This paper critically assesses the appropriateness of the Bank-housed Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) as a model for the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It takes proposals and recommendations by civil society groups and uses them as benchmarks to analyse the CIFs. It finds that in terms of institutional arrangements the CIFs have achieved some notable progress, however, in operations and performance there are serious concerns.
Energy
Infrastructure
News
World Bank energy strategy stalled
A mid April meeting of the World Bank board sub-group, the Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE), threw the development of the Bank’s energy strategy into disarray, while NGOs complain of a weakening of Bank commitment to consultation and continue to critique Bank energy investments.
Infrastructure
News
Conflict of interest? World Bank's role in global climate fund causes outcry
As civil society groups and developing countries continue to warn against World Bank influence in the design and management of the new Green Climate Fund (GCF), further criticism is emerging of existing Bank climate initiatives.
Environment
Commentary
World Bank's Africa strategy remains rutted in comfort zone
A critical analysis of the World Bank's new strategy for Africa
Infrastructure
News
US cuts funding to World Bank Climate Fund
The Clean Technology Fund (CTF), one of the controversial Bank-housed Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), was a victim of the 2011 US budget deal, which passed in April.
Infrastructure
Background
World Bank, energy and climate change: Something old, something new?
Notes of 2011 Spring Meetings NGO panel
Accountability
News
El Banco Mundial aumenta los prestamos a las industrias extractivas a pesar de los abusos a los dere
Los grupos de la sociedad civil han acusado al Banco por no haber previsto o respondido a los casos de las violaciones de los derechos humanos en el oleoducto Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan patrocinado por el Banco (BTC) en el Caucaso y Turquia, justo en el momento en el que el Banco anuncia un aumento en las inversiones en las industrias extractivas.
Accountability
Background
Notes of meeting between UK Executive Director to World Bank and Civil Society Groups
Civil society organisations met UK Executive Director to the World Bank and staff from the Department for International Development to discuss the World Development Report on conflict, security and development; the spring meetings and food security; the World Bank's energy strategy and performance in the health sector.
Infrastructure
News
Energy for the poor: World Bank urged to make a clean break
Policymakers, analysts and campaigners have said the Bank must revise its proposed energy strategy to set a clear course for reducing energy poverty and supporting low-carbon development. The credibility of the strategy is also at risk from new coal investments under consideration at the Bank
Rights
News
World Bank increases extractives lending despite human rights abuses
Civil society groups have accused the World Bank of failing to foresee or respond to human rights abuses in the Bank-sponsored Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline in the Caucasus and Turkey, just as the Bank announces a boost in investments in extractive industries.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.