The world faces a collective action problem: countries naturally prioritize domestic investments while global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and food crises demand joint action. This creates systemic underinvestment in global public goods. Join country and development leaders at the 2025 Hamburg Sustainability Conference, as they explore ways to reshape the international finance to unlock transformative solutions. Discover the World Bank’s Framework for Financial Incentives and IDA’s Global and Regional Opportunities Window—innovative mechanisms that reward countries for projects with cross-border benefits. From energy transformation to water management, learn how small grants through the new Livable Planet Fund make big global impact possible.
Tag Archives: Sustainability
Rethinking water security in a water-insecure world
“Every time disaster strikes, you rush to bring relief. Why don’t you do more to prevent it?”
The words came from a teenage girl standing amid the devastation of the Odisha Super Cyclone in Eastern India in 1999. At the time, I was a member of the Indian Administrative Service, coordinating relief efforts 48 hours after the storm. Her question cut through the chaos and would shape my life’s work. Relief was necessary, but the real solution lies in building strong, adaptive water systems.
Continue reading‘Absolutely Unacceptable’ COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Developing Countries | The Development Podcast
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“The situation that we see right now is absolutely unacceptable, because a large part of the world remains unvaccinated and this is a danger for all of us,” so warns Mamta Murthi, the World Bank’s Vice President for Human Development.
Investments in human capital require bold financing actions for a resilient recovery
Inclusive investments in health, early childhood development, learning, and women’s economic 
empowerment can contribute to an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable recovery. This was the clear message, focusing on human capital, that the ministers of finance and planning of 81 Human Capital Project HCP countries sent at the last Ministerial Conclave.
With COVID-19, the case for sustainable transport is stronger than ever
As cities gradually exit COVID-19 quarantines and reopen their economies, some
observers are suggesting that public transport might increase contagion risk and that private cars should be considered the only safe alternative.
Putting biodiversity at the heart of IDA’s work
When people talk about biodiversity, it is often through the lens of conservation and the
survival of animal and plant species. But the value drawn from a healthy biosphere is much more than that – it delivers a steady supply of food, water, jobs and livelihoods and helps to regulate climate.
Our oceans are overfished and polluted with plastic; 1 million plant and animal species (out of 8 million) face extinction within decades, according to the latest scientific assessments, and deforestation and soil degradation have reached epic levels.
eC2: NORTH AFRICA Program: Sustainable Blue Economy and Coastal Management for North Africa
Deadline: 23-Dec-2019 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
understanding the political economy drivers and constraints that influence change and cooperation within the countries and regionally, to achieve sustainable blue economy practices and sound management of coastal areas in North Africa;
(iii) Map out challenges, opportunities and priority measures of intervention for sustainable coastal and blue economy practices with stakeholders including potential trade-offs and;
(iiii) Identify gaps in funding and potential interest for additional investments from donors and organizations in the sector.
eC2: Advisory of Sustainable and Smart Cities Solutions in LAC
Deadline: 20-Jul-2019 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
The objective of this consultancy is two-fold. Prepare a pre-feasibility study to explore electric bus and other technological solutions and alternatives for the cities of Cali, Colombia and San Jose, Costa Rica in order to reduce the GHG emission of the transport sector of the cities. In addition, assist the cities to implement EDGE certification pilots for sustainable buildings.
Seychelles Launched Blue Bonds – What are Blue Bonds (FAQs)
What is a Blue Bond?
The blue bond is a debt instrument issued by governments, development banks or others
to raise capital from impact investors to finance marine and ocean-based projects that have positive environmental, economic and climate benefits. The blue bond is inspired by the green bond concept, which people are more familiar with.
Why did Seychelles decide to issue a Blue Bond?
Like many small island states, Seychelles’ economy is highly dependent on the ocean and on fisheries for food, nutrition and livelihoods; marine habitats, and other blue economy sectors such as tourism. After tourism, the fisheries sector is the country’s most important industry, contributing significantly to annual GDP and employing 17% of the population. Fish products make up around 95% of the total value of domestic exports.
eC2: Ethiopia Green Industrialization Project
Deadline: 18-Oct-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
Assignment Description: IFC is seeking a consulting firm in: (i) improving the regulatory and administrative framework for the management of environmental risks in the selected sectors in a way that will enhance the competitiveness of the industries; (ii) strengthening waste management systems including exploring opportunities for recycling and reuse; (iii) explore and develop opportunities for efficient use of resources; and (iv) build institutional capacity to implement, manage and regulate environmental sustainability systems (aligning with Eco-Industrial Park Framework).
Netherlands for the World Bank 
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