DBS Bank To Stop Funding ‘Dirty-Coal’ Power Projects By Year End

DBS Bank To Stop Funding ‘Dirty-Coal’ Power Projects By Year End

The DBS bank will stop financing ‘dirty-coal’ or low-grade coal projects by the end of this year, but continue to support ventures in emerging markets that uses higher-quality coal, a top bank official has said.

The Singapore-headquartered bank, which is rated among the largest in Asia, will also focus on funding renewable energy projects, Chief Executive Piyush Gupta said.

At a DBS financial results briefing yesterday, bank’s he said that the bank will stop financing projects that burn low-grade coal, also known as “dirty coal”, by the end of the year.

But, he was quick to assure that the DBS will continue to lend to projects in emerging markets that burn “higher quality” coal, at the same time start developing a portfolio of renewable energy projects to shift the mix of its loans. Read More…