Bank's focus on attracting private investment through energy privatisation raises concerns, as it puts private profits over sustainable energy systems, burdening governments with debt and making electricity less affordable for citizens.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Analysis
New data reveal World Bank DPF ‘climate finance’ undermines a just transition
Environment
Analysis
Despite the World Bank’s commitment to move away from funding coal, a series of loopholes in its financial intermediary lending remain that will continue to allow finance to support coal power projects.
Environment
Analysis
Coal not yet confined to the “old days” by World Bank Group
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank’s support for fossil fuel projects, including problem-riddled Medupi coal power station, leaves its reputation in tatters with South African civil society.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank and IMF influence casts shadow over South Africa's JETP
Accountability
News
World Bank’s lack of meaningful consultation leaves Chiquitano Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia with no recourse
World Bank fails in its commitment to accountability by disregarding communities’ participation all the way through project design, implementation and resulting remedy plans.
Infrastructure
News
Indonesia JETP's promotion of renewable energy privatisation opposed by unions and civil society
Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership bears the clear handprint of the World Bank’s private-sector led approach to power sectors in the Global South, creating opposition from unions and civil society.
Environment
News
World Bank’s update on Paris alignment fizzles at COP27 as countries demand MDBs evolve to face climate emergency
Despite continued public rhetoric about importance of civil society engagement, Bank is yet to commit to holding a public consultation period on its Paris alignment approach.
Social services
News
World Bank issues new guidance on PPPs legal frameworks, ignoring long-standing concerns with the model
New World Bank guidance on PPP legal frameworks evidence of institution’s continued reliance on PPPs as key to addressing SDG financing gap despite well-documented failures. Previous World Bank PPP contracts template criticised for incompatibility with human rights norms.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank announces support for CCUS in Nigeria despite criticisms it reinforces fossil fuel dependence
World Bank trust fund ESMAP will provide support for domestic market, while IFC will support private sector investment in CCUS.
Environment
News
World Bank accused of being ‘ongoing underperformer’ at COP26, as key Bank shareholders commit to fossil-fuel finance phaseout
UN official and civil society criticise World Bank and other MDBs for lack of ambition at COP26.
Environment
News
World Bank’s new Climate Change Action Plan fails to deliver much-needed transformative agenda
Plan lacks detail in key areas, including concrete commitments to end fossil fuels support.
Other news
IFI governance
Background
Mission 300: The high-stakes pursuit of energy transition in Africa
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 25 April 2025, titled "Mission 300: The high-stakes pursuit of energy transition in Africa"
Accountability
News
IFC ends investment in waste-to-energy incineration projects in Gujarat, India, following civil society campaign
While IFC’s withdrawal is welcome, civil society urges the Bank to stop funding WTE projects and move towards zero-waste solutions instead.
Environment
News
Trump election may add pressure to reverse World Bank’s prohibition on support for nuclear power
Donald Trump’s election may result in a revision of World Bank’s long-standing prohibition of support to nuclear power.
Infrastructure
News
Banga calls energy access a ‘human right’ as he announces World Bank will provide access for 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030
Explicit mention of human rights obligations has long been a taboo subject at the World Bank.
Infrastructure
News
MIGA’s support for gas projects raises concerns about its climate credentials
World Bank’s commercial insurance arm provided nearly $850 million in guarantees for gas projects in Bangladesh and Mozambique in fiscal year 2022.
Finance
News
Chad gets debt rescheduling, not relief, and is left dependent on oil revenues
Chad has reached an agreement to restructure its nearly $3 billion of external debt, unlocking IMF financing, but the deal has been criticised for failing to reduce the country’s overall debt burden.
Infrastructure
News
New deal allows for ICSID claims on fossil fuel investments until 2033
Loophole in renegotiated Energy Charter Treaty could see companies sue countries for losses related to fossil fuel projects until 2033.
Finance
News
Restart of Pakistan’s IMF loan agreement collapses with change in government, as soaring costs of IFC-supported LNG add to fiscal pain
Pakistan increases fuel prices in effort to meet IMF conditions, while cost of importing LNG surges.