Meeting notes
Forests
Rights
News
Palmed off: World Bank's palm oil framework 'business as usual' despite environmental and rights con
The World Bank’s draft framework for investment in the palm oil sector was met with dismay from civil society groups, who said that it failed to offer a credible strategy to address manifold social and environmental problems.
Environment
News
World Bank and climate: new roles, old challenges?
With the World Bank and IMF under consideration as significant sources of climate finance, controversy continues around the Bank’s Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) and carbon offset projects.
Environment
Analysis
The World Bank: Access or impediment to climate finance?
Proposals to place climate funds at an institution like the World Bank, over which developing countries have limited ownership, have undermined the process of negotiations through the UNFCCC. However, G77 countries have stood against the World Bank and have firmly supported placing climate finance under the UN, despite a diversity of positions. Lobbying by the World Bank and key donors both in international and bilateral discussions to secure a significant and decisive position for the Bank with
Infrastructure
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 2
As pilot countries are selected and funding allocated, concern mounts over poor consultation, the weakness of some country proposals, and failure to address governance issues.
Accountability
Background
Meeting of UK NGOs and Susanna Moorehead, UK Executive Director to the World Bank, and Rachel Turner
Notes of the meeting
Rights
News
Is IFC palm oil investment a foregone conclusion?
The World Bank is currently undertaking a major review of its controversial engagement in palm oil production, but critics warn that consultation has been inadequate and that the Bank seems to have already decided to continue investment in the sector.
Infrastructure
News
IMF's latest prescription: Cure the crisis with austerity
The IMF has gone back to promoting fiscal austerity and pressuring governments to implement spending cuts and structural reforms. Austerity also remains at the heart of the Fund's debt sustainability policies.
Environment
News
Resistance to Bank's role in climate finance as alternatives gain traction
As talks aim toward an agreement on climate finance in December in Cancun, fault lines remain about the role of the World Bank. Contradictions in recent Bank lending and contributions to alternative financing mechanisms have fuelled ongoing debates about the Bank’s role.
Environment
News
Court finds fault with IFC-backed paper mill
Controversy over the Botnia paper mill, which was part financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's private sector arm, continues as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Uruguay breached regional treaty obligations by failing to properly inform neighbouring Argentina when authorising its construction.
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.