5 June 2012: The World Bank has released its new Environment Strategy for 2012-2022 with the aim of supporting countries’ efforts to secure a sustainable future through initiatives that are green, clean and resilient.

The Strategy, titled “Toward a Green, Clean, and Resilient World for All,” underlines that “Green” initiatives emphasize the sustainable management of natural resources to improve livelihoods and improve food security, through partnerships with organizations such as the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystems Services (WAVES) and the Global Partnership for Oceans.

The strategy describes “Clean” initiatives as working towards cleaner air, water and oceans through low emission development strategies, including climate-smart transport, energy, agriculture and urban development. “Resilient” projects include better preparation for shocks and natural disasters, improving risk management, and climate change adaptation policy, with a focus on vulnerable small island developing States (SIDS) to reduce dependence on oil imports, build sound infrastructure, and restore protective coastal ecosystems such as mangroves.

The Strategy has organized region-specific agendas to address different environmental challenges in the developing world.
In Africa, the main focus will be on natural resource management and expanded energy access. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the World Bank will mainly support the management of protected areas and biodiversity conservation, as well as payment for ecosystem services and ‘green’ cities. [Publication: Toward a Green, Clean, and Resilient World for All: The World Bank Group’s Environment Strategy 2012-2022]