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.
Analysis
Finance
Analysis
The International Monetary System:
Summary of seminar held at the Civil Society Forum during the 2010 World Bank/ IMF spring meetings.
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
Bottom lines, better lives? Rethinking multilateral financing to the private sector in developing co
This report examines MDBs' growing but controversial investments in the private sector in developing countries. It proposes changes to ensure that these investments work for development, rather than serving the interests of foreign investors.
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.
Finance
Analysis
Funding the World Bank - The sixteenth IDA replenishment: Major reform must be the price of UK suppo
Joint paper by ten UK development NGOs calling for the government to use IDA's 16th replenishment to push the World Bank to make significant reforms, without which the UK should not increase its cash allocation and instead consider alternative channels for aid.
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
Accountability
Analysis
The IFIs in 2009: year in review
If 2008 was the year the financial crisis began, 2009 was the year its impacts were really felt in most developing countries. The beginning of the year saw near panic about the potential depths of the global recession and a glimmer of hope that the economic policies of rich countries which had touched off the crisis and contributed to its spread would be rethought. The Bretton Woods Project, with many partners around the globe, viewed it as an opportune time for a Bretton Woods II – a new
Environment
Analysis
The World Bank's new energy strategy
As 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.
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
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.
