World Bank’s support for fossil fuel projects, including problem-riddled Medupi coal power station, leaves its reputation in tatters with South African civil society.
View all articles
View all articles
View all articles
IFC
Environment
Commentary
Bridgetown Initiative calls for new Global Climate Mitigation Trust financed via Special Drawing Rights
IMF’s lending instruments fail to provide swift and large-scale funding for climate transition. The Bridgeton Initiative proposes a new trust backed by $500 billion in SDRs for climate and development.
Environment
News
World Bank’s update on Paris alignment fizzles at COP27 as countries demand MDBs evolve to face climate emergency
Despite continued public rhetoric about importance of civil society engagement, Bank is yet to commit to holding a public consultation period on its Paris alignment approach.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings 2022 Preamble: With risk of global recession on horizon, World Bank and IMF's ability to offer credible solutions remains in question
Economic turmoil and geopolitical fragmentation will provide the backdrop to the first in-person World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings since 2019.
Gender
Background
The World Bank's approach to gender mainstreaming
This Inside the Institutions looks at the World Bank’s current approach to gender mainstreaming, reflecting on and comparing it to previous Bank approaches to addressing gender inequality.
Accountability
News
World Bank’s accountability mechanisms - still a long way to go
57 CSOs highlight need for operational changes in the World Bank’s new accountability scheme to ensure its effectiveness.
Land
Analysis
World Bank and IMF’s response to global food crisis misses mark, as financial speculation drives food prices to historic highs
Action plan launched by Bretton Woods Institutions and other IFIs ignores role of corporatisation of agriculture in contributing to current crisis.
Accountability
Analysis
Ending “absolute immunity” for the International Finance Corporation: The legacy of Jam v. IFC
EarthRights International examines how the Jam v. IFC case has helped to shift the landscape of accountability for international financial institutions by successfully challenging their claim to “absolute” immunity in US courts, potentially opening IFC up to further legal challenges in future.
Other news
IFI governance
Background
Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization
Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum panel on 14 October 2022 titled "Implications of financial deepening for inequality and its impact on gender, poverty, and marginalization."
IFI governance
Background
Greening whole economies? Unpacking World Bank plans for Paris alignment by July 2023
Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum event on 14 October titled "Greening whole economies? Unpacking World Bank plans for Paris alignment by July 2023."
IFI governance
Background
IFC, Uber and the gig economy: deregulation and labour flexibilisation as a “women’s empowerment” strategy
Notes from a Civil Society Policy Forum panel on 13 October titled "IFC, Uber and the gig economy: deregulation and labour flexibilisation as a 'women’s empowerment' strategy,"
IFI governance
Background
MISSING RECEIPTS: How did DFIs’ covid-19 response affect human and environmental rights during the pandemic?
Notes from Civil Society Policy Forum event on April 11, 2022, on: "MISSING RECEIPTS: How did DFIs’ COVID-19 Response Affect Human and Environmental Rights during the Pandemic?"
Rights
News
'Uber Files' and 'Back off BlackRock' campaign expose 'pink washing' as the heart of corporate women's economic empowerment agenda
Uber Leaks and cancelled BlackRock and UN Women partnership highlight contradiction of corporate ‘pink washing’ interests with IFI gender commitments.
Social services
News
World Bank’s IFC ends funding for fee-paying primary and secondary schools
Independent Evaluation Group report highlighted private sector education provision can exacerbate inequality and undermine the public sector school system.
Finance
News
Restart of Pakistan’s IMF loan agreement collapses with change in government, as soaring costs of IFC-supported LNG add to fiscal pain
Pakistan increases fuel prices in effort to meet IMF conditions, while cost of importing LNG surges.
Land
News
IFC approves loan to industrial agriculture producer in Brazil despite pleas for protection of sensitive grassland biome
World Bank’s IFC $200 loan for large-scale agricultural production in Brazil disregards serious human rights and environmental concerns, despite calls by 200 civil society organisations globally
