Book Description

Filling the need for access to modern energy sources has the potential to substantially increase world-wide economic growth, creating markets in the developing world for products from the developed world, and vice versa. It may also result in environmental problems that could threaten development, including an increase in pollution that damages fisheries, reduces farm fertility, poses health risks, and contributes to climate change. In response to these risks, the World Bank Group (WBG) has reported its intentions to revise its strategy for energy and infrastructure lending to better address energy poverty alleviation and environmentally sustainable development. After releasing an Energy Strategy Approach Paper in Oct. 2009, and consulting with government and civil society stakeholders from Jan. 2010 to July 2010, a strategy document, Energizing Sustainable Development: Energy Sector Strategy of the World Bank Group (ESS), was presented to the WBG Comm. on Development Effectiveness (CODE) on April 11, 2011, for consent and subsequent delivery to the WBG Board of Exec. Dirs. for a vote during the summer of 2011. A decision is pending. Contents of this report: (1) Introduction; (2) Energy Sector Lending at the World Bank; Current Practices; Critiques: Developing Countries; Developed Countries; Environmental Groups; (3) The World Bank Group's "Energy Sector Strategy": Timeline; Provisions; Reactions to the Strategy: Developing Countries; Developed Countries; Environmental Groups; (4) Issues for Congress; (5) Appendices. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.