WBG—World Bank GroupEstablished in 1944 at the Bretton Woods summit the World Bank Group is based in Washington D.C. with some 10,000 staff, 30 per cent of which are based in more than 100 country offices. The current president is Robert Zoellick who was appointed in 2007. The World Bank Group is made up of five organisations: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); International Development Association (IDA); International Finance Corporation (IFC); Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). read more background... BriefingsThe World Bank's new energy strategy An overdue rethinkAs the World Bank prepares to revise its energy strategy, Oliver Johnson of the Sussex Energy Group (Science and Technology Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex), reviews the Bank's chequered history in this sector. The conflicting agendas for energy are drawn out, and principles suggested to guide the Bank's support for low-carbon development. read article... The role of the World Bank in climate financeThe World Bank currently plays four different roles in arrangements to distribute finance for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in developing countries. In addition, its overall lending portfolio can have significant environmental impacts. read article... Helping farmers weather risks? Assessing the World Bank's work on index insuranceThe World Bank has published several papers on its pilot programmes for index-related insurance in developing countries to hedge against weather-related risks. They vary from support for local insurance companies to weather derivatives sold in international financial markets. According the Bank, private insurance should be seen as supplemental to public intervention and other forms of support such as cooperatives. A September briefing from the Bretton Woods Project, however, faults the Bank for failing to assess the broader implications of partly relying on private insurance and unregulated international financial markets to manage weather risks. read article... Items 1 to 10 of 1535IFIwatch.tv and Bretton Woods Project website support (Volunteer 2-3 days)The Bretton Woods Project is seeking a volunteer to offer technical support and bring in fresh ideas to develop the media aggregation and sharing functions of two websites that turn a critical eye towards the actions of international financial institutions: IFIWatch.TV and rethinkingfinance.org. The deadline for submissions is Mon 18 Jan 2009. read article... The World Bank and climate negotiations: updates from CopenhagenNews and analysis from in and around the UN climate talks in Copenhagen - frequently updated. read article... Don't bank on it! Challenging the World Bank's role in future climate financeDespite a superficial 'climate makeover', UK civil society organisations conclude that the World Bank is still a long way from operating in transparent, participatory and accountable ways, or lending upon a truly green portfolio, and therefore should not be trusted with the world's climate funds. Furthermore, the form and functions of a climate finance institution should first be defined and criteria should be established for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) parties to make decisions against and choose or create an appropriate institution. read article... Expanding global cooperation on climate justiceMary Robinson and Alice M Miller outline how a human rights framework should be an essential tool in designing strategies, programmes and institutions to help nations mitigate and adapt to climate change. They focus on institutional issues including the role played by the World Bank and highlight reforms needed. Finally they call for building stronger bridges between human rights and development, and between those working on social justice and environmental justice. read article... The World Bank's new energy strategy An overdue rethinkAs the World Bank prepares to revise its energy strategy, Oliver Johnson of the Sussex Energy Group (Science and Technology Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex), reviews the Bank's chequered history in this sector. The conflicting agendas for energy are drawn out, and principles suggested to guide the Bank's support for low-carbon development. read article... Please nominate 2009 best Bankspeak and resourcesContinuing a much-heralded tradition at the Bretton Woods Project, the first issue of 2010 will feature 'Bankspeak of the year' and 'resources of the year'. read article... Destructive development: A case of ecological debt in Bangladesh'Development' has become synonymous with destruction in Bangladesh as many of the so-called development projects, financed mainly by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), have huge negative impacts on the ground. They have added to the global north's 'ecological debt', which must now be repaid. read article... Unjustifiable Bank domination over climate funds in BangladeshWorld Bank's record in Bangladesh shows there is no place for it in a just response to climate change, but it is set to dominate the new fund for adaptation in Bangladesh. Civil society critics speak out. read article... Human rights landmark in ICSID tribunalFor the first time ever, a tribunal of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) will hear human rights arguments. read article... The role of the World Bank in climate financeThe World Bank currently plays four different roles in arrangements to distribute finance for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in developing countries. In addition, its overall lending portfolio can have significant environmental impacts. read article... |
Articles: 2687 Related itemsEvents
ResourcesIEG on WBG's response to the financial crisis 8 February Water: Private, Limited 15 January Ugandan environmentalist speaks out on large dams, renewable energy, and poverty alleviation. Frank Muramuzi 15 December Banking on Coal: Why is the World Bank subsidizing one of the planet's dirtiest fuels? 14 December Protecting people and the planet 26 November Will World Bank and IMF Lending Lead to HIPC IV? Debt Deja-Vu All Over Again 23 November Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh 20 November Bridging the divide 17 November GTI response 16 November $1.1bn climate funds for Africa from Bank 16 November Newswire |
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