Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the biodiversity sector, but it emphasizes the critical need for investment in biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices to mitigate risks associated with biodiversity loss [3][8]. Core Insights - Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services that support human well-being and economic stability, yet it is declining at an unprecedented rate due to human activities [1][3]. - The economic value generated from nature and its services is estimated at US$44 trillion, indicating that over half of the world's GDP is dependent on biodiversity [3]. - Global efforts to address biodiversity loss have been insufficient, with most targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) not being fully achieved [7][8]. - The World Bank Group plays a significant role in addressing biodiversity challenges through financing, policy engagement, and the promotion of nature-smart investments [13][14]. Summary by Sections Background and Context - Biodiversity loss is occurring at rates tens to hundreds of times higher than historical averages, with global wildlife populations declining by two-thirds over the past 50 years [1][3]. - The interconnection between biodiversity and climate change is highlighted, with ecosystems acting as natural carbon sinks [6]. Economic Implications - Biodiversity loss threatens food security and the resilience of agricultural systems, with 75% of food crops relying on pollination valued between US$235 billion and US$577 billion annually [5][3]. - The report underscores the economic risks associated with biodiversity loss, estimating that US$44 trillion of economic value generation is moderately or highly dependent on nature [3]. Global Efforts and Frameworks - The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050, with targets to conserve at least 30% of Earth's land and ocean by 2030 [8][9]. - The report notes that effective conservation efforts must engage Indigenous peoples and local communities, as they play a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity [9][10]. Role of the World Bank Group - The World Bank Group has been addressing biodiversity loss since 1990, focusing on conservation and integrating biodiversity considerations into national policies and financing projects [13][14]. - The report emphasizes the need for a whole-of-economy approach to biodiversity, scaling up financing and implementing equitable measures to address the biodiversity crisis [14][15]. Evaluation Purpose and Scope - The evaluation aims to assess the World Bank Group's performance in supporting biodiversity conservation and integrating biodiversity considerations in key production sectors [15][16]. - It will focus on the relevance and effectiveness of the Bank Group's support, with a particular emphasis on country-level impacts [15][16].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The World Bank has a comparative advantage in development knowledge, which is valued by countries and partners, helping to attract funding and new business [2][3] - The World Bank aims to promote the use of the best global and country knowledge to inform operations, contributing directly and indirectly to outcomes [3][4] - Managing knowledge within the World Bank is complex, with various strategies and reforms implemented over the years to enhance global knowledge flows [4][7] - The new Knowledge Compact for Action aims to transform the World Bank's approach to knowledge, creating a dynamic ecosystem for knowledge flows [7][11] - Past evaluations indicate that projects informed by knowledge inputs tend to perform better, with a strong link between the quality of project teams and project outcomes [9][10] Summary by Sections Background and Context - The World Bank's knowledge is a key differentiator from other development organizations, enhancing its ability to inform client reforms and financing [2][3] - The Strategic Framework for Knowledge (SFK) aims to improve the Bank's knowledge contributions through prioritization systems, staff incentives, and human capital development [4][6] Evaluation Purpose and Objectives - The evaluation aims to improve learning in World Bank-financed operations, focusing on identifying knowledge enablers and barriers to learning [11][12] - It will assess the types of knowledge used in project design and implementation, current knowledge management practices, and provide recommendations for consistent learning [13][21] Evaluation Questions - The evaluation will explore how different types of knowledge inputs inform project design and implementation, the effectiveness of knowledge enablers across operational units, and what is needed for consistent learning [18][19][20] Evaluation Design - A mixed methods approach will be used, including case studies, quantitative analysis, and interviews to gather insights on knowledge inputs and management practices [34][35][36] - The evaluation will focus on projects from 2014 to 2023, covering various financing instruments and regions [22][23] Expected Outputs - The evaluation will produce a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations, aiming to align with the ongoing development of the Knowledge Compact for Action [43][44]

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10959 Is Escaping the Fiscal Pro-Cyclicality Trap Possible? Evidence from the Middle East and North Africa Željko Bogetić Dominik Naeher Public Disclosure Authorized Prosperity Practice Group October 2024 A verified reproducibility package for this paper is available at http://reproducibility.worldbank.org, click here for direct access. Policy Research Working Paper 10959 Abstract This paper ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized | --- | --- | |----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | | | | Approach Paper | | | Early-Stage | Evaluation of the Multiphase Programmatic | | Approach | | | June 10, 2024 | | | 1. Background and Evaluation Rationale | | 1.1 The multiphase programmatic approach (MPA) is a way of structuring a long, large, or complex engagement—typically over 8–10 years—either as a set of smaller linked operations or phas ...

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of investing in hydrometeorological services, indicating a benefit-cost ratio of at least 3:1 for every dollar invested in these services [26][39]. Core Insights - The roadmap outlines a strategic approach for the modernization of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) in Bhutan, focusing on enhancing service delivery and resilience against natural disasters [57][58]. - It highlights the critical role of hydrometeorological information in supporting economic activities, particularly in sectors like hydropower, agriculture, and tourism, which are highly sensitive to climate change [19][37]. - The report identifies significant gaps in the current capabilities of NCHM, including the need for improved observation systems, forecasting models, and ICT infrastructure [28][39]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of hydromet services in Bhutan and proposes a modernization approach in two stages to enhance NCHM's capabilities [57][58]. - It builds on previous efforts and aligns with the National Hydromet Policy 2023, aiming to inform future Five-Year Plans [58][59]. Approach to Modernization - A system-of-systems approach is proposed to analyze and improve the various elements within the NCHM, assessing their maturity on a five-level scale [51]. - The hydrometeorological value chain is emphasized as a framework for understanding service delivery and identifying areas for improvement [51]. Current Status of NCHM Services and Infrastructure - The report details the existing services and infrastructure of NCHM, applying the maturity framework to establish a baseline for future enhancements [52]. - It identifies specific observation networks and forecasting systems that require modernization to meet user needs effectively [12][13]. Roadmap for Modernizing NCHM's Services - The roadmap is divided into short-term (2024-2029) and medium-term (2029-2034) modernization plans, outlining specific recommendations for infrastructure investments and expected improvements in service maturity [53][54]. - It includes detailed cost estimates and timelines for the proposed modernization activities [54][56]. Conclusion - The conclusion emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships and innovative approaches to enhance NCHM's service delivery and resilience [54]. - It calls for stakeholder engagement and a collaborative effort to implement the roadmap effectively [40][54].

Industry Overview - The Results and Performance of the World Bank Group (RAP) 2024 report focuses on analyzing trends in the performance ratings of World Bank Group operations, including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) [2][3] - The report aims to provide a deeper analysis of specific issues, such as the performance of COVID-19-exposed operations and the association between development outcomes, additionality, and work quality ratings in IFC investment projects [3] - The report will also analyze trends in country program ratings and conduct an in-depth review of Bank Group performance at the country level [3] Key Analytical Components - The report will analyze trends in IEG ratings of World Bank Group operations, including outcome type analysis and factors linked to the performance of COVID-19-exposed projects [10] - For IFC investment projects, the report will identify factors specific to work quality and additionality that are associated with development outcomes [10] - The report will also analyze trends in IEG ratings of country programs and factors linked with World Bank Group performance at the country level over a 10-year period [10] Methodology and Approach - RAP 2024 will apply a mix of methods, including statistical analysis, text analysis, and supervised machine learning, to analyze performance ratings and trends [14] - The report will use a three-year rolling average for World Bank and IFC projects and a six-year rolling average for MIGA guarantee projects due to the small number of projects evaluated annually [19] - The analysis will include breakdowns of performance ratings across various dimensions, such as region, fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS), and country lending group [19] Performance Ratings and Outcome Types - The report will analyze the performance ratings of World Bank projects, including outcome, efficacy, and Bank performance, using a six-point scale [63][64][65] - For IFC investment projects, the report will assess development outcomes, additionality, investment outcomes, and work quality, using a six-point scale for development outcomes and a four-point scale for other dimensions [72][73][74][75] - The report will also analyze the performance ratings of MIGA guarantee projects, including development outcomes, MIGA effectiveness, and work quality, using a six-point scale for development outcomes and a four-point scale for other dimensions [84][85][86] Factors Linked to Performance - The report will identify factors linked to the performance of COVID-19-exposed operations, including challenges related to procurement, conflict, and institutional capacity [130] - For IFC investment projects, the report will analyze factors such as unfavorable economic conditions, market competition, and sponsor capacity that affect project performance [111][112] - The report will also explore the association between preparation, processing, and preimplementation scoping time and performance ratings for World Bank, IFC, and MIGA projects [18]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry or sector under evaluation. Core Insights - The World Bank Group's support to Ghana from FY13 to FY23 aimed to address significant development challenges, including fiscal sustainability, energy sector issues, and education and skills development [2][3][15][57]. Summary by Relevant Sections Background and Country Context - Ghana experienced economic growth with a GDP per capita increase of 2.3% annually from 2013 to 2022, but faced a macroeconomic crisis by 2022, marked by a 54% inflation rate and a declared debt default [4][6]. - The poverty rate, which decreased from 64.2% in 1991 to 25.7% in 2012, is projected to rise to 33.4% by 2025 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation [7]. World Bank Group in Ghana - The Bank Group's strategies during the evaluation period included the FY13–16 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and the FY22–26 Country Partnership Framework (CPF), focusing on job creation, economic stability, and social equity [18][20]. - Total new commitments from the World Bank to Ghana reached US$5.73 billion between FY13 and FY23, with a significant portion allocated to energy and extractives [24][29]. Special Themes Fiscal Sustainability - Ghana's fiscal challenges included weak revenue mobilization, high expenditures, and significant risks in the energy sector, leading to a high risk of debt distress [40][41]. - The tax-to-GDP ratio averaged 12.8% from 2013 to 2020, below the averages of lower-middle-income countries and Sub-Saharan Africa [40]. Energy Sector - Despite high electricity access rates, the energy sector suffers from reliability issues, high costs, and below-cost-recovery tariffs, with access disparities between urban (95%) and rural (74%) areas [44]. - The Bank Group's support included the Sankofa Gas Project aimed at improving electricity generation reliability, but challenges remain due to high distribution losses and financial instability in state-owned enterprises [45][47]. Education and Skills Development - Ghana has made progress in basic education access, with gross enrollment ratios near 100%, but learning outcomes remain low, particularly in mathematics and English proficiency [50][51]. - The government has prioritized education spending, averaging 6% of GDP from 2011 to 2020, with the Bank Group being a significant contributor to the sector [52][54].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Reducing the impact of climate change on poor and vulnerable households is essential for hastening poverty reduction. Policies that reduce hazards and/or vulnerability while bringing non-climate benefits should be prioritized [8][13][19] - The framework presented in the report examines the relationship between climate and poverty, focusing on how climate change and climate policies affect household welfare [14][20] - The report emphasizes the need for policies that address climate hazards while minimizing non-climate costs for poor households [16][17] Summary by Sections 1. Background - The World Bank aims to end poverty on a livable planet, highlighting the relationship between poverty and climate objectives. Climate change poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of poor households, necessitating urgent action [19] 2. The Welfare Impacts of Climate - The report introduces an asset-based framework to analyze how climate outcomes affect household income and consumption. Poor households are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on natural resources and lack of access to financial instruments [23][25] - The hazard, exposure, and vulnerability framework is used to understand the impacts of climate change on welfare, emphasizing that vulnerability varies across households based on their assets and context [29][30] 3. The Welfare Impacts of Climate Policies - Policies that address climate hazards and provide non-climate benefits should be prioritized. Examples include climate-smart agricultural practices and investments in clean energy access [16] - The report discusses the trade-offs inherent in climate policies, particularly the short-term costs that may affect poorer communities during transitions to renewable energy [17] 4. Measuring the Welfare Impacts of Climate Change - The report outlines the importance of vulnerability or damage functions in measuring welfare impacts, which relate losses in welfare to climate conditions. Various methodologies are discussed for estimating these impacts [52][53]

Solomon Islands: Country Economic Memorandum Unlocking New Sources of Economic Growth July 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized 2 Solomon Islands: Country Economic Memorandum Acknowledgement: The team would like to acknowledge and thank all those who provided input to this analysis. Lodewijk Smets and Reshika Singh managed the task. The lead authors for Chapter 1 and 2 are Lodewijk Smets and Lachlan McDonald. Chris Miller le ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Global extreme poverty reduction has slowed significantly, with projections indicating that the 2020s may be a lost decade for poverty alleviation efforts [12][19] - The extreme poverty rate in 2024 is reported at 8.5%, which is a slight improvement from the pre-pandemic level of 8.8% [23] - The number of economies with high inequality has decreased to a 24-year low, yet 1.7 billion people still live in high-inequality economies, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America [24] Summary by Sections Overview - The report highlights that poverty reduction has stalled globally, particularly in poorer countries, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts [18][19] Global Poverty Update and Outlook - Extreme poverty remains above pre-pandemic levels in low-income countries, with significant regional disparities [1.2][1.4] - Projections indicate that poverty levels will not return to pre-pandemic rates until well into the future [1.3][1.5] Shared Prosperity - Progress in shared prosperity has stagnated since the pandemic, with a need for comprehensive approaches to address structural inequality [2.6][2.16] - The report emphasizes the importance of reducing within-country inequality to accelerate poverty reduction [24] Livable Planet - Poor countries are lagging in climate adaptation efforts, with a significant portion of their populations exposed to extreme weather events [25][26] - The report calls for differentiated policy priorities for low-income economies to focus on long-term growth and resilience [27][28] Monitoring the Interlinked Goals - The report advocates for a holistic approach to measuring well-being and risks, emphasizing the need for robust data to inform policy decisions [4.1][4.2]