|
|
Climate Change
Climate change has emerged as a key concern for the World Bank and its clients in the 21st century. Sea level rise, warming temperatures, uncertain effects on forest and agricultural systems, and increased variability and volatility in weather patterns are expected to have a significant and disproportionate impact in the developing world, where the world’s poor remain most susceptible to the potential damages and uncertainties inherent in a changing climate.
The Bank is increasingly incorporating these considerations into its development operations, advising clients on options, helping promote sectoral efficiency and clean energy alternatives, and assisting its clients in adapting to foreseeable impacts while seeking globally equitable responses to the challenge.
“Continued global warming is in nobody’s interest, but the simple facts of the matter are that developing countries will suffer the most damage, and their poor will be at an even greater disadvantage. I see the Bank’s role in climate change as providing every opportunity to developing countries to benefit from the huge investment OECD must make in reducing climate change”
James Wolfensohn, World Bank President
United Nation's General Assembly, June 1997
|
|