Analysis

Infrastructure

Analysis

The role of the World Bank in carbon markets

This paper outlines the World Bank's involvement in the carbon market and reviews concerns about its impacts on greenhouse gas emission reductions and development.

4 February 2011 | Briefings

Infrastructure

Analysis

Climate Investment Funds Monitor 3

The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) are financing instruments designed to pilot low-carbon and climate-resilient development through the multilateral development banks (MDBs). They are comprised of two trust funds - the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).

4 February 2011 | Briefings

Rights

Analysis

At issue: The World Bank as a new global education ministry?

In early 2011 the World Bank will approve a new education sector strategy amid trends that mean that international goals on education will not be met. Zoe Godolphin of the University of Bristol argues that the Bank’s proposed approach fails conceptually because it does not accept that education is a human right. It also fails pragmatically because it continues to advocate a template approach instead of supporting genuinely country-driven priorities in education planning.

21 January 2011 | At Issue

Accountability

Analysis

Conference summary: Private Sector Turn

On November 22nd 2010, CounterBalance and the Bretton Woods Project hosted a conference in London on "The Private Sector Turn" - the increasing shift from public to private funding in development finance, the forms it takes and what it means for activists and affected people. What follows is a summary of the day's proceedings.

17 December 2010 | Note

Private Sector

Analysis

Out of sight, out of mind?

The World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC) lending has grown enormously over the past decade, with commitments reaching a record $18 billion in the 2010 financial year. At the same time, there has been a significant shift in the way the IFC does business. Increasingly, instead of managing its loans and investments itself, it relies on financial intermediaries such as banks and private investment funds. In the 2010 financial year, finance sector lending made up over half of al

22 November 2010 | Briefings

Accountability

Analysis

Submission to the International Development Committee of the UK parliament: inquiry into the World B

The UK should not increase its contribution to IDA in the current replenishment. Instead, it should focus on achieving substantial reforms of the World Bank and IFC in key areas, including health, gender, climate and energy, and the private sector, and in radically improving the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the institution.

19 October 2010 | Paper

Conditionality

Analysis

Saying one thing but meaning another: IMF advises protecting jobs and cutting spending

While Hungary has booted out the IMF, Greece is still toeing the line of IMF austerity demands. The IMF has softened its rhetoric in some places, notably on unemployment, but critics worry that many staff are still pushing fiscal retrenchment that may damage growth prospects.

30 September 2010

Environment

Analysis

The World Bank: Access or impediment to climate finance?

Proposals to place climate funds at an institution like the World Bank, over which developing countries have limited ownership, have undermined the process of negotiations through the UNFCCC. However, G77 countries have stood against the World Bank and have firmly supported placing climate finance under the UN, despite a diversity of positions. Lobbying by the World Bank and key donors both in international and bilateral discussions to secure a significant and decisive position for the Bank with

29 September 2010 | Briefings

Finance

Analysis

Adjusting foreign investment

This briefing explores the impact of capital account policy on international development. The liberalisation of capital accounts in developing countries has been promoted by international economic and financial institutions. However, with evidence showing the damaging economic, social and human consequences of unrestricted capital movement, tools to manage capital flows are increasingly being embraced by policy makers and academics.

29 September 2010 | Briefings

IFI governance

Analysis

IFI governance reform

Much as developing countries have often taken the approach that "no deal is better than a bad deal" at the WTO, a strong joint negotiating position would leverage larger gains in the IMF governance reform process due to be concluded by the end of 2010. Possible gains from a tough negotiating position include a rewriting of the IMF quota formula, double majority voting, more developing country seats on the board, and an end to the US veto. Limited change at the Bank highlights potential pitfalls.

28 September 2010 | Briefings

Accountability

Analysis

Submission on the World Bank and IFC to DFID's multilateral aid review

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.

2 September 2010 | Briefings