This paper analyzes the economic,
distributional, and environmental impact that energy subsidy
reductions and alternative compensating mechanisms might
have in Mexico. To achieve that goal, author use a
computable general equilibrium model of the Mexican economy.
They make several important changes to the original model to
build the energy subsidies (to gasoline, diesel, electricity
and liquefied petroleum gas) into the benchmark and then do

This paper surveys the current state of
knowledge concerning the value of the Amazon rainforest,
including a survey of work to date to quantify changes in
economic values when the rainforest cover changes. The focus
is on local and regional impacts of forest loss or
protection, including both gross values of forest protection
and opportunity costs of converting the forest to other uses
including agriculture. Important gross value items surveyed

"Ecosystem services" has
become a catch-phrase for the complex connections between
the natural environment and human well-being. This paper
considers the impact of changes in the supply of ecosystem
services, and programs to increase their supply, on
near-term growth of gross domestic product. It focuses on
the relationship between locally generated versus
transboundary services and growth in developing countries,

This document provides an overview of
baseline setting for greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting
mechanisms. The first section briefly explains the general
purpose and objectives of setting a crediting mechanism
baseline. The second section summarizes key policy
considerations in defining and setting baselines. The final
section covers important technical elements of baselines and
provides an overview of various methods that can be used to

This overview of climate change
activities in Tajikistan is part of a series of country
notes for five Central Asian countries that summarize
climate portfolio of the major development partners in a
number of climate-sensitive sectors, namely energy,
agriculture, forestry and natural resources, water, health,
and transport. Recognizing the nature and significance of
climate change contribution to an increase in disaster risk,

This report evaluates the outcomes of
World Bank Group support to Liberia from its post-war
reengagement in 2003 through 2011. The country has moved
from total disarray to a solid foundation for inclusive
development. Although development has not moved forward as
quickly as hoped, substantial progress has been made. Public
finance and key institutions have been rebuilt; crucial
transport facilities have been restored; and hospitals,

This paper reviews Pakistan's
agriculture performance and analyzes its agriculture and
water policies. It discusses the nature of rural poverty and
emphasizes the reasons why agricultural growth is a critical
component to any pro-poor growth strategy for Pakistan. It
supports these arguments by summarizing key results from
recent empirical analysis where the relative benefits of
agricultural versus non-agricultural led growth are

This note presents an overview of
Mexico's forthcoming reform agenda-from the World
Bank's vantage point. It distills the main messages in
the policy notes that make up this compendium. The purpose
is not to provide definitive answers to the many policy
questions likely to occupy the New Mexican administration,
or to provide a comprehensive account of progress to date
and policy recommendations. Instead, it is to provide a view

Local benefit sharing in hydropower
projects can be defined as the systematic efforts by project
proponents to sustainably benefit local communities affected
by hydropower investments. Benefit sharing is a promising
approach for implementing hydropower projects sustainably,
and is emerging as a supplement to the requirements of
compensation and mitigation. Benefit sharing can provide
equitable development, sustainability, and smooth project

After five consecutive years of robust growth, the total value of the global carbon market stalled at $142 billion. Suffering from the lack of post-2012 regulatory clarity, the value of the primary Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) market fell by double-digits for the third year in a row, ending lower than it was in 2005, the first year of the Kyoto protocol. The Assigned Amount Unit (AAU) and the United States Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) markets shrank as well.

"Getting the prices right" is
a good starting point but is not sufficient for achieving
environmentally efficient outcomes. Other policy
interventions are often necessary to complement pricing
policies. Moreover, when pricing is not at all feasible,
regulatory and command-and-control policies must be used
instead. This paper focuses on three interrelated themes at
the core of the pricing problem. First, there is the

This report presents findings from a
field-based survey on the conduct of agricultural operations
at 39 large-scale, mature agribusiness investments in
sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The objective of the
report is to provide first-hand, practical knowledge of the
approach, behavior, and experience of these investments,
their relationships with surrounding communities and the
consequent positive and/or negative outcomes for these