This evaluation is the first of a series
that seeks lessons from the World Bank Group's
experience on how to carve out a sustainable growth path.
The World Bank Group has never had an explicit corporate
strategy on climate change against which evaluative
assessments could be made. However, a premise of this
evaluation series is that many of the climate-oriented
policies and investments under discussion have close

Global climate change is occurring at an
accelerating pace, and the global greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions that are forcing climate change continue to
increase. Given the present pace of international actions,
it seems unlikely that atmospheric composition can be
stabilized at a level that will avoid "dangerous
anthropogenic interference" with the climate system, as
called for in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The 2009 edition of the little green
data book includes a focus section, four introductory pages
that focus on a specific issue related to development and
the environment. This year the focus is on urban areas and
the environment, exploring how cities and climate change are
affecting the way we live and how good public policies can
improve prospects for future generations. Urbanization and
economic growth move in tandem. As emerging market economies

The Strategic Environmental and Social
Assessment (SESA) of the mining sector in Sierra Leone was
undertaken in response to the Government of Sierra
Leone's (GOSL) request for assistance in developing its
minerals policy. The SESA will help meet long-term country
development by integrating environmental and social
considerations in mining sector reforms. The crucial aspect
of the SESA process is that the environmental and social

This study, the first to concentrate on
Bangladesh's energy systems and their effects on the
lives of rural people, drew on these background studies, as
well as other World Bank-financed research on IAP and rural
infrastructure, to present a rural energy strategy for the
country. The study's broad aim was to identify ways to
improve the living standard in rural Bangladesh through
better and more efficient use of energy, while creating an

This report is the primary output from
the climate change impact and adaptation study for the
Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) produced for the Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with financial support
provided by the World Bank. The report concerns climate
change, and provides an analysis of climate change impacts
and adaptation options for the BMR. In addition to the more
general matters on the physical setting and socioeconomics

There is growing clamor in industrial
countries for additional border taxes on imports from
countries with lower carbon prices. The authors confirm the
findings of other research that unilateral emissions cuts by
industrial countries will have minimal carbon leakage
effects. However, output and exports of energy-intensive
manufactures are projected to decline potentially creating
pressure for trade action. A key factor affecting the impact

Balochistan offers some of the best
assets for development. Balochistan is generously bestowed
with natural and locational resources. It possesses the
largest land area of any province of Pakistan, proving vast
rangeland for goats, sheep, buffaloes, cattle, camels and
other livestock. Its southern border makes up about two
thirds of the national coastline, giving access to a large
pool of fishery resources. As a frontier province, it is

This learning note prepares policymakers
to engage with their technical experts and staff in
designing and implementing an evidence-informed response to
the challenges of existing and future slum settlements. To
that end, the note discusses a set of indicators and data
analysis techniques needed in the identification and
characterization of slums as well as relevant lessons and
examples. In addition, the noted discusses the data

This study reviews the prospects of wind
power at the global level. Existing studies indicate that
the earth's wind energy supply potential significantly
exceeds global energy demand. Yet, only 1 percent of the
global electricity demand is currently derived from wind
power despite 40 percent annual growth in wind generating
capacity over the past 25 years. More than 98 percent of
total current wind power capacity is installed in the

This report provides a complete and
comprehensive analysis of industrial wastewater management
in industrial estates and craft villages in Vietnam. The
analysis was conducted in three separate stages: 1) a
detailed inventory of industries and industrial activities
responsible for the pollution of the Nhue-Day river basin,
including industrial zones, industrial clusters, industrial
points, craft villages and large-scale stand alone

Based on analysis of recent data on the
evolution of global temperatures, snow and ice covers, and
sea level rise, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) has recently declared that "warming of
the climate system is unequivocal." Global surface
temperatures, in particular, have increased during the past
50 years at twice the speed observed during the first half
of the 20th century. The IPCC has also concluded that with