A serious cyanide spill at an IFC- and MIGA-backed mine this May raises questions about the Bank Group environmental procedures for mines.
Environment
Infrastructure
News
Conflict of interest in Bank energy initiatives
A new briefing from the Institute for Policy Studies highlights the Bank’s reluctance to take decisive action on climate change.
Conditionality
News
Brazil stabilisation means cuts for key donor projects
The IMF with multilateral banks and other donors has agreed a $41bn package to help Brazil fend off international currency speculators.
Infrastructure
News
Chad-Cameroon pipeline appeal for support
Cameroonian and Chadian groups are appealing for support during the last few crucial months before the World Bank decides whether to support the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project.
Infrastructure
News
Experts criticise Chad-Cameroon Oil Plans
Critical findings from a World Bank environmental team have set back the planned approval of World Bank support for the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline.
Rights
News
Mining conference
A World Bank conference this July in Padang, Papua New Guinea, discussed “mining and the community in South-East Asia” but many NGOs known to represent mine-affected people were not invited.
IFI governance
News
Forest review concession
The Bank has now accepted that its Forest Policy Implementation Review will look at effects on forests of its non-forest lending, and that its Operations Evaluation Department will do some of the field studies.
Environment
News
MIGA pressed to reform
Friends of the Earth US and other NGOs wrote to their government representatives in April to stress that the donor discussions about providing more money for MIGA should talk about reforms first and about shifting the portfolio away from mining and fossil fuel projects such as the controversial Lihir Island goldmine in Papua New Guinea.
Infrastructure
News
Chad Cameroon Indecision
Following NGO scrutiny of the World Bank’s plans to support the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline scheme the Bank appears to be reconsidering its use of IDA (soft loan) money for the project.
IFI governance
News
World Bank Plans Profitable CO2 Trading
The Kyoto climate change meeting in December brought together ministers from 160 countries to agree binding restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions.
