As the UK government reviews its funding and relationships with multilateral organisations, we argue that the World Bank Group's poor performance, lack of country ownership and accountability, and tendency to 'mission creep', require a focus on institutional and policy change at the Bank, and no increase in funding.
Briefings
Infrastructure
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 2
As pilot countries are selected and funding allocated, concern mounts over poor consultation, the weakness of some country proposals, and failure to address governance issues.
Rights
Analysis
Human rights (the World Bank way)
Most of the world's governments have ratified at least one human rights treaty or convention. Kirk Herbertson, Kim Thompson and Robert Goodland of the World Resources Institute ask why the World Bank Group - which is owned by these same governments - is hesitant to discuss human rights openly.
Infrastructure
Analysis
Clean energy targets for the World Bank
This paper questions what the World Bank counts as clean energy and whether it reports on its energy lending in an accountable way. The concerns it highlights demonstrate the need for a far more rigorous and transparent approach, subject to independent monitoring.
IFI governance
Analysis
IMF mandate needs fundamental rethink
The IMF needs to fundamentally rethink its role, and return closer to its original purpose, focussing on three key areas: reform of the international monetary system; surveillance over the policies of systemically important countries; and providing rapid access, conditionality-free finance to countries facing crisis.
IFI governance
Analysis
Analysis of World Bank voting reforms
The World Bank will continue to be overwhelmingly dominated by rich countries, which stunts its legitimacy and limits its capacity to serve the interests of developing countries.
Knowledge
Analysis
Fundamental change or more of the same?
In this review, we assess the progress of the G20, and particularly of the UK government, towards the 12 policy recommendations as set out by the Put People First platform in March 2009 and identify areas where further progress should be pursued in 2010. This review shows that the international community needs to continue to focus on sustainable and equitable policy, by going far further than has so far been contemplated.
Accountability
Analysis
Don't bank on it! Challenging the World Bank's role in future climate finance
Despite 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) partie
Infrastructure
Analysis
Fuelling contradictions: the World Bank's energy lending and climate change
The World Bank's energy and infrastructure lending is undermining its credibility as an institution committed to combating the impacts of climate change for the world's poor, and its attempts to play a central role in managing global climate funds.
Infrastructure
Analysis
The World Bank and energy: time for a catalytic conversion
The World Bank is currently consulting on a new energy strategy, due to be finalised in early 2011. We believe this offers an opportunity for a shift towards a limited but catalytic role for the World Bank in ensuring energy access for the poor and supporting the transition towards a low carbon future. But only if the World Bank commits itself to conversion into a much more transparent, representative and environmentally responsible institution, focused on its mission, not its own enlarge
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 1
Donors have pledged $6.2 billion to the World Bank hosted Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) making them big players in current climate finance. The last three months have seen the Scaling Up Renewable Energy programme launched, new country investment plans endorsed by the Clean Technology Fund, and pilot countries selected for the Forest Investment Programme. A discussion paper, commissioned by the CIFs Administrative Unit has begun to look at lessons that can be learnt and incorporated in the rol
Environment
Analysis
Expanding global cooperation on climate justice
Mary 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.
Featured briefings
16 October 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2024
16 October 2024
The lost call for international financial architecture reform in the G20
At the 80th anniversary of the World Bank and IMF, global civil society must maintain pressure on the Brazilian and South African G20 presidencies to ensure the forth Financing for Development Conference in 2025 results in urgently required international financial architecture reform.
16 October 2024
Sustainable development requires sustainable finance: why local currency financing is part of the solution
Multilateral development banks can reduce their dependence on hard currency lending and make local currency financing a central element of their developmental mandate.