* What’s this database all about?

The Sustainable Energy and Economy Network database is an inventory of all fossil fuel and renewable energy projects financed by certain international financial institutions (IFIs) since the Earth Summit was held in 1992. At this summit, the world’s leaders committed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in an attempt to prevent climate change. Instead, as this database reveals, institutions like the World Bank Group have backed the massive expansion of fossil fuel operations, like coal mining and oil drilling, all around the world. Further information can be found in our Overview and Key Findings page.

* How are the carbon dioxide emissions calculated?

We use established methodology for estimating the lifetime emissions of carbon dioxide from various projects which is explained on our Methodology page.

* What is the World Bank Group? Is their information on-line?

The World Bank Group is the planet’s most powerful international financial institution (IFI) supported with taxpayer money. Within the Group are distinct agencies: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Agency (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). In the bureaucratic terminology of the Group, the "World Bank" refers only to the IBRD and IDA. The "World Bank Group" includes all five of these institutions.

In our database’s simple search and advanced search pull-down menus, the user can select "World Bank Group" to find records related to any and all of these agencies. You can also search for individual agencies by clicking on that name in the pull-down menu.

While our database is the only place where web-searchers can find all of these agencies’ fossil fuel and renewable energy projects in one location, further information can be found at individual World Bank Group sites. Here are some good places to start searching:

IDA and IBRD project database:http://www4.worldbank.org/sprojects/default.asp. This page provides access to these two institutions’ proposed and approved projects, dating back to the year 1947. Information about newly-proposed and recently-approved projects can be found by clicking on the links in the "What’s New" box on the lower right of this page.

IFC project database: http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/IFCExt/spiwebsite1.nsf/$$Search?Openform

This well-formatted database includes an option to view "recent documents." Clicking here will create a list of newly proposed projects under consideration by the IFC. There are also many options to view projects that have already been approved by the agency

MIGA: Unlike IDA, IBRD, and the IFC, MIGA does not maintain a public database of proposed or approved projects. The only projects to which MIGA provides advanced notice are those which it has classified as environmental "Category A" projects, which may be found here:http://www.miga.org/screens/policies/disclose/cat_A.htm.

In addition, the agency releases minimal information about previously approved projects in its quarterly newsletters and annual reports, available at http://www.miga.org/screens/pubs/pubs.htm.

Information about GEF projects is scattered among all of the above links.

* What is the role of the U.S. government?

The United States government is the leading supporter of the world’s most powerful international financial institutions, including the World Bank Group. In addition, the U.S. supports fossil fuel and other projects in the developing world through its own institutions. The U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation provide loans, credits, insurance, and guarantees to projects that involve corporations based in the United States. Our database continuously updates these financial arrangements. You can also find updated information at these agencies’ own websites.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank’s board meets on a weekly basis. Its website provides access to the weekly board minutes, which provide some detail on newly approved projects, and to the agenda for upcoming meetings on the Tuesday before each board session. You can find this valuable information at:http://www.exim.gov/summary/summary.html

OPIC’s board meets once every three months. Unlike the Ex-Im Bank, OPIC generally does not provide notification of proposed projects on the board’s agenda. However, it does maintain a list of applications that require "Category A" environmental review. The current list can be found at: http://www.opic.gov/subdocs/EnvironASP/environTable.asp.

OPIC releases information about approved projects in various forms: in press releases, available from < http://www.opic.gov/subdocs/public/press01.htm > ; and in newsletters and annual reports which can be accessed at http://www.opic.gov/subdocs/public/public.htm.

* I have some additional information for your database, or have found a mistake in one of your records. What should I do?

This database is a continuous work-in-progress and we welcome any additional information, corrections, etc., to make this as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Please send along any relevant links, information, corrections, and so on, to us at SEEN at: database@seen.org.

Are there other groups that monitor IFI financing of fossil fuels?

SEEN works with dozens of local, national, and international non-governmental organizations around the world to monitor and expose the impacts of IFI financing of fossil fuels. A growing alliance of organizations dedicated to human rights, environmental, social justice, and human needs issues is working to prevent the most destructive pathways of globalization. It is our hope that this database aids in these efforts.