This year's Goldman Environmental Prize honoured two activists who have been tackling World Bank projects and policies.
Environment
Infrastructure
News
Wolfensohn discusses human rights, environment at Greenpeace lecture
The World Bank’s president made interesting statements on human rights and climate change. But he was not specific and he asserted brashly that his institution has not harmed indigenous people since he has been in charge.
Rights
News
World Bank faces lobbies on human rights, climate change
The World Bank has recently faced increasing pressure to adopt strong policies on human rights and climate change. NGOs have been joined by parliamentarians, nobel laureates for peace and a group of religious leaders in advocating for the Bank to adopt the recommendations of the Extractive Industries Review.
Rights
News
Congolese groups unite to demand scrutiny of forest policies
NGOs in the Democratic Republic of Congo have allied to challenge industrial logging in their country's rainforests. In February they appealed to the World Bank and other agencies to halt a plan which would make up to 60 million hectares of rainforest available to logging companies in the coming years.
Environment
News
Global warming speaks louder than words
The gap between the World Bank's pronouncements on the dangers of climate change and the reality of its lending practices presents an ever increasing danger for the global commons.
IFI governance
News
Extractives report tables harsh criticism, many suggestions
In mid-January the report of the Extractive Industries Review was tabled, containing many strong criticisms of the Bank's record in the oil, gas and mining sector and a series of detailed recommendations.
Environment
News
World Bank rewards Cambodian government despite forest mismanagement
Despite its failure to improve forest management, the World Bank has released further funding to the Cambodian government. NGOs argue that this shows that the Bank is not serious about social and environmental issues. The Bank's anti-corruption credentials are also in doubt as it has awarded a contract for forest monitoring to a company with convictions for bribery.
Environment
News
IMF role in Bolivian crisis
A report from Bolivian NGO CEDLA contends that plans to sell the gas to the US via Chile were more about ensuring continued support from the Bank and Fund to escape the current fiscal crisis than the long-term health of the economy.
Rights
News
WB mining privatisation
Colombian trade unions have announced that due to World Bank commitments and a new mining code, the government has decided to reconstruct the state mining sector.
Environment
News
Indigenous Peoples Policy delayed
On 20 October, World Bank Vice President Ian Johnson responded to Extractive Industries Review Eminent Person Emil Salim confirming that the Bank will delay finalisation of the Indigenous Peoples Policy until the first quarter of 2004.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
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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.