Calls by the World Bank for hydropower to play a major role in efforts to strengthen resilience to climate change have been challenged by civil society organisations and recent research.
An impending shortfall in available resources for the Clean Technology Fund continues to concern, leading to cancellation of projects. Questions were raised about development impacts and reliance on geothermal energy in India and Indonesia's revised investment plans, and on debt sustainability in a Caribbean project.
Concerns have been raised about the slow progress with the Scaling up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP). Ghana, Haiti and Nicaragua's investment plans were approved, with questions asked about the loan/grant ratio, promotion of PPPs, and reliance on funding from the Green Climate Fund.
Despite efforts to boost its influence within climate finance circles and a call to “decarbonise development”, the World Bank continues to support fossil fuels.
What’s the issue? Energy is a crucial economic sector which has a disproportionate influence on…
Concerns have been raised about a projected shortfall of resources for the Clean Technology Fund, with an early warning mechanism due to be discussed. Questions were raised about development benefits of a Colombia project and on safeguards for a Vietnam project.
Indicative funding allocations have been agreed for 14 new Scaling up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries pilot countries, however, cautions remained about “unrealistic expectations” about funding availability. Questions were raised about incentives for diesel in a Kenya project.
A World Bank report calling for closer collaboration between mining and energy companies in Africa is criticised for underplaying risks and neglecting more efficient energy options for the poor.
The Inspection Panel has deferred a decision to investigate a complaint regarding environmental, social and economic damage related to a World Bank funded mining project in Mongolia.
A report has cast further doubts on the viability and efficiency of the proposed lignite coal power plant in Kosovo which the World Bank is considering supporting.
Notes from a meeting on energy during the World Bank spring meetings.
The World Bank's Inspection Panel has found the Bank breached its own standards through its involvement in a Kenyan electricity project which has displaced Maasai communities.
A new report by Sierra Club and Oil Change International highlights the need for MDBs to establish criteria for energy access for the poor within their energy portfolios in order to achieve the goal of universal energy access by 2030.
Bretton Woods Project has published a briefing examining five MDBs' fossil fuel investments and exposure to the carbon bubble.
