Access to extractive industry resources, and to the revenues springing from them, is at the root of many conflicts. Recent examples include the several wars fought, in part, over access to oil in the Middle East and wars fueled by 'blood diamonds' in West Africa. The Extractive Industries...

Extractive industries (oil, gas, and mining) have the potential to generate significant wealth for developing countries and to serve as important catalysts for growth. They generate large revenues-through royalties, taxation, and exports-and create employment. In some cases, however, resource...

The fundamental rationale behind Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is that increased transparency and knowledge of revenues from the extractive industries will empower citizens and institutions to hold governments accountable. By implementing EITI at the sub national level,...

Among the various options for off-grid rural electrification, renewables-based off-grid electrification holds particular promise due to the double dividends it offers: reduction of poverty and of greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, off-grid renewable energy systems can be suitable for...

Die netzunabhängige Stromversorgung ländlicher Gebiete auf der Basis erneuerbarer Energien hat zwei wesentliche Vorteile: Sie senkt die Armut bei gleichzeitig minimalen Emissionen von Treibhausgasen. Netzunabhängige erneuerbare Energiesysteme sind insbesondere für weit entfernte, dünn...

The debate on whether natural disasters cause significant macroeconomic impacts and indeed hinder development is ongoing. Most analyses along these lines have focused on impacts on gross domestic product. This paper looks beyond this standard national accounting aggregate, and examines whether...

East Asia has experienced a dramatic decrease in output growth volatility over the past 20 years. This is good news, as output growth volatility affects poor households because of coping strategies that have long-term, harmful consequences, and the overall economy through its negative impact on...

This paper analyzes the drivers and consequences of sudden stops of capital flows. It focuses on the impact of external vulnerability on the depth and length of sudden stop crises. The authors analyze 43 developing and developed countries between 1993 and 2006. They find evidence that external...