(April 1, 2008) The recently proposed climate investment funds to be administered by the World Bank are under heavy fire for proposing a governance structure that replicates the inequities of the Bank’s board, undermines the UN framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) and fails to clarify whether money to these funds would be additional to G8 commitments on overseas development aid. Meanwhile World Bank’s support for coal-fired power generation is on the increase.
A Realistic Policy on International Carbon Offsets
(April 1, 2008) As the United States designs its strategy for regulating emissions of greenhouse gases, two central issues have emerged. One is how to limit the cost of compliance while still maintaining environmental integrity. The other is how to “engage” developing countries in serious efforts to limit emissions. Industry and economists are rightly concerned about cost control yet have found it difficult to mobilize adequate political support for control mechanisms such as a “safety valve;” they also rightly caution that currently popular ideas such as a Fed-like Carbon Board are not sufficiently fleshed out to reliably play a role akin to a safety valve.
New Estimates of Capital Flight from Sub-Saharan African Countries: Linkages with External Borrowing and Policy Options
(April 1, 2008) Over the past decades, African countries have been forced by external debt burdens to undertake painful economic adjustments while devoting scarce foreign exchange to debt-service payments. On the other hand, African countries have experienced massive outflows of private capital towards Western financial centers. Indeed, these private assets surpass the continent’s foreign liabilities, ironically making sub-Saharan Africa a “net creditor” to the rest of the world.
Kennedy Jr. lobbies hard against Chile dam project
(April 1, 2008) HidroAysén project a threat to Chile’s “pride and soul” says NRDC attorney
Planned Lao dam raises concerns on the Mekong
(March 28, 2008) The Lao government’s decision earlier this year to press ahead with plans to build the Don Sahong dam on the mainstream of the Mekong River in southern Laos is causing major concern in Cambodia and internationally.
China attracts private companies to provide clean water
(March 27, 2008) When Chen Xiangwen first moved to Beijing eight years ago, she expected to be able to drink the tap water. After all, she was living in a city about to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
World Bank funds Kenya’s ‘culture of corruption’
(March 26, 2008) World Bank funding has been called out as a large contributor to Kenya’s ‘culture of corruption’ in the wake of last year’s presidential election crisis.
China Southern Power Grid Company’s hydro project in Cambodia threatens forests, indigenous farmers
(March 26, 2008) Indigenous farmers and forests are threatened by one of at least four Chinese-funded hydropower projects approved by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over the last two years, Reuters reported on March 26.
Chad’s checkmate
(March 26, 2008) World bank system to safeguard oil revenues hasn’t exactly worked as expected.
China Southern Power Grid Company’s hydro project in Cambodia threatens forests, indigenous farmers
(March 26, 2008) Indigenous farmers and forests are threatened by one of at least four Chinese-funded hydropower projects approved by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over the last two years, Reuters reported on March 26.
PI Report: Electricity of Vietnam urged to rethink hydro operations on Mekong tributary
(March 26, 2008) This environmental impact assessment review by Probe International and Phnom Penh-based NGO Forum on Cambodia recommends that Electricity of Vietnam consider switching from peaking to base load operations at its upper Se San hydro dams to ease impacts in downstream Cambodia. Additional recommendations, photos, and statements from affected community leaders in Cambodia included.
Electricity of Vietnam urged to rethink hydro operations on Mekong tributary
(March 26, 2008) This environmental impact assessment review by Probe International and Phnom Penh-based NGO Forum on Cambodia recommends that Electricity of Vietnam consider switching from peaking to base load operations at its upper Se San hydro dams to ease impacts in downstream Cambodia.
The Impact of Environmental Justice Advocacy in China
(March 26, 2008) Justice and Legal Reform in China Conference
China’s Three Gorges Dam: An Environmental Catastrophe?
(March 25, 2008) Even the Chinese government suspects the massive dam may cause significant environmental damage.
Vietnam will suffer electricity shortages until monopoly removed, says energy industry leader
(March 20, 2008) We need to create a real electricity market and remove the monopoly," Vietnam Energy Association Chairman, Tran Viet Ngai, said earlier this year in response to the country’s chronic power shortages. "The biggest problem right now is Electricity of Vietnam controls all the generation, distribution and investment."
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
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Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
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