A recent paper by Bank staff, which argues for enhanced support of large hydropower projects, has reignited controversy over the Bank's approach, with NGOs claiming that project planning and implementation still show disregard for social and environmental considerations.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
News
Controversy over REDD credits
An article in the Economist highlights that no market has been formalised for trading carbon credits generated by programmes for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)
Environment
Analysis
Are we nearly there?
A number of 'pilot' funds are underway to develop climate related interventions in key sectors. Significant UK financing has been dedicated to these funds, primarily through the World Bank. These pilot programmes must be seen as building blocks towards an appropriate post 2012 financial architecture. Based on an emerging UK civil society consensus this paper highlights the form that this architecture should take, what development models it should build upon and what technological approaches it s
Accountability
Analysis
Bretton Woods Project submission on the DFID White Paper
In a submission the the DFID white paper consultation, we set out the significant change needed at the World Bank and IMF to bring them into line both with international norms and with UK policy, in order to improve their contribution to sustainable development. In this submission we outline changes needed in: IFI governance; IFI conditionality policies; IFI policies related to aid effectiveness; IFI policy on climate change; private-sector finance; and the financial sector's impact on devel
Infrastructure
News
FCPF still lacks safeguards and participation
In mid March the committee of participants for the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF)met. The Bank Information Center expressed concerns that FCPF process is occurring "without any significant participation by indigenous peoples or civil society".
Infrastructure
News
US Congress votes against funding World Bank climate fund
In the midst of intensifying global discussions on climate change due to culminate in Copenhagen in December, the US congress voted not to fund the World Bank's Clean Technology Fund (CTF) for 2009.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank still supporting carbon-intensive future
The World Bank Group will kick off the revision of its energy sector strategy, which is to take place during fiscal year 2010 with an issues paper due out this autumn. US based NGO Bank Information Center (BIC) recently published World Bank Energy Sector Lending: Encouraging the World's Addiction to Fossil Fuels, a study on the World Bank's approach to energy sector investments. The assessment finds that important gains in renewable energy and energy efficiency in recent years still do not compe
Environment
News
Dam wrong
A forthcoming World Bank commissioned book on large dams stresses their purported economic benefits whilst inadequately addressing serious social and environmental costs. The book is a further indicator of the Bank's preference for large dams.
Infrastructure
News
Indian environment ministry rejects Climate Investment Funds
The Indian ministry of environment and forests rejected the World Bank's recently finalised climate investment funds (CIFs), a snub that may prove damaging, since India would have been a significant client.
Environment
Background
Carbon Finance and the World Bank
World Bank funding of carbon financing
