Recourse

Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026: Energy transition for people, not for profit!

This year’s ACEF, led by the Asian Development Bank, is about “building secure, resilient, inclusive and intelligent energy systems”.

Communities across Asia facing the everyday impacts of soaring energy costs, debt and climate change need these words to translate into action.

• Secure energy systems start with renewables and bring local benefits

• Resilient energy systems require community ownership and strong safeguards to prevent harm

• Inclusive energy systems are built on consultation so affected people have a real voice in decision making

• Intelligent energy systems need investment in local knowledge and skills (not only infrastructure) so people can maintain and benefit from them in the long term

With NGO Forum on ADB, Coalition for Human Rights in Development, and civil society groups from across Asia, we’re at calling on the ADB to ditch fossil fuels and false solutions, and prioritise people-led renewable systems over profit-driven models.

How development is financed, who bears risk, and whether climate considerations are embedded in economic decision making are questions that shape climate and development outcomes worldwide.

In 2025, Recourse engaged the IMF, scrutinised climate finance governance, and advocated for reforms to the international financial system. Through submissions, advocacy, convenings, and analysis, we pushed for stronger climate integration in global financial governance and challenged approaches that continue to fall short of climate justice.

⬇️ 🌱 Read more in our Annual Report 2025 in the first comment.

⚡ One week before , communities across Asia are still paying the price of an energy crisis they did not create.

💸 Rising electricity costs. 🌪️ Escalating climate impacts. ⛽ Continued dependence on imported fossil fuels. Yet Asian Development Bank continues to leave the door open to fossil gas and other fossil fuel support while promoting a so-called energy transition.

❓As ACEF 2026 approaches, the question is simple: will ADB address the root causes of the crisis—or repackage business-as-usual as transition?

📢 Over the next week, we'll unpack the issues, expose the gaps, and amplify community demands.

👀 Watch this page as we count down to ACEF 2026.

As development finance institutions expand private finance and blended finance approaches, accountability and public interest must remain central.

Across many African countries, rising debt pressures continue to constrain public investment, climate resilience and independent development pathways.

We are calling for:
💸 Grant-based and concessional public finance
📢 Greater transparency in private sector operations
⚖️ Rights-based and accountable development finance
🌍 Economic diversification and long-term resilience

Development finance should support equitable and climate-resilient futures, not deepen debt distress and extractive dependence.

A just transition cannot be built on fossil gas expansion.

Recent AfDB financing decisions risk undermining climate commitments and long-term energy transition goals across the continent.

Development finance should:
⛔ Exclude fossil gas and LNG financing
⚡ Prioritise sustainable renewable energy systems
🛡️ Strengthen environmental and social safeguards
🌍 Support equitable and rights-based energy access

Mission 300 should accelerate access to sustainable energy, not reinforce fossil fuel dependence or false solutions.

💧 Are MDBs backing a truly just energy transition?

In our 2025 Annual Report, we reflect on Recourse’s work to challenge fossil fuel lock-in and push for financing for renewable energy systems that are community-centred, accountable, and accessible.

Throughout the year, we monitored MDB clean energy finance, contributed to Mission 300 and the ADB Energy Policy review, and continued challenging “false solutions” promoted under the banner of climate finance and transition.

Our partner Karabo Mokgonyana from Power Shift Africa shared: “By centring communities and pushing for greater accountability in public finance, our joint efforts have helped amplify the call for renewable energy systems in Africa that are not only sustainable, but equitable and inclusive.”

📎 Read the full story in our Annual Report 2025 in our first comment.

Energy access must be people-centred, equitable and community-led.

Decentralised renewable energy remains one of the fastest and most effective ways to close Africa’s energy access gap, yet it continues to receive limited support within AfDB financing.

As Mission 300 moves forward, development finance should prioritise:
⚡ Decentralised renewable energy systems
🤝 Meaningful civil society participation
🌍 Equitable benefits across African value chains
🛡️ Community rights and responsible minerals governance

A just transition must ensure renewable energy investments benefit local communities and strengthen long-term resilience.

This week, Recourse is joining partners and civil society organisations at the African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

As the AfDB advances initiatives such as Mission 300 and shapes energy and development financing across the continent, these meetings are an important moment to push for equitable renewable energy access, stronger safeguards and accountable development finance.

Throughout the week, we will be sharing key messages on:
⚡ Decentralised renewable energy and energy access
⛔ Fossil gas and false solutions
🛡️ Safeguards and accountability
💸 Debt, private finance and economic diversification

Together with partners including Power Shift Africa, African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD), Christian Aid, The Big Shift Global, and CHRD, we are calling for development finance that supports communities, rights and a just transition across Africa.

📎 Read our briefing in the first comment.

🛡️ In our Annual Report 2025, we reflect on a year of advocacy to strengthen safeguards and secure access to remedy amid growing pressure on international financial institutions to weaken accountability standards and mechanisms.

Throughout 2025, Recourse supported advocacy and community-led campaigns linked to coal projects in the Philippines and Indonesia, the Pathivara cable car project in Nepal, the Bhola gas plant in Bangladesh, lithium extraction in Argentina, Reko Diq copper mine in Pakistan, and many more.

We also convened 200+ civil society organisations to engage in the IFC Sustainability Framework review process.

Our partner Prabindra Shakya Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy shared: “We look forward to sustaining our collaboration with Recourse to push the IFC for similar dedicated engagement with Indigenous Peoples.”

Read the full story in our Annual Report 2025 in our first comment ↓

🕰️ Tomorrow: join our webinar on how IMF programmes are shaping climate and development policy across the Global South!

Speakers from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Kenya, Senegal and Zambia will share perspectives on debt, austerity, climate finance and grassroots resistance to IMF-driven reforms.

This conversation is for climate advocates, civil society groups, researchers and anyone interested in the intersection of finance and climate justice.

⏰ Tuesday 19 May, 7am MX / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST / 4pm EAT / 6:30pm IST

Register here: 🔗 https://imf-climate.org/webinars/

Join our webinar on 19 May:
IMF country cases – greenwashed austerity, grassroots resistance ✊️

A panel of experts and advocates will share first-hand insights into the IMF's impacts on climate and development policy in Bangladesh, Ecuador, Kenya, Senegal and Zambia, and provide important lessons for activists mobilising against IMF-imposed austerity.

This webinar is for you if you:
• Are from one of these countries and want to know more about how the IMF’s presence has impacted your climate resilience;
• Are a climate advocate in a country that is considering an IMF loan, who wants to better understand the institution and its potential consequences;
• Are seeking practical insights from experienced advocates on how to challenge the IMF in different contexts.

See you there!
📌 7am MX / 9am EDT / 3pm CEST / 4pm EAT / 6:30pm IST
🔗 Registration link in the first comment