The unbearable lightness of the sovereign greenium
Since 2016, many governments have issued ‘green’ debt instruments to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. This column shows that a yield discount on
AI for financial sector supervision: New evidence from emerging market and developing economies
AI offers opportunities to improve efficiency, inclusion, and oversight in the financial sector. This column shows, however, that AI adoption remains limited in most emerging
Credit and product innovation in emerging markets: Evidence from India
Access to finance is an important driver of innovation in developed countries. This studies a 2006 reform in India that expanded credit access for many
The solution to Europe’s housing affordability crisis must include building decarbonization
The EU can help tackle Europe’s housing crisis by reducing energy costs, decarbonizing buildings and adhering to climate goals. The European Union has little power
Lessons from Denmark’s eight-hour workday reform
In recent years, calls for shorter working weeks have re-emerged in Europe and elsewhere. This column examines how Denmark’s 1919 shift to the eight-hour workday
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the shifting landscape of trade and investment
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has reshaped international economic and political ties among countries and reorganised global value chains. This column reveals that the initiative
Conservation in the path of development: new data to guide road corridor investments
Biodiversity loss poses a direct threat to human well-being, economic development, and planetary health Biodiversity supports food security, clean water, climate stability, and livelihoods —
Cities that work: How urban tourism drives jobs
When cities invest in tourism, they invest in jobs, entrepreneurship, and growth. Marrakech is a compelling example. In 2024, the city welcomed nearly 4 million tourists, each
A Global Force for Good: Gulf Cooperation Council’s leadership in development finance
The global community stands at a crossroads. Facing climate change, conflict, and economic instability, the world needs effective development cooperation more than ever. In this
From space to strategy: using satellite data to drive low-emission development
Closing the data gap for low-emission development A low-emission growth path across key sectors — including agriculture, mining, forestry, manufacturing, infrastructure, and utilities — is
