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Articles by Lidy Nacpil
Squeezed by debts and disasters, the Global South needs reparations, not more loans
A s Thailand tallies the wreckage of catastrophic floods, the architects of global finance are convening in its capital. Finance ministers, central bankers and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group this week.
Global South deserves better
A circular display bearing the logo of the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok on Friday. Chanakarn LAOSARAKHAM / AFP As Thailand counts the cost of devastating floods, the world's most powerful financial institutions are gathering in the capital. Finance ministers, central bankers and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that will run from today until Sunday.
Squeezed by debt and disasters, the Global South needs reparations, not more loans
As Thailand counts the cost of devastating floods, the world’s most powerful financial institutions are gathering in the capital. Finance ministers, central bankers, and delegates have arrived for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
Nepal floods obliterate final excuses for climate inaction
W hen 110 million cubic meters of rock and ice tore from the slopes of Langtang Lirung in late August, the resulting 180-kilometer-per-hour wall of freezing mud did more than destroy settlements along Nepal’s Trishuli River and take thousands of lives. It laid bare the devastating human cost of continued global climate inaction, and brought into sharp focus the questions of responsibility, accountability and reparations for climate destruction.
Nepal floods show climate risk
People stand on the high ground of Devighat in Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot, in the aftermath of the flash flood in Nepal on Aug 27. (Photo: Australian Associated Press) When 110 million cubic metres of rock and ice tore from the slopes of Langtang Lirung in late August, the resulting 110-mph wall of freezing mud did more than destroy settlements along Nepal's Trishuli River and take thousands of lives.
Framing the climate science debate as a binary battle isn’t just wrong – it’s dangerous
Lidy Nacpil is the coordinator of Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). Recent reporting on international climate negotiations has highlighted a sharpening divide within civil society and multilateral diplomacy. A troubling, simplistic narrative has taken root: that the UN climate process is witnessing a binary struggle between defenders of science and those attacking it. This framing is not only inaccurate; it is dangerous.
Silence at UN tax talks a no-go
As Thailand pursues accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and seeks to cement its leadership role among emerging economies, the nation faces a crucial strategic test.
Why the Philippines must fight for global tax justice at the UN
The Philippine government took a noteworthy step recently as the Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officially began drafting the legislative and administrative framework to implement the Global Minimum Tax (GMT).
Why Asia must fight for global tax justice at the UN
Developing countries across Asia are caught in a brutal squeeze between compounding sovereign debt, devastating climate impacts, and chronically underfunded public infrastructure. Yet every day, vital national wealth steadily leaks out of the region through corporate profit shifting and private offshore tax avoidance. Cross-border tax abuse strips more than US$480 billion from public accounts worldwide every year. This is a loss exceeding US$1 billion every single day.
Santa Marta must confront the fossil fuel profit machine
As governments gather in Santa Marta this week to map out a “just, orderly and equitable” transition away from fossil fuels, the world is already being pulled in the opposite direction. Conflict in the Middle East - initiated by the US and Israel - is driving up oil and gas prices, with the effects moving rapidly through global markets. Europe - still weakened by the last fossil fuel crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - faces another round of rising energy costs.
[OPINION] Why Malacañang is wrong about the wealth tax
In a recent Palace briefing, Communications Secretary Claire Castro, echoing Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, described a wealth tax as an “economist’s dream” while simultaneously cautioning that it might trigger capital flight. The argument that taxing the ultra-rich will cause them to pack their bags and their billions is the standard bogeyman hauled out to discourage progressive taxation and maintain the status quo.
Middle East crisis increases Southeast Asia's coal risk
The escalating instability in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing Southeast Asian nations into a precarious position. While the region has made significant pledges to transition toward renewables, the threat of interrupted gas supplies and surging LNG prices is creating a dangerous incentive to prioritise immediate energy security over long-term climate goals.
Middle East crisis increases Southeast Asia's coal risk
Lidy Nacpil is the coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). The escalating instability in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing Southeast Asian nations into a precarious position. While the region has made significant pledges to transition toward renewables, the threat of interrupted gas supplies and surging LNG prices is creating a dangerous incentive to prioritise immediate energy security over long-term climate goals.
A message from Islamabad to New York: The demand for tax justice is an unstoppable global tide
This week, as the United Nations holds the fourth substantive session of negotiations for a Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (or UN Tax Convention) in New York, we should look at a historic legal breakthrough in South Asia that breathes life into the global movement for tax justice.
At COP30, Progress on Public Finance Is Critical for a Fair Fossil Fuel Phaseout | Common Dreams
At COP28 in Dubai, countries finally agreed to transition away from fossil fuels. That pledge signaled the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. But words alone won’t cool the planet, and in the years since, fossil fuel production has only continued to rise, driven primarily by rich countries. As ministers arrive in Belém for the final COP30 sprint, the world must move from words to action.
Lidy Nacpil
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Plot twist in Asia's energy story
Renewable Energy: A plot twist waiting to happen in Asia's quest for energy security A woman collects water from a tap at home before the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon, Indonesia, in this file photo dated Sept 14, 2020. ADITYA AJI / AFP Asia's energy story is one of persistent energy poverty, while communities grapple with the health, climate, and economic impacts of fossil fuels. The rise of renewables may prove to be a transformative plot twist in the making.
A plot twist waiting to happen in Asia's quest for energy security
Asia’s energy story is one of persistent energy poverty while communities grapple with the health, climate, and economic impacts of fossil fuels. The rise of renewables may prove to be a transformative plot twist in the making. Asia’s shift to renewable energy is already underway, and progressing faster than many realize.
Developing nations must continue to demand climate finance in defiance of the COP29 outcome
STOCK PHOTO | Image by In November 2024, the annual climate conference in Baku ended with a railroaded climate finance deal that has been widely condemned as inadequate and unjust. The new deal, $300 billion per year by 2035, fell far short of the multiple trillions of public finances needed to build renewable energy capacity, phase out fossil fuels, adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis, address loss and damage, and ensure a just transition.
Asia’s coal reckoning: Powering the future
As the world races to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, Asia stands at a crossroads. It must now choose between delaying the transition out of its coal-fired power fleets—still the main fuel for Asia’s economies—or rapidly shifting to renewables for a sustainable future. Asia is home to the world’s largest concentration of coal-fired power plants. There are over 2,000 operational coal plants in Asia, accounting for 78 percent of the global capacity of coal-fired power plants.
Asia’s coal reckoning: Powering the future
As the world races to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, Asia stands at a crossroads. It must now choose between delaying the transition out of its coal-fired power fleets—still the main fuel for Asia’s economies—or rapidly shifting to renewables for a sustainable future. Asia is home to the world’s largest concentration of coal-fired power plants. There are over 2,000 operational coal plants in Asia, accounting for 78 percent of the global capacity of coal-fired power plants.
Asia’s coal reckoning: Can it shut down the past to power the future?
A s the world races to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, Asia stands at a crossroads. It must now choose between delaying the transition from coal, which is still the main fuel for Asia’s economies, or rapidly shifting to renewables for a sustainable future. Asia is home to the world's largest concentration of coal-fired power plants. There are over 2,000 operational coal plants in the region, accounting for 78 percent of the global capacity of coal power plants.
Japan’s push for fossil fuels
Japan is among the world’s largest funders of fossil fuel projects and is keen on expanding its vast network of energy plants alongside its maze of pipelines that crisscross Asia and the world. From 2020 to 2022 it funded around $6.9 billion on average each year in coal, gas, and oil projects around the world.
How Japan derails the energy transition in PH and Bangladesh
JAPAN is one of the world's largest funders of fossil fuel projects worldwide and is keen on expanding its vast network of energy plants alongside its maze of pipelines that crisscross Asia and the world. From 2020 to 2022, it funded around $6.9 billion on average each year in coal, gas and oil projects around the world. This dwarfs in comparison to the $2.3 billion they invest each year in renewable energy.
Peoples’ tribunal to hold World Bank and IMF accountable
IN A world wracked by multiple crises, two leading financial institutions — the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank — stand out for their key roles in driving inequality, impoverishment and deprivation over the last 80 years. They find cause to celebrate in their forthcoming annual meetings in Washington, DC. But not for millions in the Global South who have borne the brunt of the impacts of their lending and the neoliberal policies they have been aggressively promoting.
Big polluters owe Global South $5 trillion a year
The superstorms, floods, and heat waves of 2024 have been deadly for people and communities worldwide. Losses and damages have been especially heavy for us in the Global South, who are most endangered by the climate crisis despite contributing the least to global emissions. We urge the world’s leading historical emitters to pay the Global South at least $5 trillion a year in climate finance as part of the reparations for the chaos they’ve unleashed on the world’s most vulnerable people.
Why The Global South Is Owed $5 Trillion In Climate Reparations
The superstorms, floods, and heat waves of 2024 have been deadly for people and communities worldwide. Losses and damages have been hefty for those living in the Global South, which is most endangered by the climate crisis despite contributing the least to global emissions. The world’s leading historical emitters must pay the Global South at least $5 trillion a year in climate finance as part of the reparations for the chaos they have unleashed on the world’s most vulnerable people.
The demise of coal, as it turns out, is a lot of gas
Lidy Nacpil is coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). A few years ago, the world was on a path to ending coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and the single biggest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. Active and sustained campaigning brought coal closer to the point of death and the world to a coal-free future. Several developments made this evident.
The Death Of Coal Is A Lot Of Gas
A few years ago, the world was on to path to ending coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and the single biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. Active and sustained campaigning had brought coal closer to the point of death and the world to a coal-free future. Several developments made over the past few decades provides the evidence for this. First is the shrinking of the pipeline for new coal and the shutting down of hundreds of coal projects across the globe.
ADB has a chance to get the ‘do no harm’ principle right
MANILA, Philippines — The board of directors of the Asian Development Bank is currently reviewing the draft of a proposed environmental and social framework, which outlines new operational policies to better address environmental and social risks in ADB projects. This proposed ESF seeks to update ADB’s 15-year-old safeguard policy statement (SPS) to ensure the relevance of its safeguards to changing needs and context in developing member countries.
ADB has a chance to get the
The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently reviewing the draft of a proposed Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), which outlines new operational policies to better address environmental and social risks in ADB projects. This proposed ESF seeks to update ADB's 15-year old Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) to ensure the relevance of its safeguards to changing needs and context in developing member countries.
ADB has a chance to get the “do no harm” principle right with stronger safeguards policy
The Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently reviewing the draft of a proposed Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), which outlines new operational policies to better address environmental and social risks in ADB projects. This proposed ESF seeks to update ADB’s 15-year old Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) to ensure the relevance of its safeguards to changing needs and context in developing member countries.
Gas ambitions put Asia's electricity affordability at risk
While Japan’s domestic demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is projected to drop , Japan will remain the biggest gas proponent in Asia – investing heavily in the midstream and downstream gas sector despite climate, regulatory, and financial concerns. As the world’s second-largest importer of LNG in 2023, Japan has leveraged its market position to secure long-term contracts and manage steady supply of this energy source.
Phase out coal in all of Asia by 2035 in order to transition to clean energy
From 3 to 7 June this year, clean energy experts, practitioners, policymakers, implementers and financiers will gather in Manila for the annual Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF). Organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ACEF is regarded as a premiere clean energy event for discussing how to accelerate progress to build a clean energy future for Asia and the Pacific region.
Phase out coal in all of Asia by 2035 in order to transition to clean energy
Researchers developing supercapacitor that could fully charge an iPhone in just 60 seconds Researchers claim to have ‘found the missing link’ as they pave the way for a supercapacitor that can charge an iPhone in a mere 60 seconds. Per the …
[OPINION] Clear timelines needed for phaseout of fossil fuels
This June 3-7, clean energy experts, practitioners, policymakers, implementers and financiers will gather in Manila for the annual Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF). Organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ACEF is regarded as a premiere clean energy event for discussing how to accelerate progress to build a clean energy future for Asia and the Pacific region.
Fossil fuel debts are illegitimate and must be cancelled
Lidy Nacpil is coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). Many countries in the Global South are burdened with huge public debts. These rising debts are a drain on public resources that are urgently needed for sustainable development programmes, and further pressure Southern governments to prioritise debt service over climate actions.
[OPINION] Fossil fuel debts are illegitimate and must be cancelled
Many countries in the Global South are burdened with huge public debts. These rising debts are a drain to public resources that are urgently needed for sustainable development programs, and further pressure Southern governments to prioritize debt service over climate actions. Global South countries allocate more funds for debt service – 65% in lower income countries and 14% in lower-middle-income countries – than the combined budgetary spending for education, health, and social protection.
What Biden’s LNG Export ‘Pause’ Really Means for Asia | Opinion
The Biden administration has just made one of the most significant decisions on fossil fuels in recent years: pausing new approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The world’s largest LNG exporter will now have to reassess how new LNG export terminals — including those currently pending review — may impact climate change when approving permits for new projects.
Action for climate justice
Civil society groups in the Philippines are preparing mobilizations in key cities today as part of more than 300 global to demand urgent climate action while governments are meeting at the 28th Conference of Parties or COP28 in Dubai. Thousands of members of grassroots movements, faith-based groups, non-government organizations and multi-sectoral alliances will converge in Quezon City. Simultaneous actions will also be held in at least 55 areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
[OPINION] US, biggest bully and blocker of climate action
The US was notably absent at the recent United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit. With two months left until the global climate talks called COP28, the summit was an important space for world leaders to bring their ambitious and concrete plans to fight climate change.
Why I think the US is the biggest bully and blocker of climate action
United States President Joe Biden was notably absent at the recent United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit on 20 September held in New York. With two months left until the global climate talks called COP28, the summit was an important space for world leaders to bring their ambitious and concrete plans to fight climate change.
The Debt Trap and the interlinked Crises
We continue to witness country after country from the Global South falling victim to the ‘debt trap’ and inability to repay foreign loans. People in these countries bear the multiple burdens of indirect taxation as governments failing to repay debts and interests to powerful governments pass the responsibility on to unwitting people through indirect taxes and cuts on subsidies on health and education that further impoverish an already oppressed mass.
‘Climate Finance vital to energy transition’
By Lidy Nacpil We have a right not just to survive but to build a better home and future for We have a right not just to survive but to build a better home and future for our children Last Sunday, we took part in the historic climate march in New York and added our voices to the urgent call to end fossil fuels.
Southeast Asia must not let Japan hijack its energy transition
When Southeast Asian leaders gather in Jakarta this week, they’ll face air so polluted from cars and coal plants that the city was recently labelled the world’s most polluted city. The leaders will convene for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit following a once-in-200-year heatwave that shut down schools and led to widespread hospitalizations across the region.
Fossil fuel phaseout can no longer be delayed
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Commentary Climate change is wreaking havoc on the planet. Millions of people across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America are now suffering from a spate of heat waves caused by record-high temperatures. This extreme heat wave is predicted to continue, leading to more wildfires and other catastrophic consequences.
[OPINION] Asia’s gas expansion will not solve the climate and energy crises
'We need locally-available energy supply that moves our countries away from reliance on energy imports and is not subject to fluctuations in global markets, supply disruptions, and geopolitics' Governments and fossil fuel companies have been pushing the expansion of gas energy as a solution to the energy crisis and energy poverty, and justifying gas as a transition fuel out of coal.
Rich nations can afford to pay fair share to fix global crises
There is still a struggle ahead to ensure that rich nations fill this new fund with anything near their fair share of what is needed to respond to climate disasters. What is not in question is whether they can afford to. Fossil fuel wealth Wealthy governments control international financial systems and their domestic economies. We saw them make trillions of dollars in fiscal space available for bank bailouts in 2008 and for COVID-19 responses since 2020.
Africa: COP27 - The Thorny Road to Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt — The 27th Conference Of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change comes at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges due to the magnitude and the interconnected nature of our multiple structural crises. The world's average temperature is now at 1,1℃. For many years now, we have been experiencing irreversible damage to the planet, and the loss of homelands, cultures, ecosystems, on a daily basis.
COP27: The Thorny Road to Sharm El Sheikh
Climate Action, Climate Change, Editors' Choice, Featured, Global, Headlines, Humanitarian Emergencies, Poverty & SDGs, TerraViva United Nations Opinion Reprint | | Print | SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov 7 2022 (IPS) - The 27th Conference Of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change comes at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges due to the magnitude and the interconnected nature of our multiple structural crises. The world’s average temperature is now at 1,1℃.
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