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.
Safeguards
Accountability
News
World Bank safeguards and independent scrutiny at risk?
Civil society groups have challenged Bank plans to rush through a new lending instrument, Program-for-Results, that would mean safeguards or equivalent standards no longer apply to a major portion of Bank lending. Meanwhile, a secretive review could strip the Bank's accountability bodies of their independence and safeguards could be scaled back for projects deemed "low risk".
Accountability
Background
Notes of meeting between UK Executive Director to World Bank and Civil Society Groups
On February 2nd 2011 civil society organisations held a meeting with the UK Executive Director to the World Bank and staff from the Department for International Development to discuss the formation of the new Green Climate Fund, the World Bank energy startegy review, and the role of the private sector in World Bank lending.
Rights
News
IFC standards revision leaves out human rights
As the review of the performance standards of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC), the World Bank's private sector lending arm, enters the last stretch, civil society groups are up in arms about the latest draft, which has taken steps backward, particularly in relation to the inclusion of human rights.
Infrastructure
Analysis
The role of the World Bank in carbon markets
This paper outlines the World Bank's involvement in the carbon market and reviews concerns about its impacts on greenhouse gas emission reductions and development.
Infrastructure
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 3
The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) are financing instruments designed to pilot low-carbon and climate-resilient development through the multilateral development banks (MDBs). They are comprised of two trust funds - the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).
Accountability
Analysis
Submission to the International Development Committee of the UK parliament: inquiry into the World B
The UK should not increase its contribution to IDA in the current replenishment. Instead, it should focus on achieving substantial reforms of the World Bank and IFC in key areas, including health, gender, climate and energy, and the private sector, and in radically improving the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the institution.
Accountability
Background
Meeting on the World Bank between DFID and UK NGOs
Notes of a meeting between UK civil society and DFID staff.
Rights
News
Call for IFC performance standards delay to strengthen rights
Civil society organisations are calling for the extension of the schedule of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC, the Bank’s private sector arm) consultation on its performance standards to allow opportunity for human rights and other controversial issues such as climate to be incorporated.
Rights
News
World Bank transparency weak in practice
In July the Bank's new disclosure policy came into effect (see Update 68), but NGOs are warning that it fails to adequately cover ongoing processes and negotiations with governments.
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.