Devex Newswire: Will far-right forces commandeer European aid?

Europe is heading to the polls next month. What does that mean for development? A whole lot, or not much at all, depending on who you ask.

Also in today’s edition: Can we tax our way out of global warming? And what role can philanthropists and artificial intelligence play in combating climate change?

Euro-n your own, kid

Over 700 seats are up for grabs in the election for the European Parliament in June, when 400 million people will have a say on everything from Europe’s energy policies to its economic priorities.

Also indirectly on the ballot is the world’s third-largest international aid budget, which could be in for a rude awakening if the continent’s anti-aid, anti-migration, far-right populists make a strong showing.

Yet some observers tell my colleague Rob Merrick that European development policy may not change all that much.

Europe has already been moving toward a development policy based more on strategic interests and partnerships than on the traditional “donor-recipient mentality,” according to Tomas Tobé, who chairs the parliament's development committee.

That’s been done via the Global Gateway investment strategy meant to counter China’s Belt and Road project — but criticized for sidelining poverty eradication.

“Other political issues have found their way into development — climate change, migration, the geopolitical interest — and of course some development actors worry. But I would say they need to adapt to a new situation,” Tobé says.

Not everyone agrees. Charles Goerens, the Renew Europe coordinator on the development committee, says parliament needs to gird itself for right-wing attacks.

“If there are reinforcements from far-right parties, that could have a real impact on the make-up of the European Parliament and the outcome could be a more radical position,” he says. “That would be very dangerous for development policy in the future, because it is intended to find solutions to problems in developing countries and not to solve problems in rich countries.”

That would suit Bernhard Zimniok, a member of the right-wing Alternative for Germany, just fine. He predicts: “We will go in the Right direction. The Left will lose and the Right will gain and this will change the politics — they will have to make compromises.”

Read: 'Dangerous' moment for aid policy as EU braces for far-right surge (Pro)

+ Want to learn more about what’s happening to European aid? Wondering why big European donors are slashing their budgets and what the upcoming elections could mean for aid groups? Join our event on May 15 to get expert insights and more. Save your spot now.

A taxing prospect

Given that wealthy countries seem to have an aversion to forking over money to help lower-income countries cope with climate change, perhaps a new paradigm is in order. Maybe it’s time to talk about what no one wants to raise: Taxes.

There’s a growing consensus that the world should at least consider imposing levies on fossil fuel producers, aviation, maritime shipping, and financial transitions to unlock much-needed climate and development cash.

Launched at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, last year and co-chaired by Barbados, France, and Kenya, the international tax task force has committed to assessing the impact of different levies and their political and technical feasibility, writes Devex contributor Chloé Farand. The group is due to present its initial findings at COP 29 in Azerbaijan in November.

It will be an uphill battle, though — raising taxes is akin to kryptonite for most politicians.

Joab Okanda of Christian Aid tells Chloé that any efforts to raise “additional financing that does not add any debt or fiscal constraints to developing countries” was welcome.

But success will boil down to political will, he says. “We have not seen any enthusiasm from the U.S., for example, or the U.K., who are major historical polluters and are supposed to provide much-needed climate finance.”

Read: Push to tax polluters, mega-rich to pay for climate action takes off

Cranking up the heat

Taxing the mega-rich has also been floated as an idea to drum up climate cash. Of course, some of those mega-rich are philanthropists who already give away lots of money — though until recently, climate change wasn’t usually on the receiving end.

But with natural disasters and shifting weather patterns wreaking havoc on much of the world, philanthropy is waking up to the problem, reports Stéphanie Fillion for Devex.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy recently convened a seminar to offer real-life examples of how philanthropic donors — whether individuals or institutions — can best approach climate-related issues and, specifically, how to frame fundraising campaigns to prepare for extreme heat.

One takeaway: Transform the urban landscape while it’s not too late, for instance by building cooling centers in cities or investing in infrastructure with air conditioning.

“We need to be making changes in our built environment and making the societal community resilience changes that we need to prepare for hundreds of years of change, as well as saving lives next summer or this coming summer,” says Braden Kay of the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

Read: 5 ways philanthropy can fund climate crisis preparedness (Pro)

+ Not yet a Devex Pro member? Start your 15-day free trial today to access all our exclusive reporting and analyses, and invite-only events, including this month’s edition of our leader roundtable on May 13 where we’ll explore the growing role of philanthropy in global development.

Jeff d’oeuvre

One billionaire is turning to artificial intelligence to try to solve the climate crisis.

Jeff Bezos’ climate fund is offering $100 million in grants as part of a “grand challenge” to fund artificial intelligence-powered solutions to climate change and nature loss.

“Can modern AI help counter climate change and nature loss, and, if so, how? That’s the question we hope to answer,” Bezos said in a press release.

The bridging of experts across fields is key to that question, Amen Ra Mashariki, director of data strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund, tells Devex Senior Editor Tania Karas. The idea was created “to fund totally new ideas and collaborations, and to match the need with an AI solution.”

Read: Bezos Earth Fund to grant $100M for AI solutions to climate challenges

+ Catch up with our coverage on how AI is getting integrated into globaldev work.

Can AI QA your CV?

AI could hold the key for a multitude of vexing global challenges. It could even help you land your next job. But should it?

Stephanie Mansueto, a career coach and a principal recruiter with Abt Global Inc., says take advantage of the technology — but tread carefully with it.

AI is great for the initial stages of creating a cover letter, résumé, or CV, Mansueto said at a Devex digital careers event on how to organize a job search that really works. Some of the tools on her list include Rezi and Cover Letter Copilot. 

But she warned that AI has its limits.

“AI is still really in its infancy stages for a lot of functions and it's only as good as the information you're putting into it,” she says.

So, when and how should you use AI in job applications? Mansueto explained the benefits, shortcomings, and some popular tools for each stage of the application process.

Read: Dos and don’ts of using AI in job applications (Career)

+ Start your 15-day free trial of a Devex Career Account membership today and unlock all our exclusive career resources and get full access to the world’s largest global development job board.

In other news

Executive Director of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain said she believes there is a "full-blown famine" in northern Gaza. [NBC News]

The United Nations and its partners are aiding East African authorities as the region prepares for more heavy rains and severe flooding, which have claimed over 350 lives since March. [UN News]

Bird flu in U.S. cattle triggered government alarm over potential meat and dairy contamination and cross-species transmission, in a test of disease management advancements put in place following COVID-19. [Financial Times]

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