New BWP research finds the Word Bank's approach to Paris alignment is being used to a significant extent to impose ‘green conditionalities' on borrowing countries, especially in the Global South.
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World Bank Group
IFI governance
News
The Bretton Woods Institutions at 80: Where do we go from here?
As the World Bank and IMF celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2024, on 10th July the Bretton Woods Project, together with the SOAS Centre for Sustainable Finance, were joined by a distinguished group of panellists to critically analyse the opportunities for, and challenges to, reforms of the BWIs and the international financial architecture more broadly.
Gender
News
2024 Gender IFI Summer School
Gender IFI Summer School, brings together regional and global organisations working to advance economic justice issues, particularly from a feminist perspective, to discuss the IFIs’ impact on women’s rights and wellbeing, as well as strategies and tactics to push back.
Accountability
Analysis
Is the World Bank rolling back commitments to citizen engagement, again?
Understanding the Bank’s chequered history with public, community and civil society participation is key for understanding what is at stake and what to do next.
Finance
News
'Worst ever’ debt crisis puts IDA’s financial model at risk, underscoring need for ambitious donor contributions to IDA21 replenishment
The unfolding debt crisis threatens IDA’s support for 75 low-income countries, without replenishment of grant resources.
Environment
News
World Bank's $1 billion loan to South Africa risks undermining just transition by doubling down on 'de-risking' private capital
Despite the Just Energy Transition Partnership's failure to attract private investments in South Africa, the World Bank is doubling down on a private sector led approach to the green transition through $1 billion loan contingent on the separation of Eskom’s activities.
Private Sector
Background
What is the International Finance Corporation (IFC)?
This Inside the Institutions explores the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private sector arm. It examines the function of the IFC as a development institution focused solely on private sector solutions to development and considers civil society critiques.
Land
News
World Bank agricultural reform programme facilitates exploitation of Zambian farmers
New seed law will benefit agribusiness but infringe on farmers’ rights to share and reuse their own seeds, which will undermine food security in a country where smallholder farmers grow most of the country’s staple food.
Other news
Infrastructure
News
Banga calls energy access a ‘human right’ as he announces World Bank will provide access for 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030
Explicit mention of human rights obligations has long been a taboo subject at the World Bank.
Trade
News
Ecuador ratifies 2008 ban on investor-state dispute settlement mechanism
Ecuador referendum reinforces the country’s decision against a mechanism criticised for being asymmetric, unjust and detrimental to citizens’ rights.
Gender
News
Tara Povey joins the Bretton Woods Project as new Gender Equality and Macroeconomics Project Lead
Tara will continue the work of the gender team in advocacy targeting the IMF and the World Bank.
IFI governance
Background
Adequate disclosure, public review, and consultation for environmental and social impacts before World Bank Group financing decisions
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum on 19 April 2024 titled, "Adequate disclosure, public review, and consultation for environmental and social impacts before World Bank Group financing decisions".
IFI governance
Background
Beyond size in IDA21 replenishment: What about socio-economic transformation?
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum panel 19 April titled, "Beyond size in IDA21 replenishment: What about soci0-economic transformation?"
IFI governance
Background
Making the new Loss and Damage Fund a success – Recommendations by climate vulnerable civil society
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 18 April 2024 titled, "Making the new Loss and Damage Fund a success – Recommendations by climate vulnerable civil society"
IFI governance
Background
When exits and accountability collide: What happens when IFC exits projects mid-accountability process?
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum on Thursday, 18 April titled, "When exits & accountability collide: What happens when IFC exits projects mid-accountability process?"
IFI governance
Background
Fit for purpose: Reviewing green conditionalities in the IMF RST and World Bank RST
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum on 18 April 2024 titled, "Fit for purpose: Reviewing green conditionalities in the IMF RST and World Bank RST."
Featured briefings
1 October 2024
Year one of World Bank Paris Agreement alignment in the energy sector: ‘green conditionality’ dwarfs green investments
New BWP research finds the Word Bank's approach to Paris alignment is being used to a significant extent to impose ‘green conditionalities' on borrowing countries, especially in the Global South.
3 July 2024
The Bretton Woods Observer: Summer 2024
3 July 2024
Is the World Bank rolling back commitments to citizen engagement, again?
Understanding the Bank’s chequered history with public, community and civil society participation is key for understanding what is at stake and what to do next.