Politicization of the EIB’s Climate Finance

Abstract

Presenter: Ruyuan Liu This paper investigates whether the European Investment Bank (EIB) pursues political objectives, particularly in relation to the EU's climate ambitions. The study examines the alignment between the EIB's climate roadmap and the European Union (EU) Green Deal using natural language processing techniques. It also explores the EIB's relationship with other multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international agreements. The research employs a conceptual framework for politicization and incorporates interviews with EIB experts and officials from third-party countries. Findings suggest that the EIB does indeed carry out EU priorities in its projects, especially concerning environmental policies, while maintaining alignment with EU mandates. Third-party countries express concerns about the political aims of the EIB and other MDBs. The study also reveals that the EIB retains significant autonomy in project implementation. Overall, the research provides insights into the complex role of the EIB as both a financial institution and a potential instrument of EU policy objectives.