In Las Vega$ yesterday, Citibank Mucky Muck and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin showed up at the National Clean Energy Summit to give a keynote speech on our floundering economy and how a good energy policy can help alleviate the problems.
The only problem was that Citi is not the best representative of a true clean energy economy. They fund twice the amount of coal as their next closest competitor. The biggest funder of coal from the cradle to the grave etc etc. you hear me say it all the time.
But after his greenwash friendly speech, Mr. Rubin opted to take few questions.
Bad move. In the audience, Rainforest Action Network’s Global Finance Campaign Director, Rebecca Tarbotton asked the first question.
“How do you reconcile that Citi is the largest funder of coal plants around the world?“
And Rubin, the very solid one-time master of the universe, stuttered and looked completely exposed.
“It’s a commercial institution. We have to have energy.” He then spun on about Citi’s efforts to raise standards and create a new regime and blah blah. According to David Roberts at Grist, it did not look good.
She then followed up with- “Can we expect to see a quick drop-off in Citi’s investments in coal?“
Rubin replied “No.“
More questions pressed Rubin on similar issues.
I guess the corporations think if they talk green they will be in safe spaces. Obviously not.
wow he walked right into that one huh?
well played.