(October 20, 2009) Stimulus packages aside, the so-called “Great Recession” is forcing government leaders across the world to look for ways to cut back on the cost of public services. No sector, or service, will be spared they say. But Carl Mortishead, writing in The Times, reports there is one government office in the UK that—far from being forced to trim costs—will be given a larger budget: The Department for International Development (DfID), the British government’s foreign aid flagship.
Three Gorges Dam is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions
(October 14, 2009) The operators of the Three Gorges dam may soon have to answer to criticisms over its environmental credentials, as a recent study in the Journal of Geophysical Research says the marshlands created during the draining of the dam’s reservoir may be major a emitter of greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon credit scams add to the growing list of alleged fraud cases
(October 6, 2009) Officials in at least five European countries are investigating an international carbon credit scam considered to be worth more than $1.5 billion. According to a recent report for the Guardian, the scam was originally coordinated by gangs in Britain and Spain who bought and sold emissions allowances across borders in order to avoid paying Value Added Tax (VAT).
More money, more problems: The World Bank’s way
(September 25, 2009) In the wake of recent financial crisis, the World Bank called on the developed world to drastically increase lending to developing nations. Robert Zoellick and company say that countries in Africa and other parts of the developing world need this money to combat rising levels of poverty and an economic collapse.
China begins tweaking the price of electricity
(September 22, 2009) The Chinese government is playing economic games with the country’s electricity rates, announcing recently that it is planning to raise hydropower prices. According to Zhang Guobao, the new hydropower electricity prices will be raised in order to “subsidize” residents who were forced off their land to make way for the projects.
Who to blame? UN wants to make auditors of carbon credit projects liable for their work
(September 21, 2009) The UN’s new plan to help regulate the carbon market will make auditors liable for their work, writes Brady Yauch.
The Chinese government is not telling the whole truth about the cost of the Three Gorges dam
(September 18, 2009) The Chinese government is vastly underestimating the costs of the Three Gorges dam, says Probe International.
More odious debts for the Democratic Republic of Congo if the World Bank gets its way
World Bank President Robert Zoellick is urging the Democratic Republic of Congo to pursue better governance as a way to entice more companies to build dams in the country. In his sights are the rehabilitation of the notoriously dysfunctional Inga 1 and 2 dams. But it’s projects like these that will create more odious debts for the country’s citizens.
At what cost are carbon credits funding hydro projects in the developing world
(August 7, 2009) The Carbon Development Mechanism (CDM), a market-based tool developed by the UN to cut green house gas emissions, may be heralding a boon in hydro development projects in China and the developing world – and doing so at the cost of the environment and local landowners. As policy makers and environmentalists across the globe prepare for the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this winter, criticisms of carbon credit schemes like the CDM are begining to surface.
Obama’s plan to override Congressional conditions for US funding of World Bank is overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers
(July 17, 2009) President Obama recently received a harsh lesson from Congress after he decided to openly ignore some of the environmental, labour and transparency regulations attached to funds allocated for the World Bank and IMF. Worse still for the President, the indictment came from both sides of the aisle—with 429-2 voting to negate the recent signing statement.
Finding the leaks in Kenya’s water sector
(June 24, 2009) After receiving loans from the World Bank last year, a recent report by Transparency International(TI) says Kenya’s water sector is riddled with corruption and inefficiencies—an allegation that the government seems to admit.
Chinese citizens respond to environment ministry’s suspension of dam projects along upper Yangtze
(June 19, 2009) In response to the environment ministry’s suspension of two major hydro projects along the upper Yangtze last week, citizens groups issued a statement with photos, questioning temporary suspensions and calling for a halt to dam projects along the upper Yangtze (known as Jinsha).
World Bank seeks to increase lending to the developing world
(June 15, 2009) As the economic crisis continues to work its way through the global economic system, the World Bank is using the slowdown as an opportunity to increase lending to the developing world. According to the bank’s president, Robert Zoellick, the bank will increase its lending by $100 billion over the next three years. In 2009 alone, the bank plans to triple its lending from $13.5-billion to $35-billion.
African leaders call for the DIY approach
(June 6, 2009) As the economic crisis continues to work its way across the globe, the plight of African countries has been used as a reason for increasing foreign aid to the developing world. But a new tone has taken root amongst lawmakers in Africa, with a number of African leaders saying its time for leaders across the continent to find ways to fix problems without relying so heavily on foreign aid.
China’s economic stimulus package raises environmental concerns
(June 8, 2009) China’s minister of environmental protection, Zhou Shengxian, has expressed concern that the country’s economic stimulus plan will have a negative impact on the environment. In an interview with China Daily, Zhou warned that he will push his 200-odd staff ministry into an all-out “warfare” to promote environmental and green initiatives and policies.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
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