‘Not a suitable candidate’: climate groups urge OECD not to appoint Mathias Cormann as next head

  • Date: 05-Mar-2021
  • Source: The Guardian
  • Sector:Economy
  • Country:Middle East
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‘Not a suitable candidate’: climate groups urge OECD not to appoint Mathias Cormann as next head

International climate change groups and influential advisers on the global shift from fossil fuels have written to the OECD expressing "grave concerns“ over Australian politician Mathias Cormann's bid to be its next secretary-general.

Former Australian finance minister Cormann's record in a government that "persistently failed to take effective action“ to cut emissions while blocking international action meant he was "not a suitable candidate“, the letter says.

Cormann is one of only two remaining candidates for the top OECD role after two candidates - Swiss banker Philipp Hildebrand and Greek politician Anna Diamantopoulou - withdrew earlier this week.

Corman's move to place climate action at the centre of his campaign has come under sustained criticism from environment groups in Australia who have pointed to the record of the coalition government he was a minister in.

The OECD is expected to name its new secretary-general this month, with Swedish politician and former EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström the only other candidate left standing.

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has promoted Cormann's OECD credentials in calls with international counterparts in recent months.

Among the 29 signatories to the letter are the heads of Greenpeace International, the International Trade Union Confederation, ActionAid International and an umbrella organisation of climate campaign