Infrastructure

News

World Bank drawing in climate funds?

29 November 2010

A much awaited November report from the UN high level advisory group on climate change finance (AGF) drew criticism for recommending an increasing role for multilateral development banks (MDBs). The noise generated by the report also highlights concerns about the development of a new fund hoped to be decided in Cancun, additional trust funds announced at the Bank and the continued roll-out of the Bank-housed climate investment funds (CIFs).

Infrastructure

Commentary

Low carbon options ensuring energy security and energy access for all

The World Bank's current energy strategy and the Bank's review of its energy sector lending strategy within the context of climate change concerns demonstrate a skewed conception of energy access, which must be addressed.

29 November 2010 | Guest comment

IFI governance

News

World Bank initiative on ecosystems

In October, the World Bank launched an initiative to help countries include the benefits of protecting nature into their national accounts.

29 November 2010

Trade

News

World Bank private sector approach under fire

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Bank's private sector lending arm, has come under fire for its business model, increasing use of financial intermediaries such as banks, funding of companies associated with tax havens, and its controversial Doing Business report.

29 November 2010

Finance

News

IDA - World Bank angling for increased funding

The World Bank used its October annual meetings to lobby donors to increase funding to the International Development Association (IDA, the Bank's low-income country arm), but official papers suggest the majority of increases will likely come from its own coffers, while NGOs remain sceptical.

29 November 2010

Environment

Background

The role of the World Bank in carbon markets: The Carbon Finance Unit

The World Bank's engagement in carbon finance has expanded from its "pioneering" Prototype Carbon Fund in 1999, which provided the groundwork for the continuously popular market-based approach to emission reductions.

29 November 2010 | Inside the institutions

IFI governance

News

Changing tone or changing policy?

While the World Bank has lately changed its rhetoric on how to approach its knowledge role, critics fear that without internal governance reforms the new approach remains nothing but an empty slogan.

29 November 2010

IFI governance

News

Implementing IMF governance reform: Baby steps in slow motion

IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn called agreements reached on IMF governance reform "historic". A closer analysis reveals that the shifts in votes are smaller than claimed and though the basic power structure of the IMF will better incorporate large emerging markets after two years, it will continue to be dominated by the US and Europe.

29 November 2010

Environment

News

National responses to World Bank's energy strategy review

An October report by UK NGO Christian Aid, Energy for our common future, brings together responses by civil society groups in India, Bolivia, Peru and South Africa to the World Bank's energy strategy review.

29 November 2010

Social services

News

Mounting criticism of World Bank's gender strategy

In October, US NGO Gender Action released a new critique of the World Bank's gender plan for 2011 to 2013.

29 November 2010

Rights

News

World Bank programmes linked to political repression

A mid October report by international NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), documents how World Bank projects in Ethiopia are being used by the government to repress dissent and weaken political opposition, reinforcing criticisms of Bank funding to countries with widespread reports of human rights abuses.

29 November 2010

Land

News

World Bank pushes carbon markets in agriculture and climate talks

In the lead up to Cancun climate negotiations, the Bank has used a conference on agriculture and climate as a platform to expand its agricultural activities and link them to its interests in carbon markets, despite new evidence of problems with investment in the sector.

29 November 2010

Conditionality

News

IMF economics put recovery at risk (not to mention people)

Amid slowing global economic growth the IMF welcomed fiscal consolidation, despite warnings that in Europe and in developing countries austerity policies and consumption taxes are threatening recovery and harming the most vulnerable.

29 November 2010