- 07.04.2026
At the Spring Meetings 2026, Recourse is calling for development finance that puts people and the planet first.
For the World Bank Group, that means investing in sustainable, renewable energy systems that provide decent jobs and economic security, while ensuring strong protections and pathways for affected communities to hold the bank to account. The International Monetary Fund should be looking at long-term resilience and supporting countries to achieve their climate action plans. Read on for our demands and activities at the Spring Meetings 2026.
Stronger protections for people and the planet
2026 is a year of upheaval for World Bank Group safeguarding and accountability systems. A proposed merger of the Group’s accountability mechanisms will shape whether affected communities can access remedy for years to come. The IFC Sustainability Framework review also represents an opportunity to improve protections. Meanwhile, communities harmed by the Bank’s investments continue to demand remedy, including the Limbu (Yakthung) Indigenous People in Nepal and coal affected communities across the Philippines.
We call for:
- ‘Gold standard’ independent accountability mechanisms across the World Bank Group.
- A CAO compliance investigation into the IFC’s support to the Pathivara cable car project in Nepal.
- A ‘One World Bank’ approach to remedy for coal-affected communities in the Philippines.
- Proper consultation with affected communities and a dedicated Indigenous Peoples advisory group for the IFC Sustainability Framework review.
Renewable energy investments for security, jobs and access
Despite progress on renewables and reduced direct lending for fossil fuels, the Bank continues to support oil, gas and coal through direct and indirect means, as well as guarantees. In a volatile global context, the risks of fossil gas dependency are clearer than ever. Our research also shows that private sector-first models and export-oriented energy projects can cause harm to communities and nature, without safeguards — e.g. geothermal projects in Indonesia and Madyan Hydropower in Pakistan.
The World Bank Group must:
- Meaningfully engage civil society in the Energy Policy, Critical Mineral strategy, and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) reviews.
- Ground the Critical Mineral strategy in good governance, rights and equitable benefits.
- Expand the Just Transition Taxonomy and make progress on the joint MDB Just Transition indicators.
- Exclude fossil gas from Mission 300 investments.
- Direct public investment towards sustainable, renewable energy systems that provide decent jobs and economic security.
Long-term economic resilience over short-term stability
While the IMF’s engagement in climate issues in recent years has been welcome, it has proven insufficient in ensuring that countries can address climate change while maintaining macroeconomic stability. For example, IMF programmes in Argentina have led to increased fossil fuel extraction, environmental policy deregulation and reduced fiscal space, while Pakistan is again locked into macroeconomic instability due to volatile fossil fuel prices.
These meetings are the last big moment before the Comprehensive Surveillance Review and Review of Conditionalities are wrapped up.
We recommend the Fund to:
- Institutionalise mandatory impact assessments and a ‘do no harm’ principle, with ex-ante and ex-post distributional, gender, and climate impact assessments for all programme policies and conditionality.
- Align surveillance and lending with countries’ climate goals.
- Strengthen inclusive country-level engagement and coordination with UN agencies.
Our activities at the Spring Meetings 2026
As staff and shareholders of the IMF and the World Bank Group gather for the meeting 13–18 April 2026, the Recourse team are in Washington DC with partners from South Africa, Morocco, the Philippines, Nepal and Argentina. These partners bring first-hand knowledge and experience of the impacts and outcomes of World Bank/IFC investments and IMF conditionalities. We are campaigning together with the Big Shift Global coalition and are involved in several Civil Society Policy Forum events.
Join us in person or watch remotely using the livestream links below.
Monday 13 April
Side Event
Economic Sustainability, Distribution and the IMF’s Fiscal Policy Advice
17.00–18.30, Oxfam America offices
Register here
Tuesday 14 April
Civil Society Policy Forum
Mission 300 & Clean Cooking: Delivering Energy Access, Gender Justice & Health at Scale
13.00-14.30, World Bank I building, room I2-220
Livestream
Civil Society Policy Forum
From Policy to Practice: Upholding Consent of Indigenous Peoples in Private Sector Standards
15.00-16.30
World Bank I building, room I2-220
Livestream
Wednesday 15 April
Global Day of Action by Stop Financing Factory Farming Coalition
Details here
Civil Society Policy Forum
The IMF Review of Conditionality: Putting the IMF’s Money Where Its Research Is
14.00-15.30, IMF HQ2-03B-768B
Livestream here
Civil Society Policy Forum
A unique moment for synergy: Aligning OECD, WB, and IFC initiatives on responsible business conduct and development
15:00-16:30, World Bank I building, room I2-250
Livestream here
Thursday 16 April
Civil Society Policy Forum
Spillover Effects: The Fossil Fuel–debt Trap in the Global South
15:00-16:30, World Bank I building, room I2-250
Livestream here
Friday 17 April
Civil Society Policy Forum
Enabling Remedy: Strategies for Effective Implementation of IFC’s interim Remedial Action Framework
9:00-10:30, World Bank I Building, Room I 2-250
Livestream here
For media or other enquiries, please contact info[at]re-course.org.
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