EnvironmentThis topic area covers: the impact of Bank and Fund policies and activities on the environment, including the impacts of individual projects; programmatic and sectoral lending; and Bank and Fund policy research. Subjects covered include: oil, gas and mining; forests, large hydroelectric projects; energy issues; agriculture; the Global Environment Facility (GEF); the World Bank's involvement in carbon trading; safeguard policies; environmental compliance with World Bank policies and international mechanisms ; and related infrastructure issues. 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 472The 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... 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... Palm oil plantation perpetuates povertyA study by NGO Rainforest Action Network of a World Bank-funded oil palm plantation in Papua New Guinea reports violations of Bank performance standards by thrice funding the palm oil plantations of agribusiness giant Cargill with no record of a consultation process. read article... IFC lends a hand in great "land grab"As the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, announces plans to increase investment in agribusiness by up to 30 per cent in the next three years, NGO reports shed light on the IFC's role in 'land grabs' and flaws in its approach to the food crisis. read article... Burning controversy over Bank and environmentHot on the heels of the start of its energy strategy review the Bank has launched a review of its 2001 environment strategy but continues to come under fire over its green record. read article... Faulty systems at the Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership FacilityAs the Bank seeks to position itself as the vehicle of choice for future climate finance, the experience of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) calls its competence into question. 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... 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
ResourcesUgandan environmentalist speaks out on large dams, renewable energy, and poverty alleviation 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 Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh 20 November Bridging the divide 17 November IEG Annual Review of Development Effectiveness 2009 16 November Bank environment strategy consultations 16 November $1.1bn climate funds for Africa from Bank 16 November CIFs committee meeting notes 16 November Equitable Adaptation Finance 1 November Newswire |
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