The World Bank and Dams Part 1: Lessons Not Learned

Date: 
Wednesday, April 22, 2015

As it rejoins a worldwide dam boom, the World Bank claims that the major impacts that characterized its dam legacy are a thing of the past. But the Bank’s more recent history demonstrates that benefits of its large hydro portfolio have been significantly overstated, while its track record on addressing the environmental and social harms of its dam projects remains seriously flawed. Is the Bank failing poor communities with its hydro-heavy investments?

This is the first in a series exploring key issues concerning the World Bank’s role in supporting large dams.