EDC singled out on fossil fuel finance by international legal opinion
(National Observer, Vancouver, 5 May 2021) EDC's financial support to the oil and gas sector came under scrutiny Tuesday as part of a new legal opinion outlining Canada’s obligations in responding to the climate crisis. The legal opinion from London says governments must take steps to stop their export credit agencies from providing financial help to oil and gas projects worldwide. EDC provided over $8 billion in support last year to the oil and gas sector, it has confirmed, and over $10 billion the year before. EDC says it operates at arm's length from the government, that it has cut down on its lending portfolio’s exposure to high-carbon sectors in recent years, and complies with all the OECD climate-related policies. Viñuales and Cook’s legal opinion explicitly singles out EDC as representing the largest supporter among G20 export credit agencies of fossil fuels during the 2016-18 period. EDC’s climate change policy — and some criticism levied against it related to oil and gas — is also highlighted.