"WASHINGTON - World Bank President David Malpass defended the institution's commitment to tackling climate change on Tuesday, telling civil society groups that have criticized his leadership on the issue that the bank is focused on global warming.

"We are clearly prioritizing climate," Malpass told a town hall held during the World Bank Group's annual meetings, responding to several questions about the World Bank's climate change work.

The World Bank spent a record $31.7 billion on climate-related investments, exceeding its goal of dedicating 35% of its investments to climate co-benefits, he added.

The World Bank chief has spent the last few weeks on the defensive about the Bank's and his own record on climate change after remarks at a public appearance rekindled critics' concerns the financial institution was not responding to the climate crisis."

Valerie Volcovici reports for Reuters October 11, 2022. [2]