Reps. George Whitesides, Sean Casten, and Mike Levin Introduce Bill to Provide Climate Finance to Countries in the Global South While Reducing Debt

Today, Reps. George Whitesides, Sean Casten, and Mike Levin introduced the Global Climate Resilience Act, legislation that would create a new debt-for-resilience program to improve the United States' ability to provide climate finance and debt relief to countries in the Global South. This new program would enhance the United States' ability to negotiate debt reductions with countries in the Global South that agree to undertake climate resilience initiatives. Rep. Whitesides' legislation also directs the United States to use its influence with international financial institutions to promote debt reduction for nations at risk of climate damage and advocate for an international climate insurance program. Senators Peter Welch (VT) and Andy Kim (NJ) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

"I've seen the extreme financial impact that natural disasters like wildfires have on my community and state, and that problem exists at scale across the globe," said Rep. Whitesides. "The Global Climate Resilience Act asserts U.S. leadership in combating climate change, while also addressing widespread debt by creating better pathways for countries in the Global South to invest in resilience measures for natural disasters. By making it easier for countries with developing economies to implement climate resilience initiatives, we can help facilitate a global effort to combat climate change with more nations and international organizations."

"Climate change is a global crisis that demands a global response," said Rep. Casten. "The United States has a responsibility to help lead the way towards innovative financial solutions. I'm proud to support this legislation that strengthens climate resilience, supports our own national security, and advances a safer, more secure, and more prosperous future for communities across the Global South."

"The science is clear: disasters are more intense, sea levels are rising, and climate change is accelerating. Combating these global challenges demands global cooperation," said Rep. Levin. "Our Global Climate Resilience Act helps the world's most vulnerable communities protect against the worst effects of climate change. By addressing root causes of poverty, disease, and migration around the world, our bill helps keep Americans safer, healthier, and more secure."

"This House bill and its Senate companion directly respond to calls from the Global South to address two of its most pressing challenges: relieving crushing debt burdens and bolstering life-saving resilience efforts," said Brenden Guy, Senior Director of International Climate at the Natural Resource Defense Council. "The climate crisis has eliminated 20% of the wealth of the most vulnerable countries in the world over the last two decades. And make no mistake, this is not charity: it's a strategic investment in building global resilience that will also keep Americans safer and supply chains more secure from climate-fueled disasters that drive up prices. The bill advances much-needed solutions to build greater global resilience and prosperity that Congress should get behind."

"One of the biggest barriers to enacting climate action on a global scale is resourcing communities that have been extracted from for generations that want to transition to the clean energy economy but have been let down by Countries failing to meet their commitments to help in this transition," said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. "Oil Companies then fill this gap as primary energy suppliers and continue the cycle of extracting and polluting communities. This bill promises to take a step in the right direction to help communities looking to invest in the health and sustainability of their nation, and global health as a whole."

"If the United States wants to reclaim its leadership role in addressing the myriad global challenges of the climate crisis, we must truly lead from the front," said Davis Bates, League of Conservation Voters' Congressional Champions Campaign Director. "We must not simply renew our previous commitments to international agreements. We also need to support and empower countries around the world to adapt to increasingly disastrous extreme weather and build financial and structural climate resiliency for the future - especially for countries least responsible for the pollution fueling climate change but are most impacted."

"Countries on the frontlines of climate change, including small island states, shouldn't have to choose between paying down debt and protecting their communities and ecosystems," saidDan Whittle, Associate Vice President, Resilient Caribbean, Environmental Defense Fund. "The Global Climate Resilience Act points to a smarter path, linking debt relief with investments that build resilience and stability. This is the kind of climate finance the moment demands."

Just last year, the Global South was devastated by floods and cyclones in South and Southeast Asia, hurricanes in the Caribbean, extreme heat waves in Middle East and Northern Africa, and rising sea levels which are beginning to submerge small Pacific Islands countries. While some nations have the resources necessary to adapt to the effects of climate change, countries with developing economies often lack resources to meet challenges of a warming world. For many countries in the Global South, this creates a vicious cycle where funds from economic growth service debt from a climate event instead of building resilience.

Collective international action to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience are crucial to combatting the growing impacts of climate change. At the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COPs), global leaders recognized the need to provide climate financing to countries in the Global South. The United States must take further action to help at-risk countries reduce their debt.

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