The Bretton Woods Project's selection of the best books, reports and other resources on the World Bank and IMF from 2016.
IFC
Environment
Analysis
Behind the fumes: the dirty truth behind the World Bank’s commitments on climate change
New report provides evidence that IFC investments in financial intermediaries (FIs) support the construction of coal power plants in contradiction to World Bank policy and IFC statements that FI lending is ring-fenced and does not support coal.
Infrastructure
Analysis
The rise and fall of World Bank funded megaprojects
The World Bank has announced funding for the controversial Southern Gas Corridor, while exiting two other high profile but problematic megaprojects, Inga 3 in Democratic Republic of Congo and Simandou in Guinea.
Finance
Analysis
IFC investment in Stora Enso: the need for a responsible IFC tax policy
The International Finance Corporation praises the pulp and paper company Stora Enso as an industry leader in environmental and social standards, but questions about Stora Enso’s Dutch tax arrangement remain unresolved.
Finance
News
World Bank IDA18 to introduce increased reliance on capital markets
The World Bank's IDA18 replenishment raised $75 billion, with increased reliance on capital markets and launched new $2.5 billion private sector window through IFC and MIGA.
Rights
Commentary
World Bank continues colonial legacy on Assam’s tea plantations
CAO report validates 2013 complaint by Indian NGOs on IFC investment in colonial tea plantation in Assam. The IFC's action plan is very limited in scope.
Environment
Analysis
Clean Technology Fund (CTF)
A revised Clean Technology Fund (CTF) pipeline management and cancellation policy has been approved. A document outlining further details on the proposed “CTF 2.0” will be discussed. Approval for reallocation of funds for a Morocco project was challenged by Germany and the decision postponed.
Environment
Analysis
Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR)
Pipeline management and cancellation policies are in preparation for the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) to address funding constraints, with no funding available for new pilot countries’ projects. Questions were raised about gender impacts for a renewable energy project in Mozambique.
Environment
Analysis
Forest Investment Program (FIP)
Challenges in measuring progress were noted for the Forest Investment Program (FIP), in particular greenhouse gas accounting. Investment plans for Mozambique and Ivory Coast have been approved. Questions were raised over the reasoning for a commercial teak plantation project in Ghana.
Environment
Analysis
Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP)
A new a new Enhanced Private Sector Program for the Scaling up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP) is due to discussed. Cambodia’s investment plan has been approved. Social, environmental and financial risks related to a Nicaragua geothermal project were raised.
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 14
New edition of the Bretton Woods Project's biannual Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) Monitor, including an update on the Green Climate Fund, published to coincide with the World Bank-hosted CIFs trust fund committee meetings.
Finance
Analysis
Development finance institutions and responsible corporate tax behaviour
Report finds Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are not doing enough to eliminate the risk of public money being complicit in tax avoidance schemes.
