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World Bank President David Malpass said he would not resign due to criticism for his remarks on climate change earlier this week.
When asked at an event sponsored by The New York Times on Tuesday whether the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to global warming, Malpass did not answer directly.
Instead, he said, “I’m not a scientist.”
In an interview with Politico on Friday, Mr Malpass said he would not resign and that he had not been asked to do so by any of the bank’s member governments.
He admitted he should have done better in answering questions on Tuesday, when he was asked to answer allegations earlier in the day by former Vice President Al Gore that he was a “climate denier.”
“When asked, ‘Are you a climate denier?’ I should say no,” he said.
Mr Malpass also said the World Bank was taking a “strong leadership” stance on the climate issue.
“It is clear that greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are contributing to climate change,” Mr Malpass said in the interview on Friday.
“So our task, and that of the world, is to bring together projects and funding that actually makes an impact.”
Mr Malpass was nominated for the position by former President Donald Trump in 2019, with a long tradition of allowing the US to choose the president of the World Bank and European governments to choose the head of the International Monetary Fund.
His five-year term ends in April 2024.
White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said Friday that the Biden administration disagrees with Malpass’ remarks that climate change is not caused by human activity.
Ms Jean-Pierre did not say whether the government would seek to remove Mr Malpass, as that would require approval from other members of the World Bank.
Ms Jean-Pierre said the Treasury Department “will hold Malpass accountable” and “support the many World Bank staff working on climate change.
“But again, removal will require the majority of stakeholders.”
Environmentalists have urged Mr Malpass to be ousted if necessary.
“Climate denialism has no place in a world where millions have been ravaged by this crisis,” said Johanna Chao Kreilick, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
“Malpas should be replaced immediately.”
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