Rethinking the "greenness" of electricity transmission: Embracing a more holistic approach

This World Bank paper argues that transmission infrastructure is a stable operating asset with proven technologies that have remained largely unchanged for over a century. Furthermore,…

Debabrata Chattopadhyay, Durreh Tabassum |
Energy, Environment, Extractive Industries, Governance, Infrastructure & Public-Private Partnerships, Jobs & Development, Urban Development

Transboundary waters and biodiversity conservation: How CIWA Program became a change-maker

CIWA is exploring ways to better align its transboundary water cooperation efforts with biodiversity conservation goals, including identifying opportunities at the intersection of transboundary…

Piet Theron |
Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Environment, Poverty, Water

Waking South Africa’s Economy Up Requires the Government and Businesses to Work Together

South Africa has lost its two main levers of economic development: public investment in physical and social infrastructure (think China, which invests almost 20% of its GDP per year) and a…

Jacques Morisset |

Ready for the rainy day: How sound fiscal management can build PPP resilience

While PPPs provide an important tool for governments, they are sensitive to economic ups and downs. A new World Bank study shows a sound and practical Fiscal Commitment and Contingent Liabilities…

Marcel van den Broek, Hulya Pasaogullari, Mikel Tejada Ibañez, Elena Timusheva |
Climate Change, Infrastructure & Public-Private Partnerships, Transport, Urban Development

GirlCode: Women Using Technology to Create Meaningful Solutions

Ahead of International Women’s Day, I caught up with Zandile Mkwanazi, the Chief Executive Officer of GirlCode, based in South Africa. I was curious to hear about her journey into technology and…

Eisa Gouredou, Zandile Mkwanazi |
Gender

Navigating the trade-offs of ecological, economic, and development goals to protect biodiversity

This blog highlights two studies from past World Bank's Knowledge for Change Program (KCP)-supported research that demonstrate the importance of a data-driven and evidence-based approach to…

Kerina Wang, Lauren Nicole Core, KCP Program Management Unit (KCP PMU) |
Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Extractive Industries, Forests, Governance, Transport

2 reasons why climate skeptics should support South Africa’s just energy transition

2 reasons why climate skeptics should support South Africa’s just energy transition

Jacques Morisset, Mariano Salto |
Climate Change

Township Economic Development: Hope emerging from the South African melting pot

A recent World Bank site visit to the township of Tembisa – in partnership with the National Treasury and with participation from strategic partners, local youth groups, entrepreneurs, and members…

Ayanda Mokgolo, Lethu Collen Masango, Lesego Tshuwa |
Urban Development

Beating the heat in South African cities: Lessons from a citizen science assessment

Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni are part of Gauteng Province, an economic powerhouse region that produces some 35% of South Africa’s GDP. Temperatures across most of the city are 3-4°C higher than in…

Nick Jones, Mzukisi Gwata, Is’haaq Akoon |
Climate Change, Disaster Risk Management, Urban Development

South Africa leading the way toward a low-carbon economy and resilient society

On October 31st, Eskom, South Africa’s national power utility closed the Komati coal-fired Power Station, in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa. At first glance, the closing of a 56-year-old…

Victoria Kwakwa |