Blog

Dialogue is essential to inclusive development. The social license to operate in a given community depends on it. To be certain, creating intentional spaces to reflect on the actual experiences of project-impacted communities serves sustainability and continued improvement of impact. If Multilateral Development Banks and other institutions truly want to make their annual or biannual gatherings inclusive and hear from those most affected by the decisions made by these institutions, they must create more opportunities for civil society to engage with bank leadership during these meetings and remove restrictions and barriers to civil society participation. 

With the release of the new draft Environmental and Social Policy, we look at outcomes data to evaluate whether remedy has been provided when its financed projects cause environmental or social harm.

On March 13, 2024, World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga announced an external investigation of allegations of interference in the IFC Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) process as relates to IFC’s investments in Bridge International Academies. As the World Bank Group moves forward with this investigation, it is important that it is independent and thorough.

Recognizing the need for U.S. leadership, the new U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (NAP) includes commitments from various government agencies to promote responsible business conduct. Accountability Counsel submitted recommendations for the NAP, and we are happy to see several of our recommendations addressed.

While the CSDDD’s advancement is commendable, finalizing the CSDDD must be the beginning – not the end – of conversations on how to ensure that business and finance operates in a just, sustainable, and accountable way.

Today, the World Bank released a scandalous internal investigation of child sexual abuse allegations at private schools funded by its private sector arm, the IFC. Although World Bank President Ajay Banga has expressed contrition, the IFC’s official management response fails to offer meaningful remedy to the survivors of abuse that it turned a blind eye to for almost a decade.

Policy reviews at the World Bank, ADB, EBRD, and AIIB come at a time when MDBs have been entrusted with greater mandates to combat the urgent climate crisis. It is imperative that the policy reviews result in strong improvements to protect and guarantee the rights of project-affected communities around the world.

On this International Women’s Day, the International Finance Corporation is asking its Executive Directors to endorse an inadequate and flawed plan in response to the investigation of child sexual abuse at Bridge International schools in Kenya. Executive Directors should reject the proposed MAP.

Analyzing complaints that are connected to energy transition minerals (ETM) projects, which are considered crucial for the transition to renewable energy, and posit three theories as to why there are not more complaints given the high volume of ETM projects and the harm associated with them.

If the World Bank wants to be taken seriously as a development institution, then its response to the Bridge Academies case is a test that it cannot afford to fail.

Today is my first day as Accountability Counsel’s Executive Director, and I am reflecting on community and accountability. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the community of advocates, supporters, movements, and organizations that have made Accountability Counsel what it is today. This is Accountability Counsel’s 15th year, which is an…

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we share with you that, after an exhaustive search, Margaux Day has been appointed Accountability Counsel’s next Executive Director.

To understand how the system of independent accountability mechanisms is working for those who engage their services, we mapped out the path of every single complaint. Our analysis reveals huge barriers to entry, but also high likelihood of affirmation of the complaint if it reaches the compliance investigation or dispute resolution phase.

Data in a new report showing how frequently the International Finance Corporation and its clients abandon investments when communities harmed by those investments demand accountability is especially alarming.

It is near the end of the year (for those following the Gregorian calendar), so now seems as good a time as any to reflect on our continued push for the world’s largest development bank, turned aspiring champion of climate finance and now host of the Loss and Damage climate reparations fund, to finally, finally, finally deliver effective remedy when its projects cause real harm to people. This is also the time to rest up for the road ahead in 2024.

While many are rightly disappointed about the favoritism afforded to the financial sector under the European Union’s forthcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, all is not lost. Exemption under the law does not absolve the financial sector’s responsibility for environmental and human rights impacts directly caused or enabled by their activities. Even if financial institutions are not yet subject to full liability, they can still be held accountable.

Last week, Congressional Labor Caucus co-chairs, Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) called on U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Scott Nathan to address allegations of retaliation against DFC employees for whistleblowing and labor organizing. Retaliation against whistleblowers at the DFC is…

The IFC’s inability to take responsibility for a crisis of its own making comes at a time when the World Bank is asking shareholder governments to trust it more.

With COP28 underway this week, our attention turns to financial institutions and their role in the climate crisis, prompting questions about the effectiveness of climate finance and emphasizing the pressing need for strengthened accountability and meaningful remedy.

Accountability Counsel joins hundreds of organizations calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.