Blogs
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“Every time disaster strikes, you rush to bring relief. Why don’t you do more to prevent it?” The words came from a teenage girl standing amid the devastation of the Odisha Super Cyclone in Eastern India in 1999. At the time, I was a member of the Indian Administrative Service, coordinating relief efforts 48 hours […]
For years, water programs have focused on building infrastructure—pipelines, tanks, and pumping stations. But we see that in Uttarakhand, a hilly state in northern India known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, a pivotal shift is underway. Rather than just building more, the state is laser-focused on delivering reliable, high-quality water service […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
It is midafternoon in Suva, the busy port capital of Fiji, and Fatala Roma is waiting patiently in line at a Digicel retail store, a local mobile network operator and telecommunications company. Roma, who works as a cleaner in a nearby office, has come to Digicel to deposit money to her MyCash wallet, a mobile […]
For years, water programs have focused on building infrastructure—pipelines, tanks, and pumping stations. But we see that in Uttarakhand, a hilly state in northern India known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, a pivotal shift is underway. Rather than just building more, the state is laser-focused on delivering reliable, high-quality water service […]
The most pressing global risks over the next decade are environmental—and all closely linked to water. Extreme weather, biodiversity loss, critical changes to Earth’s systems, and natural resource shortages top the list of concerns, according to the World Economic Forum Global Risk Report 2025. These risks underscore the need for long-term strategies to safeguard ecosystems, secure […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and increasing climate urgency, power utilities in emerging markets stand at the forefront of a transformative revolution. Emerging technologies coupled with new business models offer significant potential to further accelerate the decarbonization of the energy mix, with transmission and distribution (T&D) utilities leading the charge and poised […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
In the village of Vatani, Fiji, as dawn breaks over a palm tree lined horizon, Leba Sekoula places a pot of chicken and cassava soup on a stove to heat. The dish, made with boiled rainwater harvested from a large water tank outside her home, will serve as a tasty and nutritious school lunch for […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
On the border between Sibiu and Alba Counties in central Romania, with only a monastery for company, the mirror-like waters of Oasa Lake reflect the blue skies above. The echoing silence of the surrounding landscape is broken only by the occasional flop of a rainbow trout breaking the skin of the water before returning to […]
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Senior Director, Senior Director, Environment and Disaster Management, World Wildlife Fund
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Senior Director for Humanitarian Partnerships at Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Twenty years ago today, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake unleashed a tsunami across the Indian Ocean region. Towering waves, some as high as 100 feet, obliterated coastal communities, killing over 230,000 people and leaving millions homeless. The extent of the destruction was staggering, but the lessons it taught about disaster recovery, environmental stewardship, and the power of […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Near the Konak square in Izmir, Ali Hıdır Köseoğlu, from his fourth-floor office in Izmir’s Water and Sewerage Administration (IZSU), is watching the ferries crisscross the Bay of Izmir. Water is on his mind. As IZSU General Manager, he oversees the city’s relationship with its bay. Adapting to a changing environment is a challenge, he […]
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Senior Program Officer, Gender Data and Evidence, Gates Foundation
Over the past year, conversations about care work have intensified, due to growing recognition that unpaid caregiving constrains women’s workforce participation. The next step is to find solutions to help ease that burden. We spoke with Radu Ban, a senior program officer at the foundation specializing in gender data and evidence, about challenges and opportunities […]
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Senior Operations Officer, IFC
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Executive Director, Peruvian Mining, Energy, and Oil Association (SNMPE)
Misconceptions can travel fast on social media. But when harnessed properly, social media can be a powerful force for good—strengthening company-community relationships, building trust and capacities, and influencing more accurate perceptions of company contributions to communities.
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Managing a three-year-old and a newborn single-handedly is tough enough. But with a full-time job in a bank, Bismriti Paudel soon realized, it could get overwhelming. A Nepali woman in her 20s, she tried hiring help, but they were unreliable. She asked her mom for backup, but she was already babysitting the older child. Taking […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Regina Musyoka used to sell an average of two pairs of shoes a day from her market stall in Nairobi, Kenya. Now, using a smartphone, she sells five, reaches new customers through social media, receives payments through mobile money, and has access to credit to buy additional stock. Historically, cash was often tight for Musyoka, […]
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World Bank Vice President of Development Finance (DFi)
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Vice President for the South Asia Region, World Bank Group
South Asia is a land of vast opportunity. Home to 2 billion people and rich with natural resources, fertile land, and staggering natural beauty, the region has made impressive development progress in recent decades. Strong economic growth and advancement across sectors like education, health, and agriculture have helped reduce poverty and improve millions of lives. […]
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Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank
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Senior Economist, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), World Bank
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Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant, World Bank
The new normal of overlapping crises has highlighted the interconnected nature of our societies and infrastructures—underlining the complex and far-reaching effects of climate and disaster risks and the urgent need for resilient responses to such shocks. For example, in 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc in Mozambique, claiming the lives of 183 individuals and affecting 1.2 million […]
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Regional Director, Sustainable Development, Europe and Central Asia, The World Bank
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Practice Manager, Europe and Central Asia, Urban, DRM, Resilience, and Land
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Senior Economist, Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice
Cities are where economic development really happens. Cities allow workers to be closer to jobs. They bring people together physically – that fuels productivity, that facilitates innovation. Cities also make it cheaper to deliver better quality services to more people. As a result, many of the benefits of urban life — productivity and livability — are associated […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of the global economy, representing over 90% of businesses employing up to 70% of the workforce, and driving half of the world’s GDP. Despite their critical role, they face a staggering $5.7 trillion financing gap globally, which increases to $8 trillion when including informal businesses. In India, the MSME […]
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Practice Manager for the Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees (IPG) Global Practice, World Bank
In a world that has become more and more divisive, there is one thing most people can agree on: the past several years have been some of the most difficult in recent memory. In addition to the huge toll on human life, the COVID-19 pandemic—plus Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—has impacted economic growth, supply chains, borrowing costs, […]
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Director, Gender & Economic Inclusion, IFC
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Vice President, Cross-Cutting Solutions, IFC
Many companies in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) are now prioritizing climate action and advancing gender inclusiveness. However, there are still too few bringing these two goals together in an integrated, comprehensive, and strategic way. Why should they? Because we know that including women’s perspectives and talents is crucial for driving climate mitigation and […]
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Vice President for Infrastructure, The World Bank
As the Understanding Risk 2024 (UR24) global forum recently wrapped up in Himeji, Japan, I was reminded once again about the crucial role robust infrastructure plays in resilience. We continue to face global challenges like climate change, surging debt, and rising fragility. In 2023, around 400 natural hazards resulted in about 87,000 deaths and economic losses amounting to $202.7 […]
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Digital Development Specialist, World Bank Digital Development Global Department
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Senior Research Scientist at ISI Foundation
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Researcher
Across Latin America, the digital divide is not just a technological issue but a stark reflection of income inequality. Brazil is no exception. Access to the internet, a crucial gateway to education, job opportunities, and essential services, remains unevenly distributed. Research highlights a significant disparity: wealthier individuals usually enjoy seamless connectivity, while poorer populations often […]
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Chief Industry Specialist, Green Buildings and Cities, Climate Business Department, IFC
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Principal Industry Specialist, Climate Finance, IFC
While the U.S. is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels per capita in the world, it is also leading the charge in the green retrofit of buildings, with key lessons that cities across the globe might benefit from. An innovative financing tool that allows access to affordable and long-term funding to upgrade residential […]
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Global Director, Gender, The World Bank Group
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Chief Statistician, The World Bank Group
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Global Director, Poverty and Equity Global Practice, World Bank Group
The recently launched World Bank Group Gender Strategy 2024-2030 calls for greater ambition to accelerate gender equality for a world free of poverty on a livable planet. To meet this objective, it is essential we support our clients to generate and strengthen the data and evidence needed to fully understand the challenges and constraints that women face […]
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Senior Infrastructure Specialist, Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Group, World Bank
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Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank
For city government officials in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) it is not an easy time to be funding infrastructure development. Rising interest rates have rapidly pushed up the cost of market finance, while available fiscal space for public funding remains constrained in many EMDEs still recovering from COVID-era deficits. Added to this, inflation […]
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Practice Manager, Finance and Markets Global Practice
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Senior Financial Economist with Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice in MENA, World Bank
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Consultant
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Senior Financial Sector Specialist
Addressing climate risks and seizing opportunities to finance the transition to a sustainable economy are some of the most urgent and complex tasks currently facing the financial sector. Financial regulators and supervisors play a key role in guiding the financial sector to manage climate risks and mobilize finance for climate action more effectively. However, to ensure a […]
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World Bank Managing Director of Operations
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IFC’s Managing Director and Executive Vice President
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Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Financial Officer
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Executive Vice President, MIGA
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Senior Managing Director The World Bank
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Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Administrative Officer
Gender equality is an urgent imperative. Crises, conflict, and global trends, including climate change, natural resource scarcity, and technological transitions, are exacerbating inequalities. In many societies, reversals and backlash against gender equality as well as sluggish economic growth and government fiscal and debt burdens are compounding the challenges. Progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5 on […]
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Decarbonization Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Senior Investment Officer, Sustainable Finance/Global Infrastructure, IFC
Renewable energy generates a fraction of lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels but relies on carbon-intensive inputs and supply chains. Voltalia, a France-based IFC client, is leading the way in reducing GHG emissions from its supply chain. Through the partnership with Voltalia, IFC has identified steps renewable energy developers can take to define targets and actions for decarbonizing their supply chain.
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Decarbonization Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Senior Investment Officer, Sustainable Finance/Global Infrastructure, IFC
Addressing embodied carbon in renewable energy supply chains is crucial for sustainability. Voltalia, an IFC client, is leading the way by targeting a 35% reduction in carbon intensity for solar projects by 2030. Partnering with IFC and EY, Voltalia developed a Scope 3 decarbonization plan, integrating low-carbon procurement strategies to significantly reduce GHG emissions and enhance sustainability efforts.
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Manager of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) at the World Bank
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ESMAP Practice Manager, World Bank
Colombia is in an impressive leadership position: the country generates as much as 75 percent of its electricity from renewable energy – more than twice the global average and significantly more than the 60 percent across Latin America and the Caribbean. This week, the World Bank and the Asociación Hidrógeno Colombia held the 3rd Hydrogen for Development Partners Meeting […]
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Senior Manager Infrastructure , International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Last summer, we witnessed the destruction that can be wrought on isolated Pacific Islands when deadly wildfires overwhelmed the Hawaiian island of Maui. It showed us that efforts to protect against climate -induced catastrophe, such as increasing wildfires, really matter to these vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, another severe weather event on the other side of the […]
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Consultant, Climate Business Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Meet Wangiwe, Sithembile, Kelvin, Daniel and Bright. These five young people are pillars in Malawi’s growing tech community who are connected to the digital world to a degree that no generation before could have imagined. Shaped by the internet and mobile phones, they are utilizing technology to help build brighter, more prosperous futures, not just for […]
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Chief Economist, Infrastructure Practice Group, World Bank
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Economist, Climate Finance & Economics Unit, World Bank
When researchers talk about infrastructure, what are they focusing on? Is their work adapting to new and emerging challenges? In 2023, our team sought to answer these questions by synthesizing more than 300 infrastructure-focused studies published between 1983 and 2022. Our analysis revealed several apparent trends: these studies highlighted the largely positive contribution of infrastructure investment to […]
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Consultant, Climate Business Department, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
It is midafternoon in Kigali, and on a busy commercial street lined with flatbed trucks carrying shipping containers, motorcycle rider Numukobwa Dative pulls over to the curbside to pick up a passenger. The young man is looking for a ride to the city center and, after a brief haggle over price, Dative hits the throttle […]
Here is how Tamika, a hardworking Caribbean mother of three, searched several markets seeking affordable essentials, only to discover that the cost of basic items had skyrocketed. Her salary was already stretched even for simple items like rice, peas, and cooking oil. Just when Tamika thought her family had weathered the worst of the COVID-19 […]
A transformation at the fundamentals of finance unfolded last week in the United Nations headquarters, as women from across the globe embraced WE Finance Code (the Code), a new initiative to close the global $1.7 trillion financing gap for women entrepreneurs. Organized by We-Fi and co-sponsored by the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the […]
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IFC Global Lead for Waste and Circularity
Let’s face it: waste management is not exactly a glamorous topic. In fact, even in the international discourse on climate and development, addressing waste has not been high on the agenda. But if we are to succeed at addressing the global climate, pollution, and biodiversity-loss crises, we need to talk more about waste—and do more, […]
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Manager of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) at the World Bank
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ESMAP Practice Manager, World Bank
Colombia is in an impressive leadership position: the country generates as much as 75 percent of its electricity from renewable energy – more than twice the global average and significantly more than the 60 percent across Latin America and the Caribbean. This week, the World Bank and the Asociación Hidrógeno Colombia held the 3rd Hydrogen for Development Partners Meeting in Bogotá to help Colombia take the next step by using some of its low-cost solar and wind energy to produce hydrogen, a powerful gas critical in the fight against climate change.
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Senior Infrastructure Economist, Public-Private Partnerships Group, Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees, World Bank
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Public-Private Partnerships Specialist, World Bank
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Lead Specialist & Acting Practice Manager, Public-Private Partnerships Group, World Bank
Do you want to know the latest data related to the quality of the legal and regulatory frameworks for preparing, procuring, and managing public-private partnerships (PPPs) and unsolicited proposals (USPs)? The World Bank’s new Benchmarking Infrastructure Development (BID) website may be just the tool for you. This latest database update reveals that out of 140 economies assessed, 60 […]
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Global Director, Finance in the Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation (FCI) Global Practice
National development financial institutions (NDFIs) have emerged as a pivotal tool in advancing the global sustainable development goals (SDGs), including those related to climate action and the environment. Their significance was underscored in 2020 when public development banks launched a joint declaration at the Finance in Common Summit, reaffirming their commitment to the SDGs and […]
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Climate Lead - Gender & Economic Inclusion Department
Companies are getting serious about addressing #climate change, and the most ambitious of them are also looking at #genderequality in the context of climate risks and opportunities. How are women uniquely affected by climate change, and why is their participation key to successful climate action
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Regional Director for Human Development in Middle East and North Africa Region
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Lead Health Specialist, World Bank
Gender equality and women empowerment are not mere slogans, nor is International Women’s Day simply an occasion to celebrate success and highlight challenges. It is an opportunity to reaffirm that investing in women and girls is the right and smart thing to do, allowing countries to reap the significant benefits of the so-called “gender dividend.” […]
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Decarbonization Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Associate Investment Officer, Global Energy, IFC
Latin America is at the forefront of decarbonizing the energy sector, mostly due to the innovation and commitment demonstrated by companies in the region. These energy companies, many of which are IFC clients, are deploying resources and experience in the face of unprecedented climate change impacts to support the penetration of renewable energy, increase access rates, and improve efficiency.
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Senior Municipal Finance Specialist, IFC
In all members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, except Chile, SNGs are permitted to borrow, and they do so on a regular basis to support investment programs and manage liquidity. According to data from the World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment, the average SNG debt in high-income countries in 2022 was approximately 9% of their gross domestic product (GDP).
Floods, heatwaves, drought, and forest fires are only some of the impacts of climate change that are upending lives and livelihoods in Türkiye. These disasters cause loss of life and injuries, displace people, and inflict severe damages to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, roads, and more.
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Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank
During my childhood, I often used to go boating in one of Delhi’s picturesque lakes. I loved the wobbly feeling of standing on the floating jetty before boarding the boat. Little did I know that these age-old platforms could one day play a pivotal role in generating solar power, contributing to India’s transition to renewable energy.
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Global Director for Transport, World Bank
Transportation is a hot topic in the 21st century, touching on topics ranging from achieving net zero emissions to developing inclusive urban infrastructure. But developing inclusive, climate-friendly transportation is expensive. Government budgets are strapped, and in some cases, transport projects are perceived as risky investments that give the private sector pause.
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Global Manager, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory
With International Women’s Day around the corner, governments as well as civil society are negotiating the advancement of women at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. This day is also a sad reminder that equality is far from where it needs to be. Women only enjoy 64% of the same legal protection than men according to the latest Women, Business and the Law report. Women are also disproportionately enduring climate change impacts and are less able to participate in shaping mitigation and adaptation solutions.
In the sphere of sustainable development, financial innovation is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) recently issued its first Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB), setting several precedents along the way, including being the first development bank globally to do so.
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Carbon Trust partners with businesses, governments and financial institutions worldwide to accelerate their journeys to Net Zero.
Discover how businesses tackle carbon emissions through product footprinting, navigate evolving regulations, and build consumer trust with credible climate action.
Promoting women in science is a key focus of the African Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) program, launched in 2014 to support higher skills development in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Mbassally “Sally” Manneh is one of those “Girls in Science” who has successfully achieved her dream to become an architect. Read her inspiring story on Worldbank.org
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Communications Officer, IFC
Türkiye is under high levels of water stress, with 40-88% of its renewable water supply used annually. Development financing provides an opportunity for the private sector to address water scarcity and challenges around it. A blue finance loan by IFC has improved water efficiency in Türkiye’s industrial sector. Click for the full story on IFC.org
Citizens and civil society must be at the center of climate finance to direct funding, implement solutions, and hold decision-makers accountable for effective and equitable climate action. The Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA) is expanding opportunities to demonstrate how civic engagement and civil society leadership can improve development outcomes from climate finance and action — both for mitigation and adaptation. Click for the full story on the World Bank blog.
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Senior Digital Development Specialist
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Global Lead for Digital Safeguards, The World Bank
The shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals has reached a record high in 2023, with about 4 million vacancies worldwide. From incident response and cybercrime prosecution to critical infrastructure protection, every facet of cybersecurity relies on a talented workforce to function effectively. To close the cybersecurity skills gap, we must close the gender gap. Read the full […]
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Regional Gender Anchor and Sustainability Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Sustainability Specialist, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
When the covid-19 pandemic derailed in-person business skills training in Côte d’Ivoire, Bamoussa Sanogo, trainer and senior manager of Africa Business Explorer, pivoted. “With the support of IFC, I earned my advanced master trainer certification and started offering online courses,” he says. This pandemic-era shift enabled his business to grow, while giving local entrepreneurs—especially women—skills they need to succeed.
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IFC - International Finance Corporation
In 2018, the IFC team partnered with the Guinea Ministry of Mines to create an online platform, called the Supplier and Partnership Marketplace—or Bourse de Sous-Traitance et de Partenariats (BSTP), which gives local SMEs access to the supply chains of large mining projects. The work was enabled by a multifaceted Canada-IFC program that supports local economic development linked to energy and mining investment in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Kenya. In May 2023, IFC interviewed Saifoulaye Balde, BSTP Executive Director. Here are excerpts from the conversation.
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Operations Analyst, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Africa Lead, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
Concerned that her children were consuming too many sugary deserts, Rita Aku-Shika Diabah developed a recipe for low and zero-sugar ice creams and started making them on the back porch of her home in Takoradi, Ghana. And in Guinea, a love of trucks and a desire to own her own business drew Lynn Kaba Touré to start a small logistics company.
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Global Director of Gender and Economic Inclusion at IFC
The latest research by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), supports that women in green and climate-related businesses could drive more sustainable impact. One reason for this is that women’s proximity to the impacts of climate change equips them with unique insights. Full story on on Entrepreneur Middle East.
Growing urbanization brings pressing mobility challenges, catalyzing the emergence of smart cities to revolutionize how we travel. Delve into critical insights, data, and innovative solutions that shed light on the path toward more sustainable and resilient urban environments. Read the full article by Gleison Celente on LinkedIn
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Senior Transport Specialist, World Bank Group
São Paulo is the economic powerhouse of Brazil. With a metropolitan population of over 22 million people, it is also the largest city in the Southern hemisphere. But for low-income populations or people with a disability or other minorities with a socio-economic disadvantage, getting around the sprawling metropolis can be a challenge. Learn how the Smart Mobility Program is addressing accessibility in this World Bank blog
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Gerente Regional de Pre-inversión y Asesoría en Infraestructura y Energía para Europa & América Latina, IFC
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Líder de Finanzas Vinculadas a Sostenibilidad y de América Latina y el Caribe en Asesoría en Infraestructura Sostenible, IFC
En una cultura donde los puestos de trabajo suelen definirse en función del sexo, un tema es que las empresas busquen contratar mujeres, y otro más desafiante es obtener resultados que transformen la naturaleza organizaciones de las empresas. Todo comienza por un cambio de percepción para comprender los tipos de trabajo que las mujeres pueden […]
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Regional Manager, Pre-Investment & Advisory, Infrastructure & Energy, Europe & Latin America, IFC
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Sustainability-Linked Finance and Latin America Lead, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
In a culture where job roles are often prescribed based on gender, it’s one thing for a company to emphasize hiring women; it’s another to achieve results that transform the very nature of the company. It all starts with changing hearts and minds about the kinds of jobs women can do. A group of municipal […]
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Senior Editor, The World Bank Group
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Communications Consultant, IFC
Pakistan’s national fish, the Mahseer, became endangered due to illegal fishing and poor river conditions. Now community organizations, and wildlife advocates are collaborating with a hydroelectric company to restore the Mahseer population and conserve the river they all depend on.
Beyond its environmental benefits, offshore wind energy projects also have the potential to deliver significant socioeconomic advantages for the communities involved. Success relies heavily upon harnessing local knowledge and leveraging community engagement. Read the full story by Utilities One
Water is at the center of today’s climate and development challenges. Given that almost half the world’s rivers span national boundaries, transboundary cooperation is critical to building resilience to climate risks, improving water security, and achieving peace and stability. Read more on WorldBank.org
The rapid digital advances of our era increase the probability of deepening the digital divide between those who can benefit from these developments, and marginalized and vulnerable groups who struggle to do so. The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project has embraced the challenge of engaging those often left behind. Read the full story by the World […]
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Executive Director, Transparency & Accountability Initiative
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Digital Inclusion and Europe Lead, Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
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Partner and Global Infrastructure Specialist, HFW
Sustainability-linked finance (SLF) is a significant market in which most incentives have been tied to borrowers’ environmental commitments – the “E” in ESG. We argue that there is untapped potential for companies to be more ambitious on the “G.” Governance targets— that help manage corporate risk and benefit stakeholders.
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Global Director, Gender, The World Bank Group
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Chief Statistician, The World Bank Group
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Director, Gender & Economic Inclusion, IFC
Gender data are key to achieving gender equality and a form of empowerment for women and girls around the world. At the global level, gender data enables policy makers and businesses to take evidence-based decisions that increase women’s well-being, access to economic opportunities and overall development outcomes. Click to read the full story on Worldbank.org.
A clear link exists between economic prosperity and the health of women and children. For business, engaging in global health aligns with strategic economic decisions that promote gender equality, enhance economic growth, and build prosperous societies. Read the full article on businessfightspoverty.org
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
The once notorious Vinča landfill, with its landslides, fires and methane emissions (much more potent than carbon dioxide from a climate perspective) is undergoing a transformation that is reviving both the landscape and the lives of the nearby residents, and Serbia’s capital city.
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Carbon Trust partners with businesses, governments and financial institutions worldwide to accelerate their journeys to Net Zero.
Solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries, all these innovations – and with it, the extraction of minerals and metals – will need to scale if we want to meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and reach Net Zero. Click to read the full blog by The Carbon Trust.
Cheap, plentiful solar power was once a far-off dream. Today, a solar revolution is happening around the world. People, entire economies, and the planet are benefiting. Click to read the full story by The World Bank.
When rain forests are destroyed, we understand what is lost; when hyperinflation wipes out wealth, the costs of economic mismanagement are clear. But what does sustainability look like when people are at stake, when inequality leads to social unrest, or infrastructure projects destroy indigenous communities? In short, what is social sustainability, why does it matter, and how can it be bolstered?
Photo: Jairo Bedoya, World Bank 
There is no denying the urgency of the climate crisis. Yet we overlook a solution readily at our disposal. Nature-based solutions (NbS) that protect, restore and sustainably manage forests and other ecosystems could provide 37% of cost-effective climate change mitigation efforts needed by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement goals and stabilize warming to below 2 degrees Celsius. Click to read the full story by Reuters.
A just transition must ensure an orderly, inclusive and just shift to net-zero emissions and climate resilience that creates decent work opportunities and leaves no one behind. It is important as the impacts of climate change are not distributed equally among everyone. The poorest and most vulnerable are unequally hit by the impacts of extreme weather and long-term changes in climatic conditions. Full story by Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI).
To limit warming to 1.5°C, global emissions need to drop drastically by 2030. This requires systemic change towards a net-zero and resilient economy at an unprecedented scale and pace. A just transition is about leaving no one behind in this shift, protecting livelihoods and maximise the employment benefits of climate action. Full article on C40 Knowledge Hub.
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Gender Lead Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Infrastructure and Gender Specialist, IFC
The shift to a low-carbon future will rely on critical minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobalt, and mining will be key to making the transition a reality. To meet these needs in sustainable ways, mining companies will have to become not only more climate-responsive but also equitable, including increasing women in the workforce, on […]
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Minister of Finance for the Republic of Ghana. Chair of the V20
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Senior Managing Director The World Bank
Amid an escalating climate emergency and a global debt crisis, calls for a new “fit for climate” global financial architecture are growing louder throughout the developing world. The urgent need for decisive action has been underscored by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative, the V20 group of climate-vulnerable countries, and the recent Paris Summit for a New Global Financing […]
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Head of Green Finance The Carbon Trust
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Manager, Net Zero Intelligence The Carbon Trust
Achieving Net Zero requires US$ 125 trillion of finance globally to support the scale up of low-carbon solutions and the transition of high-emitting sectors. How can transition financing mechanisms can be reformed to deliver genuine progress on emissions reductions? Read the full article on The Carbon Trust.
The global climate crisis is only going to worsen, exacting huge tolls on people, urgently needed resources, and local, regional, and national economies unless commitments by governments to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and hit Net Zero by 2050 are met. These commitments continue to be a work in progress, but a more […]
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Senior Managing Director The World Bank
By 2075, nearly one-third of the world’s working-age population – 1.9 billion – will be African. This generation of young people can transform their communities and nations as they enter the workforce. Clean energy can make possible the investments, innovations, and new industries that drive jobs and bring inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all. Read […]
Today’s intertwined crises have brought new challenges for the health of women, children, and adolescents, particularly those in the hardest to reach communities. The tepid post COVID-19 recovery in developing countries, along with shocks such as climate change, fragility, debt distress, food shortages and energy price increases, are constraining fiscal space and burdening already stretched health […]
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Executive Director BRAC Global
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International Managing Director Groupe SOS
If you want to predict the effects of global warming in Europe, just look to Bangladesh. Despite producing merely 0.56% of global CO2 emissions, this country in South Asia is among the most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Floods, storms, intensifying cyclones, rising sea levels: the consequences of the climate crisis are numerous and visible, […]
Approximately 56 percent of the world’s population—or 4.4 billion individuals—lives in a city. The growth of cities is expected to continue, with the urban population more than doubling its current size by 2050, at which point nearly 7 in 10 people will live in cities. If well managed, rapid urbanization presents an opportunity for sustainable growth, […]
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Consultant, Gender & Economic Inclusion Group International Finance Corporation
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Practice Manager, Strategy & Knowledge, Climate Change Group World Bank
We know all too well that the multiple crises facing the world – food insecurity, energy access, global health, conflict and climate change – have disproportionate impacts on the most vulnerable. The frightening reality is that these crises are also splintering our efforts to address critical social development challenges, such as the stubborn gaps that exist between […]
As the world transitions away from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy, justice for Indigenous Peoples in this process needs to be emphasized, not last since a just transition is a requirement in the Paris Agreement. To ensure justice, ethnic minority groups and Indigenous Peoples need to be involved in the decision-making and benefit-sharing, […]
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Executive Director, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
One of the things that keeps me optimistic is that many of the foremost climate leaders influencing political discourse at the local, national, and international levels are under the age of 29. That is why C40 Cities is supporting cities to work with youth on effective climate action that benefits all of us, and why, […]
Shareholders are increasingly aware of Indigenous rights as part of a wider push towards more environmentally and socially responsible mining. The industry has a dark history associated with the treatment of land traditionally inhabited by Indigenous communities, and involvement of Indigenous communities in mining governance could be a meaningful route to partial reconciliation. How can […]
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Produced by World Resources Institute and the Ross Center
Climate change is impacting cities and their residents in many profound ways, from poor air quality to flooding to biodiversity loss and extreme heat. Now, with the help of a new tool, select cities can access localized, integrated data to help build climate resilience and secure a more sustainable and nature-positive future. The new geospatial indicator […]
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Director and Global Head, IFC’s Finance Institutions Group
The demand for investment in the affordable housing sector has never been greater. More than one billion people live in slums globally – a figure that is expected to double by 2030 – and another 1.6 billion live in sub-standard housing. More housing will need to be built between now and 2050 than has been built […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Adriana Maria Eftimie and Mary Dominic dedicate their careers to ensuring the benefits from infrastructure operations are shared equitably within communities, including women and other underserved groups. As part of IFC’s Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, they are working to raise the bar on how infrastructure businesses approach community development and engage stakeholders, particularly women—helping clients close […]
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Global Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Manager of Climate Intelligence, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
We begin with an intriguing question: Can the mining industry produce the minerals and metals that are essential to clean energy technologies, in green and inclusive ways? The short answer: Not yet. In fact, the mining industry is responsible for 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, including smelting and refining activities. Primary production of […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Social and climate issues are often intertwined, particularly in developing countries with vulnerable populations. Through sustainability linked financing (SLF), mining companies can play a vital role in reducing the impacts of climate change with innovative targets to boost operational and community resilience. Read the full story on LinkedIn.
Nature based solutions (NBS) aim to protect, restore, and manage natural ecosystems, often in combination with gray infrastructure, with the objective of strengthening climate resilience while providing environmental and socioeconomic benefits. However, if not designed correctly, women, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and other marginalized groups may face barriers to accessing these benefits. Local and indigenous […]
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Visiting Senior Fellow The London School of Economics and Political Science
The energy transition will require vast amounts of additional mineral extraction… Environmental activists need to ramp up engagement and collaboration with the mining industry if the energy transition is to be secured, however uncomfortable it makes them, argues Daniel Litvin. … He highlights five points to encourage a constructive conversation. Read the full article by […]
Mining companies and stakeholders in the mining sector are increasingly acknowledging the tremendous potential and essential role of women in the minerals industry. The same trend is visible in the international discourse on climate change. This blog explores how women are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental degradation. It looks at how important it […]
Amid all the attention to environmental, social, and governance factors in investing, better known as ESG, there has been relatively little emphasis on governance, and even less on data governance. This is a significant oversight that needs to be addressed, as data governance has a crucial role to play in achieving environmental and social goals. […]
Gender equity and environmental sustainability may seem like unrelated issues, but research shows that they are in fact closely intertwined. Women and other underserved groups are disproportionately impacted by the global climate crisis, but they are also uniquely positioned to lead the fight for sustainability. In this piece, the authors offer six strategies to help […]
In many parts of the world, the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be over and lives are back to pre-pandemic normal. This is not the case for everyone, however. The shadow cast by the pandemic is long and still defines the lives of children, especially in low-and middle-income countries of the world. Read […]
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Digital Inclusion and Europe Lead, Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
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Senior Operations Officer Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
It’s an unfortunate truth: Communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change—many of them located in developing countries and near the operating spheres of infrastructure companies—often have the least access to the information that could help them strengthen their climate resilience. This is a problem of global scale because failure to address local-level climate […]
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UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.
From online learning and digital activism to the rapid expansion of high-paying tech jobs, the digital age has generated unprecedented opportunities for the empowerment of women and girls. But advancing technology is also introducing new forms of inequality and heightened threats to their rights and well-being. Read the full story on UNWomen.org
Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have outperformed many other regions in terms of life expectancy, infant mortality, and tertiary education. Yet, increased educational attainment has not led to an increase in their economic participation. As countries look at measures to bring more women into the workforce, public transport systems must be […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Online learning can offer educational options and professional opportunities to many women in emerging economies who would otherwise face limited choices. New research from IFC, developed in partnership with Coursera and the European Commission, shows that digital education that responds to the needs and circumstances of women in emerging markets “promotes gender equality and offers […]
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Global Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Group Head, Intl Government & Sustainability Relations Anglo American
Newsflash: Sustainability-Linked Finance (SLF) isn’t just about climate. In fact, leading infrastructure companies like Brazil-based energy firm Neoenergia and global mining consortium, Anglo American are embracing the use of key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure their social performance, as part of their SLF frameworks. These social metrics must meet strict requirements to ensure relevance, benchmarkability, […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the tremendous potential of digitalization. Marked by the uptick in digital government-to-people payments and the demand for digital solutions from governments, more and more countries are adopting and adapting to digital technology. From communicating across borders to delivering essential services, digital technology is transforming how people go about their daily […]
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Head of Investor Relations & Sustainable Finance Coordinator IFC
It is frequently asserted that the S in ESG is difficult to define and monitor for impact. BNP Paribas’ 2019 global ESG survey shows that 46% of investors surveyed deemed the ‘S’ to be the most challenging to analyze and incorporate into investing strategies. I frequently made light of the fact that ‘social’ was the […]
The energy sector remains one of the least gender-diverse sectors, and the Caribbean is no exception. Girls tend to be steered away from science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields from as early as primary school years. There remains the prevailing perception of women’s inferiority in performing more technical work and that engineering is a […]
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Research Specialist United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
From a macro-economic perspective, applying a gender-lens to infrastructure development would increase the total GDP in OECD countries by 2.5% by 2050. Developing safe and quality infrastructure that is gender-responsive is therefore vital to an inclusive green economy. While good practices and actions exist, many countries still face multi-faceted challenges, ranging from awareness and capacity to […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
Halting degradation and restoring biodiversity represents an important business opportunity for infrastructure companies, and emerging markets seeking to create new green jobs. This opportunity, estimated at over $6.5 trillion per year, is expected to generate more than 204 million new jobs by 2030. To help companies and investors identify opportunities for biodiversity finance, IFC has […]
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Global Director of the Infrastructure Finance, PPPs & Guarantees Group, World Bank
After spending two weeks at COP27, something that struck me is the triad of urgent needs: supporting the transition to net-zero economies, protecting emerging and developing economies from mounting and increasingly severe climate risks, and promoting universal access to basic services for millions of households around the globe that are left behind. Low-carbon, climate-smart infrastructure […]
Urban areas need a variety of assets called social infrastructure combined with roads and buildings. Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI) solutions harness nature to provide infrastructure service. Nature-based solutions take inspiration from forests, mangroves, wetlands, and grasslands, and the resultant can be engineered or grey structures. Apart from functioning as a basic infrastructure, it enables and supports […]
The mining industry remains one of the world’s biggest polluters, yet it remains a cornerstone of the world’s industries. Digital and data will play a key role in supporting miners to execute sustainability roadmaps, including through providing greater visibility across asset performance and operations, and better monitoring of energy and water consumption. Giles Crosse investigates […]
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Regional Industry Senior Manager for Infrastructure, Europe & Central Asia, IFC
It’s amply clear that building resilience with an eye on sustainable growth is the only way forward in an increasingly uncertain world. Sustainability has already been a priority in emerging Europe. The devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and more recently the extreme drought hitting much of Europe, potentially the worst […]
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Global Director, Gender, The World Bank Group
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Global Director, Climate Change Group, World Bank Group
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Mary Porter Peschka is the Director - Sustainability (ESG) and Gender Solutions at IFC - International Finance Corporation, a part of the World Bank Group.
As leaders gather in Sharm el-Sheikh for COP27, everyone is thinking about how to accelerate global climate action in a world facing multiple crises. Doing this will require greening entire economies and making transformative investments to reduce emissions, scale up adaptation, and build resilience. Women and girls are at the heart of this. Read the […]
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UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.
Gender inequality and the climate crisis are two of the most urgent challenges of today. As we better understand and make the critical connections between gender, social equity and climate change, it’s time we take action towards solutions. From increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making to redistributing care-work and productive resources, progress towards a […]
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The IFC - International Finance Corporation focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries.
The question of how the world finances the transition to net zero by 2050 hangs in the balance. Sustainable finance is the future of finance. However, to avoid ‘sustainability washing,’ issuers and investors must do their homework even more thoroughly to ensure targets are material, ambitious, and robust.
Photo by Antoine GIRET on Unsplash 
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and with little warning, municipalities suddenly faced unique waste management challenges: massive upticks in daily waste volumes combined with curtailed garbage collection and cutbacks in recycling. While workplace waste production fell at the pandemic’s height, household waste rose to a degree that offset the decrease in commercial waste. […]
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash 
The impacts of the climate crisis are rapidly intensifying, as evidenced by deadly heatwaves. Beyond slowing the pace of global warming, we must also protect our communities and adapt to living in a changing climate.
As we build the global climate finance architecture, Indigenous Peoples and local communities must have a seat at the table.
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Global Head of Mining, IFC
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Senior Operations Officer Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
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Manager of Climate Intelligence, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Here’s a sobering truth: To meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the world needs to rapidly transition towards a low-carbon economy. But the question is: How is this going to be accomplished? It will mean doubling down on everything from electric vehicles (EV) to renewable energy sources like wind […]
Companies’ efforts to improve their environmental, social and governance credentials have given birth to a new type of debt – sustainability-linked finance – that links interest rates to ESG performance. But the majority of these instruments’ targets are mostly linked to issuers’ environmental impact, and not the impact they may have on the people they employ or the communities they affect.
With the pandemic bringing social issues to the fore and calls for a just transition to Net Zero, this could soon be about to change.
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Head of Investor Relations & Sustainable Finance Coordinator IFC
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Sustainable Finance Lead, Infrastructure IFC
A remarkable new trend is taking hold in the world of infrastructure finance. Sustainable Finance—investments structured with environmental, social, and governance criteria—saw unprecedented growth in 2021, reaching over $1.6 trillion in total annual issuance and more than doubling 2020 volumes. Why is the rise of Sustainable Finance a big deal? Because it offers tangible evidence […]
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Regional Industry Sr. Manager Latin America & the Caribbean, IFC
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Country Manager Andean Region, IFC
Así es como luce la angustia en redes sociales: “Conozco el caso de una mujer y su hija que están en riesgo. Su pareja las golpea, la amenazó de muerte (…)”. Una muestra más: “Soy madre soltera cabeza de hogar de un joven con discapacidad, ahora estoy sin empleo, no hay subsidio al desempleo, la […]
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Regional Industry Sr. Manager Latin America & the Caribbean, IFC
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Country Manager Andean Region, IFC
The City of Bogota and IFC leveraged “social listening” techniques, analyzing millions of public social media mentions about Covid-19 stresses faced by women.
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Director & Regional Head of Industry, Asia Pacific, Infrastructure, IFC
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Regional Industry Senior Manager for Infrastructure, Europe & Central Asia, IFC
As cities look to realize a future vision of green, resilient, and inclusive urban infrastructure, citizen-centered digital services and solutions are more important than ever.
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Directrice régionale de l'IFC pour les infrastructures et les ressources naturelles en Afrique et au Moyen-Orient
Elles figurent toutes les deux parmi les cheffes d’entreprise qui ont bénéficié d’un programme de soutien aux femmes entrepreneures organisé par IFC et le Canada en Côte d’Ivoire, au Ghana, en Guinée et au Kenya. L’objectif ? Les doter des compétences nécessaires pour tirer parti des débouchés commerciaux offerts par les investissements à grande échelle dans les infrastructures et les ressources naturelles.
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Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure, Middle East & Africa, IFC
A program sponsored by IFC and Canada that supports women entrepreneurs in Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Kenya. It boosts women’s business management skills so they can take advantage of the economic opportunities linked to large infrastructure and natural resource investments.
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Digital Inclusion and Europe Lead, Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
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Upstream Lead Infrastructure, Europe & Central Asia, IFC
Few places on earth have been spared the scourge of COVID-19. But cities—with close living quarters, dense populations, health care centers, markets, train stations and airports—have borne the brunt of the crisis, with higher rates of infection and devastating public and private sector impacts. A recent UN study estimates that urban areas account for 90 […]
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Member of the Advisory Committee of the IFC-Canada Africa Local Economic Development Program
With the entire globe focused on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, every business–along with their finance and development partners—must ask the question “How should we respond? How will we recover? How does this impact our value chains?”
As companies formulate COVID-19 response plans, those which address gender-specific vulnerabilities will amplify their effectiveness. Ultimately, the pandemic reinforces the case for stakeholder capitalism: when business acts in the interests of society, we realize mutual gains, increase shared value, and bolster resilience in ways that were not previously possible.
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Global Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Digital Inclusion and Europe Lead, Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
In our recent blog, we looked at three ways to keep vulnerable segments of the population — women and youth — from being left behind in the digital divide. Digital transformation and the renewed focus on the sustainability of mining offer great opportunities for the industry — it will help companies refresh their brands and […]
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Global Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
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Digital Inclusion and Europe Lead, Sustainable Infra Advisory, IFC
Data is the new gold. You may not wear it on your finger or store it in a bank, but you can use it to stimulate growth, create power, and exert influence. The digital economy, fueled by data, is growing faster than the traditional economy. But unlike talent, opportunity is not distributed equally. Youth in […]
Should renewable energy developers invest in vocational training? Job creation? Home repair? The answer, based on best practice in emerging markets around the world, is unequivocally yes – with community investment designed to match local priorities. The most successful companies in the solar and wind energy sectors are recognizing that the success of their projects […]
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International Finance Corporation
The African continent is endowed with an abundance of resources, both natural as well as human capital.
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Member of the Advisory Committee of the IFC-Canada Africa Local Economic Development Program
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Global Head, National Resources Infrastructure & Natural Resources Advisory, IFC
Transparency. Accountability. Good governance. Are the natural resource sectors there yet? Through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Publish What You Pay, National Resource Governance Institute, and the International Council on Mining and Metals, among others, our understanding of these interrelated goals has evolved. We have learned that transparency alone – simply making information available to the public – […]
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Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan and Pakistan Lead, Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory, IFC
To ensure business success, infrastructure and natural resources projects need to bring clear social and economic benefits to local stakeholders.
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International Finance Corporation
The innovative web platform ‘Municipio al Dia’ (www.municipioaldia.com), promoted by Instituto de Estudios Peruanos (IEP), a Peruvian think tank, and IFC with the support of the Government of Canada, was certified as a Good Practice in Public Management by the prestigious NGO Ciudadanos al Dia. ‘Municipio al Dia,’ a free online information and advisory service […]
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Specialist Leader, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Deloitte Consulting
We seem to be inundated by new, emerging technologies, both physical and digital, plus all the breakthroughs in biotechnology.
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Water Stewardship Specialist WWF International
Last year I was asked to be involved in a joint publication from the International Council for Mining & Metals (ICMM) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which explored the issue of collective action on water resources in the mining sector, with a strong focus on Mongolia. While WWF did not end up authoring the […]
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Mongolia Country Representative Global Green Growth Institute
Ulaanbaatar—Mongolia’s geography and people have long been accustomed to the vagaries of its landlocked, extreme climate.
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Co-Founder WomenEng / WomHub
The African continent is endowed with an abundance of resources, both natural as well as human capital.
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International Finance Corporation
A pioneering initiative implemented by IFC with support from the Government of Canada to promote good governance practices in the highlands of Peru has helped local leaders and municipal authorities prioritize municipal investments for the next 3 years so as to respond to unattended basic local needs. This effort is part of a larger initiative […]
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International Finance Corporation
With support from the Government of Canada and industry partners, IFC has provided thousands of people with training and provided support to dozens of communities to ensure that large-footprint development projects benefit those who live and operate businesses near them. IFC Advisory programs in Latin America, West Africa, and Mongolia have also empowered stakeholders to […]
