The fast spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has resulted in the 
emergence of several hot-spots around the world. Several of these are located in areas associated with high levels of air pollution. This study investigates the relationship between exposure to particulate matter and COVID-19 incidence in 355 municipalities in the Netherlands. The results show that atmospheric particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 is a highly significant predictor of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and related hospital admissions. The estimates suggest that expected COVID-19 cases increase by nearly 100 percent when pollution concentrations increase by 20 percent.
Tag Archives: World Bank Group
eC2: Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines for Regional Marine Plastic Management
Deadline: 04-Jun-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
The World Bank has received financial support from the PROBLUE Multi Donor Trust Fund and intends to use part of the proceeds to integrate gender dimensions into regional government efforts to address plastic production, consumption, and waste management and to mitigate the impact of plastic on marine ecosystems.
The World Bank seeks to contract an experienced consulting firm to conduct a literature review on key gender aspects of marine plastic management within the six participating countries, and to develop practical gender-responsive guidelines that each participating country can integrate in their national marine plastic management strategies and action plans.
The new kids on the block: redefining “critical” minerals essential for a clean energy future
As the world battles the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and mine sites across the 
world delay or suspend operations, we are reminded of Matshona Dhliwayo’s quote: “stars are born out of dark moments.” While the price of most so-called “critical minerals” may be down now, demand for these minerals will rise again, and certainly well before 2050. Indeed, the World Bank Group’s latest report has found that the more ambitious the climate targets become, the more minerals and metals will be needed for a low-carbon future. Continue reading
Weekly Round Up
| 3 phases to build more inclusive, efficient and resilient education systems in the wake of COVID-19
The pandemic has already had profound impacts on education. But it is possible to counter those shocks, and to turn crisis into opportunity. The policy responses to achieve this can be summarized in these three overlapping phases. |
How COVID-19 is changing the world: a statistical perspective from international agencies
We are living through unprecedented times. The impact of the novel coronavirus and its 
disease, COVID-19, has reverberated through every corner of the globe—taking lives, destroying livelihoods, and changing everything about how we interact with each other and the world.
At a time of crisis, governments more than ever must rely on timely, reliable data to make decisions to mitigate harm and support their citizens. What’s more,
eC2: China Agricultural Weather Index-based Insurance (WII) Project-WII Product Design and
Deadline: 28-May-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
The project team is seeking the services of a vendor/consultant with proven track records in designing successful agricultural Weather Index Insurance products in the China market, and having strong expertise in weather/loss data collection, processing, analysis, WII product modeling, pricing and conducting related research etc.
Human capital and climate action: Outcomes that deliver for people and planet
There is now a wealth of evidence that ensuring a well-educated, healthy, and well-
nourished population can pay bigger dividends to the economy than investing in roads and bridges alone. The World Bank Group’s Human Capital Project, launched in 2018, aims to accelerate more and better investments in people as a key way to unlock greater equity and inclusive growth.
eC2: Technical Consultant – Scaling Wind PPP
Deadline: 19-May-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
IFC Advisory is looking to appoint an international firm as a technical consultant to replicate the Scaling Solar model through a new Scaling Wind product which further simplifies the technical requirements while still ensuring the highest quality of the resulting windfarms. IFC Advisory is seeking a Consultant (or consortium of Consultants) to adapt the technical requirements of the Scaling Solar documentation for wind. A parallel assignment is underway to modify the legal documents and it is expected that the present technical work will intersect with that effort.
Coronavirus Live Series: Supporting Companies and Preserving Jobs through the Pandemic
May 06, 2020 – Virtual – Online
The economic impact of #COVID19 will hit developing countries hard. What can be done to support companies and preserve jobs? Join IFC’s Chief Operating Officer, Stephanie von Friedeburg, for discussion on the topic.
eC2: Consultant for a Review of Operations of a Donor Funded PPP Program in ECA
Deadline: 25-May-2020 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) 
IFCs Transaction Advisory Services in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is a donor-funded program, which provides technical assistance and advisory services to public-sector clients in countries in the ECA region, aiming to:
contribute to poverty alleviation, economic growth, and environmental improvement through PPP;
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