Over the past decade, the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest countries, has lent some US$4.7 billion to support investment in environment and natural resource management. This support has helped mitigate air pollution in urban and industrial areas; provide cleaner and more reliable supplies of water; make land management more sustainable; build environmental institutions; deal with climate change, and protect biodiversity. Independent evaluations have shown that IDA lending has been delivered effectively.

Through credits and analytical work, IDA has contributed to the increasing integration of environmental issues in national development strategies, and in the country assistance strategies the World Bank develops with client countries. Environmental safeguards around World Bank projects have evolved and emerged as the global gold standard for environmental assessment and management. The Bank also works closely with environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) through partnerships and implementation agreements.

Download: Envrionment
[PDF, 9-page brief, June 2009]

Centuries of overuse and overgrazing in China's Loess Plateau led to one of the highest erosion rates in the world and widespread poverty.Through the introduction of sustainable farming practices, farmers’ incomes doubled, employment diversified and the degraded environment was revitalized.