Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what environmental impact assessments his Department has made in relation to fossil fuel extraction projects financed by the Private Infrastructure Development Group.

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) does not have any active fossil fuel extraction projects, and PIDG’s strategy rules out any investing in coal. In 2004, PIDG did provide one-off funding of $500,000 (£273,000) for technical assistance to the Government of Mozambique on the feasibility of establishing a coal mine in the town of Moatize in Mozambique. However, no follow-on funding was provided to support this project. PIDG is also not able to invest in the exploration, extraction or refining of oil, natural gas or liquid petroleum gas.

PIDG conducts an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on all projects before approving any investment. Each investment must comply with PIDG’s Environment, Social, Health and Safety standards, which are based on the internationally recognised International Finance Corporation Environment and Social Performance Standards. DFID monitors compliance with these policies as part of its ongoing role as a PIDG Owner.