In fiscal 2005 and 2006, International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA)’s development priorities focused on:

• poverty reduction and debt relief
• development of a strategy to work with Middle Income Countries
• a renewed focus on Africa
• addressing natural disasters through prevention and reconstruction
• tackling the need for clean energy and combating climate change.
  

Combating climate change, while meeting our global energy demands and supporting sustainable growth, is a critical challenge. The World Bank is promoting access to modern energy services to the poor; examining the barriers to increased investments in clean and efficient technologies; supporting growth while transitioning to low-carbon economies; and seeking ways to protect vulnerable communities from extreme climate variability.

In particular, the World Bank is integrating climate change considerations into the sustainable development agenda through its energy investment portfolio and vibrant carbon finance business; and with a climate change program that targets mitigation through energy sector policy reform, works with our partners to develop alternative energy, and supports tools for adaptation to increasing climate variability.

In 2006, the World Bank integrated two vice presidencies, Infrastructure and Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, and called the new network, Sustainable Development. The purpose of consolidating the two is to ensure that the World Bank strengthens its focus on sustainable development as it increases its support for infrastructure. The goals of the Sustainable Development Network are to provide environmentally and socially sound economic opportunities in developing countries through agriculture and rural development, sustainable energy sources, sustainable transport services, access to clean water and sanitation services, and urban development.

The World Bank is intensifying its initiatives to improve our accountability and results on the ground. All World Bank loans are governed by policies designed to ensure that projects are consistent with our mission, corporate priorities, and strategic goals. The 11 Safeguard Policies and the disclosure policy were established to keep our projects from having unintended adverse effects. The Quality Assurance and Compliance Unit (QACU) ensures that these policies are implemented consistently across the Bank. An independent Inspection Panel provides a forum for private citizens who believe they have been or could be directly harmed by projects financed by the World Bank. The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), an separate unit within the World Bank that reports directly to the Board of Directors, assesses what works and what does not, how borrowers plan to run and maintain projects, and the lasting contribution of the Bank to a country’s overall development.

The World Bank tracks its environmental footprint—the environmental impacts of its staff, buildings, and everyday activities. We are committed to reducing our facilities’ impact and are doing so through Energy Star accreditation, LEED certification, purchasing environmentally preferred products, and recycling and composting programs. We have also become carbon neutral in our headquarters facilities with a program of energy efficiency initiatives and purchases of renewable energy certificates and carbon credits.

The World Bank is committed to social responsibility and promotes diversity, ethics, health and safety, and employee satisfaction within the workforce. The World Bank has an active community outreach program, which includes contributions to disaster relief, community activities and education, and grants to not-for-profit groups.