessions granted chiefly ending up in the pockets of various ministers rather than in the treasury, where it could have contributed to development in these countries.
The study to which we are referring here is interesting and important. It points out the opportunities for these industries, and also the risk of the activity not taking place within a framework of social, environmental and human rights criteria. The consequences often turn out to be an increase in poverty and the destruction of the environment. We met Dr Salim a week or so ago when he was passing through. He gave a large number of examples of difficulties for the local population in various project areas: forced displacements, environmental damage, and so on.
It is important that the World Bank bear in mind the criticism levelled by the study, and I note that both the Council President and the Commission agree with many of its recommendations. It is very important that the EU Member States, the governments of which make up a large proportion of the Bank’s Board, coordinate their activities in this field and ensure that the Bank bears the recommendations in mind. I think that the Presidency could play a very important role in this.
If it is now important that the World Bank
reconsider matters, it is of course equally important that a number of other financial institutions also do so. Commissioner Vitorino indicated that a certain amount of agreement has been reached on the activities of export credit agencies. This may be so, but it is extremely flimsy at present. We need much stricter criteria for their activities, above all with reference to the social, environmental and climate situations.
To give an example: between 1994 and 2000, the export credit agencies in our OECD countries guaranteed investments in new energy production equivalent to approximately USD 100 billion. All of that activity was fossil-fuel based; not a single cent was spent on energy efficiency or renewable energy.
A number of measures are needed in this regard. Without elevating this report and this study to absolute truths, they are nevertheless a good basis for pushing on and tightening up policy in connection with both poverty issues and sustainable development."@en1
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