World Bank President David Malpass won't resign despite criticism of his climate views

Criticism against David Malpass is that when asked about climate change and whether the burning of fossil fuels caused it, the World Bank President did not answer directly and instead avoided the question by replying that he was not a scientist. This reply created a social media uproar that he has attempted to address. On Friday, he addressed the question of climate change by acknowledging that greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity are causing and adding to climate change.

He announced that the governments of countries worldwide who are the bank's shareholders have not asked for him to step down.

Response to Al Gore

He also admitted that he did not do his “best job” when he responded to the comment by Al Gore, who is recorded as referring to him as a “climate denier” on Tuesday.

He said that when Al Gore asked if he was a climate denier, he should have responded with a clear “No”. He reiterated that the question was off-topic at a seminar meant to talk about policy impact. Malpass emphasized that the World Bank is addressing climate change forcefully.

FAQ

1. Why did the comments made by Malpass attract so much attention?
   Since the President of the United States is the bank’s largest shareholder, it is customary for the chief of the bank to be nominated by the US President. Malpass was nominated to his post by Donald Trump. The Trump administration frequently went against international efforts to reduce carbon emissions, which is the opposite of the policy of the current Biden administration.

1. What is the US position on the comments made?
   The Treasury Department spokesman Michael Kikukawa said that the US expects the World Bank to be a leader in addressing climate change and helping climate finance fund developing countries. He also said that the US has made and will continue to make its expectations of the World Bank leadership clear.