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Publication
Financing Energy Efficiency : Lessons from Brazil, China, India, and Beyond
(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2008)Energy for heating, cooling, lighting, mechanical power, and various chemical processes is a fundamental requirement for both daily life and economic development. The negative impact on the environment of current energy systems is increasingly alarming, especially the global warming consequences of burning fossil fuels. The future requires change through the development and adoption of new supply technologies, through a successful search for new, less resource-intensive paths of economic development, and through adoption of energy. Greater energy efficiency is key for shifting country development paths toward lower-carbon economic growth. Especially in developing countries and transition economies, vast potential for energy savings opportunities remain unrealized even though current financial returns are strong. Activities included specialized technical assistance, training, and applied research covering the four primary areas of country interest: (a) development of commercial banking windows for energy efficiency; (b) support for developing energy service companies (ESCOs); (c) guarantee funds for energy efficiency investment financing; and (d) equity funding for ESCOs or energy efficiency projects. One clear message from the experience of the three country Energy Efficiency Project is the importance of establishing and maintaining practical, operationally focused dialogue between the banking community and the energy efficiency practitioner community. -
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Revisiting Ecuador's Economic and Social Agenda in an Evolving Landscape
(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2008)The policy notes for Ecuador are part of a series of books that the Bank prepares periodically summarizing its accumulated knowledge on the economic and social issues of member countries. The timing of the notes, early 2007, coincides with a new presidential period, which offers the country the opportunity to consolidate many of the gains of the past few years, while building the basis for a more dynamic, equitable and inclusive growth process. The analysis contained in the policy notes indicates that Ecuador is a country with great potential, with a society that has exhibited incredible resilience and the ability to adapt to new challenges. The Ecuadoran society has overcome adversity with great determination in the past few years. Periodic economic crises, external shocks, and even natural disasters tested the country's ability to cope with difficulties. Despite these challenges, the country has maintained a forward-looking perspective and has achieved some important goals. Economic stability in the past few years has given Ecuador the opportunity for a period of sustained economic growth. During this period several development indicators have improved, and several sectors of the economy have demonstrated the dynamism and entrepreneurship that are present the Ecuadoran culture. In general, surveys show that Ecuadorans feel that their individual conditions are likely to improve in the future. The notes cover many areas and subjects but are grouped into three broad themes: preserving stability and accelerating growth, promoting sustainable and equitable social development, and improving governance and strengthening institutions. The remainder of this chapter summarizes the main findings and recommendations of the policy notes. -
Publication
An Opportunity for a Different Peru : Prosperous, Equitable, and Governable
(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2007)This book argues that Peru faces an unprecedented opportunity to become the next success story in Latin America. In the coming five years, policy making could put the country on a development path similar to the one that, say, Chile, Costa Rica, or Spain have followed over the last two decades. This book includes 32 sector-specific chapters and 2 historical perspectives that precede them. The beginning chapter, a synthesis, builds a comprehensive reform agenda that highlights possible sequencing and priorities. It is organized in five sections-the main messages, the three strategic challenges in Peru's development, and a path for action over the next five years. -
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The Microeconomics of Income Distribution Dynamics in East Asia and Latin America
(Washington, DC: World Bank and Oxford University Press, 2005)This volume presents a collection of studies on the dynamics of income inequality based on micro data. Using a simple but powerful empirical methodology, the authors analyze the roles of prices, occupational choice, and educational choice in accounting for household income and its contribution to inequality. It casts doubt on the grand theories of growth and income inequality that have dominated discussions in development economics. It paves the way for a full-blown, micro-based general equilibrium theory of income determination and income inequality. -
Publication
Rolling Back Malaria : The World Bank Global Strategy and Booster Program
(Washington, DC, 2005)This report translates the Bank's corporate commitment into increased efforts to control malaria. It lays the basis for a Booster Program for Malaria Control, through which the Bank will make an important contribution to malaria control in the years ahead. This effort will be undertaken in support of country-led programs, and in partnership with community service organizations, specialized agencies, and financiers of malaria control at all levels. Consistent with the new Global Strategic Plan of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, the Bank's work will combine measures to increase coverage of malaria-specific interventions with effective service delivery, broader health-system development, and capacity building across multiple sectors. The new business model combines an emphasis on outcomes with flexibility in approaches. Products and services related to malaria control will be tailored to client segments, in order to meet the needs of countries, and deploy the Bank's comparative advantages, while strengthening collaboration with partner agencies, co-financiers, and civil society. In the short to medium term, the new Booster Program for Malaria Control will provide increased financing, and technical support to accelerate program design and implementation, increase coverage, and improve outcomes rapidly. Henceforth, malaria control will be mainstreamed into the Poverty Reduction Strategies, and large sector-development programs that emphasize outcomes. -
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Brazil : Equitable, Competitive, Sustainable--Contributions for Debate
(Washington, DC, 2004)This volume presents a set of Policy Notes prepared by the World Bank's Brazil Team with partners during 2002 as a contribution for the debate of policies by the new federal and state governments elected in October 2002. The objectives of making these Policy Notes available to a broader audience is twofold. It could contribute to the discussion in Brazil and elsewhere about public policies to be formulated by the Brazilian governments for the period 2003-2006, and beyond. It could also serve as a vehicle to exchange lessons of experience from Brazil to the rest of the world and vice versa. Since the Policy Notes were written for an incoming administration that would be well familiar with recent developments in Brazil, they do not attempt a comprehensive assessment of Brazil's impressive recent progress but rather focus on the challenges in areas where World Bank and related partner experience appears relevant. The Policy Notes were prepared during 2002, a period during which economic uncertainties mounted ahead of the presidential elections of October 2002. They do not reflect information on the important policy discussions and developments after the elections. These notes do not deal with all policy issues of relevance for Brazil. Even on those issues which are addressed, the assessment may be focused on specific aspects. The selection of topics and the emphasis in the Policy Notes are, thus, driven by policy priorities and their timeliness. The Policy Notes do not attempt to present a comprehensive policy agenda; rather, they are meant to constitute timely contributions for discussions. The initial objective was to pull together findings of past World Bank Group studies, based on numerous other work by Brazilian and international authors, and experiences on Brazil, as well as relevant international experiences, and make them available to the new governments in a synthetic form. -
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Environment Matters at the World Bank : Annual Review 2004
(Washington, DC, 2004)This Annual Review of Environment Matters, dedicated to Economic Growth and the Environment, brings together a wide variety of external and internal viewpoints on the challenges ahead, and the progress that is taking place. In this issue, three major partner countries-China, India and Mexico-present their perspectives. Among other topics, this edition features the Bank's recent research on what happens to environment during growth, and the different tools available to promote environmentally, and socially sustainable economic growth. It also includes reviews of the Bank's environmental programs in developing countries and its global engagement. The review includes viewpoints on the environment and competitiveness; on harmonizing environmental concerns and economic growth from the Indian perspective; integrating rapid growth and environmental protection as a challenge for China; mainstreaming and infrastructure; and, health-driven environmental issues. Moreover, the review features articles such as the environment during growth - accounting for governance and vulnerability, on sustainable development and policy reform, on energy, climate change, and development, and, on the elements of sustainable infrastructure. Other subjects include regional articles, and institutional perspectives by the International Development Association (IFC) and the World Bank Institute (WBI). -
Publication
Toward Country-led Development : A Multi-Partner Evaluation of the Comprehensive Development Framework--Findings from Six Country Case Studies
(Washington, DC, 2003)Collectively, the six country case studies provide an unusually rich source of material on the local dynamics of the aid business and the realities that countries face when they try to adopt CDF principles in earnest. In order to make this material more accessible (full case studies are over 70 pages), OED has summarized each study to about 15 pages and gathered all six summaries into this volume, which is intended to complement the main synthesis report for the CDF evaluation, Toward Country-Led Development: A Multi-Partner Evaluation of the Comprehensive Development Framework. This volume can also be used alone, to enrich the discussion of development assistance in a particular case study country or as a basis for comparing country experiences. Since the main purpose of the CDF evaluation was to look at what had happened since the CDF was launched, priority was given to interested countries where pilot implementation of the CDF was the most advanced (on the grounds that these countries would offer the greatest potential for learning). Consideration was also given to Regional balance. One non-CDF pilot country (Burkina Faso) was chosen as a control. -
Publication
World Bank Economists' Forum : Volume 1
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2001-03-31)The first World Bank Economists' Forum was held on May 3-4, 1999. The forum attempts to answer these questions: How do you recognize a hidden fiscal crisis? When capital flows are volatile, what types of policy announcements can help fend off currency crises? Do government training programs for unemployed workers have an effect? What infrastructure investments reduce infant mortality? This book collects nine outstanding papers presented at the forum. The main theme surveyed in this book include fiscal policy, capital flows, trade, decentralization, labor markets, infrastructure, health, and worker training. The second volume collects eight more papers, concerned with household behavior and health, communities and welfare, local governments and basic services, and firms and governments under uncertainty.