New Report: Backers of Collapsed Laos Dam Must Be Held Accountable
A joint report released today by International Rivers and Inclusive Development International finds that one year after the devastating collapse of saddle dam D of the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower project in southern Laos, none of the entities backing and profiting from the project have been held accountable. “Reckless Endangerment: Assessing Responsibility for the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy Dam Collapse” identifies the governments, corporations, banks and insurers that have backed the $1.02 billion project. The report sets out the responsibilities of these entities – from Korea, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and the United States – to ensure that the victims receive a fair and just remedy, as required under international human rights law.
Opinion: Can the World Bank clean up its fossil fuel problem? | Devex
The IFC’s Green Equity Strategy could be a pivotal engine for transformation — if it truly rises to the challenge. Inclusive Development International’s David Pred and Bank Information Center Europe’s Nezir Sinani explain. READ FULL ARTICLE ▶
Cambodian farmers take Thai sugar giant to court | Al’Jazeera
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – After years of protesting, two Cambodian farmers make their case this week in a Bangkok court against Thai sugar giant Mitr Phol, who they blame for the loss of their livelihoods.
Uncalculated Risks: Threats and Attacks Against Human Rights Defenders and the Role of Development Financiers
Human rights defenders are a cornerstone of sustainable development. Yet today, their critical work comes at an unacceptable cost. Inclusive Development International is one of over 100 groups working to expose the uncalculated risks of mega-projects and other ill-planned development on those who work to defend human rights and the environment. The Coalition for Human […]
When funding fuels fire: the ins and outs of responsible mining finance – Mine | Issue 81 | June 19
The World Bank’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is currently considering a complaint made against the International Finance Corporation, a sister organisation of the World Bank, for funding the expansion of a controversial bauxite mining project. Such grievances are not uncommon and it is hard not to wonder, is CAO powerful enough to hold organisations, including […]
International call on banks: Don’t finance the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline
A coalition of African and international organizations is today calling on South Africa’s Standard Bank and Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) to withdraw from their role as lead arrangers for a massive oil pipeline under construction in Uganda and Tanzania. The East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline is being developed as part of a push to open oil fields […]
New Release: Second Edition of Safeguarding People and the Environment in Chinese Investments
Note: Since this post was published we have made further updates to our guide to holding Chinese corporations accountable. The latest version is available here. We have Inclusive Development International is pleased to announce the publication of a second edition of Safeguarding People and the Environment in Chinese Investments: A Reference Guide for Advocates. This […]
Not just dirty, but deadly: Can the World Bank clean up its fossil fuel problem?
Commentary: The World Bank’s International Finance Corporation has laid out a new proposed strategy to address concerns regarding the climate impacts of its $50 billion financial intermediary portfolio. It’s a step in the right direction. But given the urgency of the climate crisis, the world’s leading multilateral development institution should be doing more to hasten […]
New report exposes World Bank links to destructive coal mining in Indonesia
(April 11, 2019, Washington DC) – The World Bank Group is quietly bankrolling some of Indonesia’s most destructive coal mining companies, despite instituting a virtual ban on coal financing in 2013, according to a report released today.
Cambodian indigenous communities win back their sacred land from Vietnamese rubber developer
(Banlung) – Twelve indigenous communities in Cambodia’s northeastern province of Ratanakiri scored a major victory today when the government announced it was returning to them 20 spirit mountains and dozens of other spiritually significant areas that had been grabbed by the Vietnamese agribusiness giant Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL). The communities have been embroiled in […]