As experts in the United Nations Advisory Group on Finance (AGF) start to scope innovative sources of climate finance, the IMF issued its own proposal, while questions loom over the governance of climate funds. Meanwhile, the Climate Investment Funds' (CIFs) Partnership Forum exposed the limitations of the Bank's engagement with civil society in developing the funds thus far.
Infrastructure
Environment
Commentary
Eskom loan blackens the World Bank's name
The World Bank, Business Unity South Africa and the African National Congress got their way with a major loan for Eskom, the national power authority, despite broad based opposition from local people, the poor, community organisations, the churches, unions, and environmental and social justice NGOs locally and globally.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank energy lending causes uproar
Debate about the World Bank energy portfolio and its impacts on climate change has reached the boiling point with hundreds of civil society organisations campaigning against the Bank's $3.75 billion loan for a new coal plant in South Africa.
Infrastructure
Analysis
The World Bank and energy: time for a catalytic conversion
The World Bank is currently consulting on a new energy strategy, due to be finalised in early 2011. We believe this offers an opportunity for a shift towards a limited but catalytic role for the World Bank in ensuring energy access for the poor and supporting the transition towards a low carbon future. But only if the World Bank commits itself to conversion into a much more transparent, representative and environmentally responsible institution, focused on its mission, not its own enlarge
Infrastructure
News
World Bank's DRC hydro project derailed
The ongoing rehabilitation of the Inga dams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which receives financial assistance from the World Bank, will be delayed for three years.
Accountability
Background
Meeting between UK civil society and Susanna Moorehead, UK Executive Director to the World Bank
Minutes of a meeting between UK civil society, UK World Bank Executive Director Susanna Moorehead, and DFID staff
Environment
Analysis
Climate Investment Funds Monitor 1
Donors have pledged $6.2 billion to the World Bank hosted Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) making them big players in current climate finance. The last three months have seen the Scaling Up Renewable Energy programme launched, new country investment plans endorsed by the Clean Technology Fund, and pilot countries selected for the Forest Investment Programme. A discussion paper, commissioned by the CIFs Administrative Unit has begun to look at lessons that can be learnt and incorporated in the rol
Infrastructure
Commentary
Human rights and the World Bank's energy policy
If the World Bank is a global inter-governmental institution devoted to reducing poverty, then its global duty should be to focus on achieving energy access for the poor, and certainly for the most vulnerable amongst the poor.
Infrastructure
News
Large hydropower: renewable or not?
Contradictions in the World Bank's approach to hydropower call into question its burgeoning portfolio in the sector.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank prospects for climate finance, others weigh innovative sources
Leaked documents reveal that the World Bank is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and is optimistic that it will play a leading role in future climate finance. Meanwhile, the looming gaps in finance left unresolved in Copenhagen are turning attention to proposals for innovative sources, including those that involve the controversial the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
