Publications

Sep 24, 2020

Lessons for Electric Utilities from COVID-19 Responses in Emerging Markets

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic shutdown have severely depressed electricity demand across the globe, with acute consequences for the revenues and financial health of utilities, as well as smaller providers of utility services and off-grid companies. In many places, utility service providers also must manage the inability of consumers to pay for their services. Government support has been forthcoming, but utilities need to work closely with policymakers to ensure that programs are carefully designed in order to maintain ongoing system reforms, competitiveness, and affordability, and avoid long-lasting market disruptions. These support measures should avoid redundancy among sectors and ensure that resources are efficiently allocated and that welfare improvements are fairly distributed across the country in a sustainable manner. Investors must also understand changes to utilities’ finances and should work to support further reforms.

English | 8 pages - September - Note 90 | IFC 2020

Sep 21, 2020

Powered by Women - Business Case for Gender Diversity and Equality in Nepal’s Hydropower Sector

This Powered by Women report was developed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) as part of its commitment to mainstream gender into its programs. By building the Business Case for Gender Equality and Diversity in Nepal’s Hydropower sector, this report provides the foundation for the Powered by Women Initiative to help companies promote business growth and efficiency and enhance sustainability through increased gender diversity.

50 pages | © September 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Jul 14, 2020

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment: Emerging Good Practice for the Private Sector

This publication outlines emerging practices in addressing gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in operations and investments, while accompanying sector-specific briefs provide targeted guidance on addressing GBVH risks in key sectors, including transport, construction and manufacturing.

96 pages | © July 2020 IFC, EBRD, CDC Group | Complimentary

Jul 1, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Water and Sanitation

English | 6 pages | 2020 IFC

Jun 29, 2020

Sector Notes | COVID-19's Impact on infrastructure

The COVID–19 outbreak has significantly impacted infrastructure development and the global economy. International response to the rapid disruption to key infrastructure sectors and industries is ongoing. IFC’s COVID–19 infrastructure sector notes provide a quick and short analyses on the impact of the pandemic on different infrastructure sectors while proposing recommendations for an effective response to this global crisis.

English | 2020 IFC

Jun 24, 2020

Regulatory and Tariff Review for Distributed Generation in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors in Southern Africa

This report reviews the regulatory and tariff frameworks for small-scale distributed power generation in six southern African countries to support private investment in clean energy generation, transmission and distribution.

Jun 16, 2020

COVID-19’s Impact on the Waste Sector

This publication examines COVID-19’s impact on the waste sector. It explains how governments and private sector can work together to find sustainable solutions.

Jun 9, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Logistics

Logistics firms, which are involved in the movement, storage, and flow of goods, have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As an integral part of value chains, both within and across international borders, logistics firms facilitate trade and commerce and help businesses get their products to customers. Supply chain disruptions to the sector caused by the pandemic could, therefore, impact competitiveness, economic growth, and job creation.

English | 5 pages | 2020 IFC

Jun 4, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Power Sector

Power is essential for driving economic growth, especially in emerging markets. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7—Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all—is a necessary precondition for progress on many other SDGs, including those concerning health, education, industry, sustainable cities, and more.

English | 4 pages | 2020 IFC

May 28, 2020

Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management: Hydropower Development in the Trishuli River Basin, Nepal

This report was undertaken by IFC to strengthen understanding of environmental and social impacts of hydropower development that go beyond individual project-level impact assessments by considering a multiproject, basin-wide understanding of potential cumulative impacts in the Trishuli River Basin (TRB).

300 pages | © May 2020 IFC | Complimentary

May 27, 2020

The impact of COVID-19 on the Global Telecommunications Industry

English | 6 pages | 2020 IFC

May 19, 2020

Emerging Energy Solutions: Floating Solar Photovoltaic on the Rise

English | 2 pages | 2020 IFC

May 19, 2020

Emerging Energy Solutions: Battery Storage

English | 4 pages | 2020 IFC

May 19, 2020

Emerging Energy Solutions: The Rising Tide of Offshore Wind

A series on emerging energy trends and opportunities from IFC

English | 4 pages | 2020 IFC

May 13, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on Airports: An Analysis

Airports are essential to the economic development of cities, countries, and regions. They directly contribute to economies by providing services to airlines, moving passengers, and transporting cargo. The movement of goods and people also benefits governments, consumers, and industries. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has hit airports hard—which could stall development in emerging markets.

English | 6 pages | 2020 IFC

May 7, 2020

What COVID-19 Means for Digital Infrastructure in Emerging Markets

The COVID-19 pandemic shows that digital connectivity is critical to societal resilience and business continuity in times of crisis. For digital infrastructure providers in emerging markets, higher demand for connectivity may be counterbalanced by a series of negative shocks. These could affect broadband operators and smaller companies, leading to less competition, limited availability of open-access broadband infrastructure, and reduced technological innovation. However, the perceived value of digital connectivity is likely to rise, creating opportunities to implement policy reforms to accelerate the rollout of 4G and 5G. Digital infrastructure companies, however, may accelerate their migration toward diversified business models. Against a background of funding withdrawal from emerging markets, financing for smaller or independent companies in the poorest economies may require substantial support from development finance institutions to preserve competition, improve resilience, and pr

English | 8 Pages - May - Note 83 | 2020 IFC

Apr 28, 2020

Artificial Intelligence in the Power Sector

The energy sector worldwide faces growing challenges related to rising demand, efficiency, changing supply and demand patterns, and a lack of analytics needed for optimal management. These challenges are more acute in emerging market nations. Efficiency issues are particularly problematic, as the prevalence of informal connections to the power grid means a large amount of power is neither measured nor billed, resulting in losses as well as greater CO2 emissions, as consumers have little incentive to rationally use energy they don’t pay for. The power sector in developed nations has already begun to use artificial intelligence and related technologies that allow for communication between smart grids, smart meters, and Internet of Things devices. These technologies can help improve power management, efficiency, and transparency, and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

English | 8 Pages - April - Note 81 | 2020 IFC

Feb 28, 2020

Accelerating Digital Connectivity Through Infrastructure Sharing

Digital connectivity has enormous potential to support development. Yet today some four billion people in emerging economies remain offline, partly due to a lack of affordable Internet access. Sharing infrastructure among operators and across sectors is a potential solution. It can accelerate digital connectivity at lower cost, especially in the least developed markets where returns to investment can be limited. It can also reduce investment costs and operating expenses for investors and operators, and increase their balance sheet sustainability. Sharing models can also benefit consumers by increasing competition, lowering prices, and raising service quality. The private sector has already embraced this model; further expansion requires targeted policies that promote competition and facilitate sharing.

English | 8 Pages - February - Note 79 | IFC 2020

Feb 11, 2020

Artificial Intelligence and the Future for Smart Homes

Population growth and urbanization in emerging markets will mean expanding cities and rising demand for new housing in urban areas around the world. These trends represent an enormous opportunity to design, build, and operate the homes of tomorrow in intelligent ways that minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions, lower building and homeowner costs. Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in this effort by using data—including grid data, smart meter data, weather data, and energy use information—to study and improve building performance, optimize resource consumption, and increase comfort and cost efficiency for residents. AI will also analyze data collected from multiple buildings to improve building design and construction and inform future policy making related to construction and urban planning.

English | 8 Pages - February - Note 78 | IFC 2020

Jan 30, 2020

Data in Action: Natural Resources Disclosure for People and Progress

This discussion paper consolidates the findings of D2D’s natural resources data assessments conducted in Colombia, Ghana, Mongolia, and Peru

English | 44 pages | 2020 IFC

Jan 30, 2020

Unlocking Data Innovation for Social License in Natural Resources

This report describes how companies can use new data tools, approaches, and techniques to generate and sustain social license in communities.

English | 40 pages | 2020 IFC

Jan 30, 2020

Transparency for Impact: Lessons from IFC Projects in Peru’s Natural Resources Sector

This document is part of a series of knowledge products by IFC’s From Disclosure to Development program.

English | 52 pages | 2020 IFC

Jan 27, 2020

Sector Overview | Global Infrastructure

IFC Global Infrastructure Overview

English | 2 pages | January 2020

Jan 16, 2020

Electric Vehicles 101

Dec 11, 2019

Guía de Buenas Prácticas para el Desarrollo Eólico en Argentina: Gestión de Impactos en Aves y Murciélagos

La Guía de Buenas Prácticas para el Desarrollo Eólico en Argentina: Gestión de Impactos en Aves y Murciélagos ha sido desarrollada por BID Invest y el IFC en cooperación con la SSERyEE para brindar lineamientos técnicos sobre la gestión de los impactos en aves y murciélagos en los proyectos de energía eólica.

87 pages | © December 2019 BID Invest, IFC | Complimentary