Report number 194676 Public Disclosure Authorized Preventing A Lost Generation: Understanding The State of Out of School Children in Myanmar November2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized © 2024 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not nec ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Green public procurement (GPP) in Bulgaria constituted approximately 10% to 20% of total public procurement spending from 2011 to 2019, indicating a significant presence despite Bulgaria being a sustainability laggard within the EU [2][14] - GPP is associated with improved competition, as it increases the entry of new firms into the market by 3 to 7 percentage points, while also reducing the likelihood of single bidders by 0.6 to 1.5 percentage points, thus lowering corruption risks [2][14] - GPP contracts are awarded to firms with 14% higher labor productivity, and this effect is even more pronounced in contracts with lower corruption risks, where productivity can be 19% higher [2][14] Summary by Sections Introduction - Public procurement accounts for about 12% of global GDP, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact in recent years [8] - GPP is increasingly recognized as a policy tool, yet evidence on its interaction with traditional procurement objectives is limited [9] Methodology - The study utilizes a comprehensive dataset of 148,637 contracts from Bulgaria's national e-procurement portals, covering the period from 2011 to 2019 [42] - A keyword-based matching algorithm is employed to identify GPP contracts, resulting in approximately 6,500 GPP tenders and 11,000 green contracts [47] Results - GPP spending as a share of total public procurement fluctuated between 8% and 26% from 2011 to 2019, with a notable decline after 2016 [78] - The highest GPP spending was observed in sectors such as sewage and environmental services, construction, and water purification [83] - GPP enhances competition by encouraging new market entrants and reducing the market share of winning suppliers [90]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry discussed Core Insights - The climate mitigation policies of the EU, US, and China are expected to reshape trade dynamics for developing countries, impacting demand for fossil fuels and energy-intensive manufacturing while creating opportunities in critical minerals and renewable energy technologies [2][9] - The policies will likely lead to reduced oil prices and increased prices for critical minerals, facilitating a decrease in green technology costs and promoting green foreign investment [2][9] Summary by Sections Section 1: Introduction - The EU, US, and China are responsible for nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions and are implementing various climate policies to mitigate these emissions [7] - The EU focuses on emissions pricing through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), while the US emphasizes subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and China utilizes an intensity-based ETS [7][9] Section 2: Climate Change Mitigation Policies - The EU's Fit for 55 package aims for a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, while the US IRA allocates approximately $370 billion over ten years for green energy initiatives [14][15] - China's climate policy includes significant investments in renewable energy, with nearly $760 billion spent from 2010 to 2019, making it the largest investor in this sector [16] Section 3: Impacts on Trade - The report identifies three main channels through which climate policies affect developing countries: shifts in supply and demand, price changes, and access to technology [9][66] - Developing countries that produce low-carbon goods may benefit from increased export opportunities, while those reliant on fossil fuel exports may face significant challenges [25][73] Section 4: Policy Recommendations - The report suggests that developing countries should adapt their policies to leverage opportunities from the green transition while mitigating negative impacts from climate policies enacted by major economies [2][9]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the power market industry Core Insights - The design of power markets is crucial for addressing economic, social, environmental, and engineering challenges to deliver sustainable and reliable electricity at the lowest cost to consumers [2] - There is significant heterogeneity in electricity market designs globally, with no universal blueprint, emphasizing the importance of country-specific contexts [11] - The report utilizes a unique Global Power Market Structures Database covering 230 economies from 1989 to 2024 to analyze the evolution of power market structures [12] Summary by Sections Section 1: Introduction - Electric power systems began in the late 19th century, initially dominated by private investors, transitioning to state-owned monopolies by the mid-20th century [8][9] - The performance of integrated monopolies has been mixed, leading to reforms aimed at introducing market mechanisms to enhance efficiency and attract private investment [9] Section 2: Power Market Structure Design Options - Between 1989 and 2024, 158 countries transitioned from vertically integrated utilities (VIUs) to models incorporating private sector engagement, particularly in generation [15] - The four overarching market structures identified are: (1) VIU, (2) single-buyer model (SBM), (3) competitive wholesale markets, and (4) competitive retail markets [19] 2.1 Vertically Integrated Utility (VIU) Model - In 1989, 215 economies operated under the VIU model, serving 92% of the global population; by 2023, this reduced to 72 economies covering 7% of the population [21] - 84% of VIUs are state-owned, with only 11 economies privatizing their VIUs while maintaining them as the sole provider [24] 2.2 Single Buyer Model (SBM) - The SBM is currently the most prevalent structure, utilized by 87 countries covering 29% of the global population [30] - Variations of the SBM exist, including models where the single buyer retains ownership of generation assets or is detached from generation functions [33] 2.3 Wholesale Competition - 69 countries have some form of wholesale competition, covering 63% of the global population [43] - The majority of these countries allow bilateral contracting between generators and large consumers, with organized spot markets complementing this structure [44] 2.4 Retail Competition - 66 economies allow some degree of retail competition, enabling end-users to choose their electricity supplier [61] - Full retail competition is primarily found in advanced European countries, with technology advancements facilitating further competition in developing nations [67]

Policy Research Working Paper 10983 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized The Potential Cascading Impacts of Climate Change in Cambodia Hector Pollitt Migle Petrauskaite Public Disclosure Authorized Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice November 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10983 Abstract This paper develops a "plausible worst-case" scenario for Cambodia to illustrate how a severe, 1-in-10-year flood could trigger cascading impacts, inclu ...

Policy Research Working Paper 10984 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized From Fiscal Cyclicality to Fiscal Stress The Role of Asymmetric Public Consumption Rigidities in Emerging Markets Daniel Riera-Crichton Pilar Ruiz Orrico Guillermo Vuletin Latin America and the Caribbean Region Office of the Chief Economist November 2024 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10984 Abstract Macroeconomic textbooks warn that procyclical public spendin ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The expansion of high-speed railways (HSR) in China has significantly contributed to increasing the domestic value-added ratio (DVAR) in exports by enhancing firm linkages between domestic suppliers and exporters [2][10][11]. - A novel methodology developed in the report estimates firm-level DVAR using customs transaction data, allowing for a more accurate assessment of domestic value addition without relying on traditional industry input-output tables [11][27]. - The findings indicate that HSR facilitates the substitution of domestic materials for imported ones, thereby increasing DVAR, particularly for processing exporters and firms in the electronics sector [13][15][20]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The report discusses the role of HSR in China's infrastructure modernization and its impact on global value chains (GVCs), particularly in increasing DVAR through improved firm-to-firm linkages [10][11]. Methodology - A new approach to estimate DVAR is introduced, which relies solely on customs transaction data, eliminating the need for matching with industrial census data [11][27]. - The methodology allows for the estimation of the share of imports used for exports, providing a clearer picture of domestic value addition in exports [29][36]. Empirical Findings - The analysis shows that as the proportion of potential domestic suppliers connected via HSR increases, firm-level DVAR also rises, especially for firms engaged in processing trade [13][15][20]. - The report highlights that HSR connections significantly enhance domestic supply chain integration, leading to lower material prices and greater access to a variety of domestic inputs [13][15][20]. Background of HSR Development - The report outlines the historical context of HSR development in China, emphasizing its rapid expansion since 2008 and its role in reshaping transportation infrastructure [21][22]. Comparative Analysis - HSR is compared to other transportation modes, highlighting its unique attributes such as being passenger-dedicated and primarily used for business purposes, which facilitates better communication and business interactions [22][24]. Network Effects - The report discusses the network effects of HSR, noting that indirect connections through multiple lines significantly enhance the value of HSR for firms, impacting their DVAR positively [26][24]. Conclusion - The report concludes that HSR plays a critical role in advancing China's position in global value chains by facilitating domestic sourcing and enhancing firm-level DVAR through improved transportation links [20][18].

ARMENIA o of of Gr Public Disclosu Armenia Waste Sector Reform Plan May 2024 Disclosure Authorized THE WORLD BANK RWA Group Resources & Waste Advisory Group Armenia SWM Sector Assessment and Reform Plan Sector Assessment Report © 2024 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work is a product of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views ...

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the solid waste management (SWM) sector in Gyumri, Armenia. Core Insights - The municipal waste generation in Gyumri exceeds 30,000 tons annually, with organic waste constituting about 60% and recyclables around 20% of the total waste [17][39]. - The current waste management system is undergoing a transition, focusing on upgrading waste collection services and improving waste disposal methods [18][19]. - The financial sustainability of waste management services is a significant concern, with current waste fees being inadequate to cover operational costs [21][22][23]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - In 2024, municipal waste generation is projected to exceed 30,000 tons annually, with organic waste being the predominant type [17]. - The waste management system is in transition, aiming to enhance efficiency through upgrades in collection and disposal methods [18]. Current Waste Management Operations - The waste collection system serves the entire population of Gyumri, with efforts to upgrade containers and collection vehicles [18]. - The waste disposal site has not been updated since the 1950s and does not meet modern engineering standards [19]. - Gyumri is participating in an EU-funded project to establish a plastic recycling system, with 240 containers for source separation [20]. Costs and Financing - The polluter pays principle is emphasized, requiring waste producers to cover the costs of waste management services [21]. - Current waste fees are insufficient, leading to reliance on community budget subsidies to cover operational costs [22][23]. - In 2023, waste fees for legal entities did not cover their share of operating costs, necessitating additional funding from other communal revenues [23]. Improved Waste Operations and Cost Implications - Four scenarios for improved waste management are analyzed, focusing on collection, disposal, and recycling [31]. - Scenario 1 suggests that upgrading the waste collection system could reduce costs by 34% [31]. - Scenario 2 proposes establishing a sanitary landfill, which could be financially sustainable without subsidies [31]. - Scenario 3 involves source separation of recyclables, which may require public subsidization if implemented before Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation is in place [31]. - Scenario 4 indicates that extensive treatment technologies are currently unaffordable, but regionalization of services could improve cost efficiency [37]. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Effects - Implementing Scenario 2 is estimated to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 429,000 tons over 15 years, with a marginal abatement cost of $36 per ton of CO2 equivalent [39]. Conclusions and Recommendations - The report recommends prioritizing the optimization of the waste collection system and establishing a sanitary landfill to improve waste management in Gyumri [38][42]. - Financial sustainability requires full cost accounting and adjustments to waste fees to cover service costs [41].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under discussion. Core Insights - The implementation of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is expected to impact North Macedonia's economy, particularly in sectors with high carbon emissions such as cement, aluminum, iron, and steel [7][9][10] - The CBAM aims to address carbon leakage by imposing a carbon price on imports from countries without comparable carbon pricing policies, with full implementation expected by 2026 [8][10] - The World Bank's MINDSET model projects a decline in exports to the EU, particularly in the aforementioned sectors, with an overall economic output decline of less than 0.3 percent [10][28] - Specific sectors like aluminum and steel may experience output losses close to 2 percent, while other sectors may see losses of around 0.5 percent or less [11][30] - The introduction of CBAM could lead to approximately 1,500 job losses in North Macedonia, primarily affecting the manufacturing sector [11][37] Summary of the CBAM Regulation - The CBAM will initially cover imports of carbon-intensive goods at high risk of carbon leakage, including cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen [20] - The regulation operates on a declarative basis, requiring EU importers to report verified GHG emissions associated with imported goods [20][21] - The CBAM will be implemented in phases, with a transitional period from October 2023 to December 2025, followed by a fully operational period starting January 2026 [21][22] Implications of the CBAM Regulation in North Macedonia - The economic implications of the CBAM for North Macedonia vary across products and sectors, with expected effects depending on production processes and trade dynamics [24] - The MINDSET model simulates impacts under various scenarios, indicating that North Macedonia's economy could face a slight decline in output and employment due to reduced exports to the EU [26][28] - The sectors most vulnerable to the CBAM include metal-producing industries, which account for a significant portion of North Macedonia's exports to the EU [27][39]