Green hydrogen retreat poses threat to emissions targets
Green hydrogen developers are cancelling projects and trimming investments around the world, raising the prospect of longer than targeted reliance on fossil fuels. The challenges facing the
Hacking the heat: How data innovations can help cities face a rising threat
In Paris, authorities closed more than 1,000 schools — and the summit of the Eiffel Tower — during last month’s heatwave. In Eastern China, the power grid
Powering the energy future of Europe and Central Asia
The prosperity and economic transformation of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) hinge on making energy reliable and affordable for all. Across the region, many countries
The looming global debt disaster
Despite a succession of shocks since 2020, the global economy has held up remarkably well—so far. But the margin for error is dwindling. Total global
What will it cost to build the cities of the future?
Cities are engines of economic growth and job creation, and their future pathways will shape global development outcomes for decades to come. But the success
Shifting gears: how the private sector can be an engine of growth in MENA
The global economy is facing heightened uncertainty, clouding economic forecasts. In our recently launched April 2025 Middle East and North Africa Economic Update , we report that
Going bigger, faster, together: Unlocking Eastern and Southern Africa’s digital future
Imagine getting to work on a program that will bring internet access and digitally enabled services to 180 million people. Opportunities like these illustrate the
Weathering the storm: The role of adaptation in mitigating the economic impact of floods
Floods are the costliest type of natural disaster in Europe, but little is known about whether adaptation investments such as flood defences can shield the
Who supplies and demands safe assets – and why it matters
21 Apr 2025 Safe assets are the building blocks of modern financial markets. This column examines the sectoral dynamics of safe assets across advanced economies
