World Bank’s Forestry Investments Fail To Address Poverty And Climate Change

Over the last ten years, the World Bank has made a forestry investment accounting for about $ 4.1 billion (2.6 billion). Although a significant amount invested, a new study, meet by the auditor himself, indicating that he had failed to meet the agenda for climate change, improve forest conservation, reduce poverty and benefit local communities in developing countries.

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As The Guardian reported on January 29, 2013, the audit report prepared by the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), which employ senior staff and outside consultants.According to the paper, the World Bank forestry investment helps to keep the 24 million hectares of forests and to classify another 45million hectares as indigenous lands. Despite this achievement, it does not address the important environmental and social issues more, which IEGstated.

In the decade-July 2011, the World Bank funded 345 forestry projects in 75 countries. The IEG panel, which visited several sites and local communities interviewed, criticized the bank for some practice. According to the superintendent, it continues to support the logging industry, not involving local communities in decision-making and neglect of rural poverty as an issue that should be addressed. The auditors also estimate that the World Bank only under the assumption that the benefits of these projects will accrue to the rural poor.

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British Particularly Sensitive

IEG report has been sent to the main contributors to the World Bank funds, including the British government, which is very sensitive to the issue because, since 2008, the UK has contributed US $ 600 million (381 million) for the Forest Investment Program (FIP).

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Although it did not reveal that forestry projects have been funded by the United Kingdom, the panel IEG says that two-thirds of the financing of the World Bank forestry failed to hit the target environment. In terms of social benefits for the local community, the auditors found that only two of the 37 projects examined forestry really help to alleviate poverty, while three-quarters of these projects forced the locals to move against their will.

Not First Shadow of Doubt over the World Bank Forestry Investment

IEG report is not the first shadow cast on the effectiveness of the World Bank forestry investments. NGOs which had previously been accused that supports the logging industry and contribute to the destruction of the world’s forests and failure to address climate change and poverty roadside in developing countries.