2007 Highlights

Market Movers: Lessons from a Frontier of Innovation (December 2007)
"Market Movers: Lessons from a Frontier of Innovation" tells the stories of four firms ranging across the globe – in many cases operating in some of the most challenging environments in which to foster commercial success – and how they have found business value in strategies based on sustainability. Read more...



IFC Reports on First 18-Month Application of Performance Standards (December 2007)
December 13 - IFC's Board of Directors discussed findings of the first 18 months of implementation for IFC's Policy and Performance Standards on Social and Environment Sustainability and Disclosure Policy. Download the report [PDF]



IFC/WB Jointly Report on Catalyzing Private Investment For A Low-Carbon Economy (December 2007)
This new publication jointly produced by the IFC and World Bank, provides a detailed look at how these organizations are fostering increased private sector investment in clean energy technologies and services. Read more...



IFC Publishes "Selling Solar: Lessons From More than a Decade of IFC's Experiences" (October 2007)
The publication finds that, to be successful, investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies must acknowledge different market segments and adapt their products and financing accordingly. Read more...



World Bank Group Launches Lighting Africa Initiative; Announces Competition for Innovative Lighting Products (September 2007)
The World Bank Group has launched Lighting Africa, an initiative to provide modern lighting to the 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who have no access to electricity. Read more...



Studies Celebrate Success, Recommend More Changes, in Promoting Gender Equality in Tanzania (August 2007)
The studies commend Tanzania's government for its progress, but suggest the country should continue addressing gender inequalities and removing obstacles to women's entrepreneurship. Read more...



IFC Leads Development of Guide to Human Rights Impact Assessment and Management (August 2007)
Human rights have traditionally been the sole responsibility of government, but increasingly businesses are expected to play a key role in upholding human rights and to carry out their operations in a socially responsible manner. Read more...



IFC Launches Good Practice Handbook on Stakeholder Engagement (May 2007)
The Handbook draws on IFC's own learning as well as the current thinking and practices of our client companies and other institutions to provide the good practice "essentials" for building and sustaining constructive relationships over time as a means of risk mitigation, new business identification, and enhancing development outcomes. Read more...



Clients See Benefits from Adopting Sustainable Banking Practices (March 2007)
Tools to help banking clients implement sustainable practices to create business opportunities and improve competitiveness are the focus of Banking on Sustainability, a new report released this week by IFC. Read more...



World Water Day: Join the IFC/World Bank Online Dialogue on Water (March 2007)
With World Water Day coming on March 22, and as a follow up to the World Bank's Water week, the Private Sector Development blog is running this week an online dialogue on water issues. Read more...



Developing Value 2: In Search of Emerging Markets Excellence (January 2007)
IFC and SustainAbility are launching new research into companies in emerging markets. The hunt is on for emerging-market businesses that have achieved investment-grade status through good environmental, social and governance practices. Download the report [PDF]