The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
The World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) is The World Bank’s official open access repository for its research outputs and knowledge products.
Search the OKR ...
Search tip: Use quotation marks around exact phrases
Total publications: 39,211
Featured Publications
Recently Added
Publication Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Exposure Indices Methodological Note(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-08-19) Maliszewska, M.; Fischer, C.; Jung, E.; Chepeliev, M.The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to level the playing field by applying the same carbon price faced by domestic producers under the Emission Trading System to the emissions embodied in certain imported goods. Differences in emissions intensity between EU and developing-economy producers will then influence the competitiveness of firms in developing economies exporting aluminum, cement, electricity, fertilizer, iron and steel, and hydrogen to the EU. Indicators are developed to assess the potential exposure of developing economies to the CBAM, using measures of excess carbon payments relative to EU producers expressed as shares of total exports, gross sectoral output, and GDP. Although macroeconomic impacts are expected to be small, some countries (like Mozambique in aluminum and Egypt in fertilizer) could see economically meaningful reductions in competitiveness in the EU market. A few countries with relatively low emission intensity of production may stand to gain market share.Publication Spatial Analysis of Coal Transition Vulnerability in Indonesia(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-08-19) Tas, Emcet Oktay; Canpolat, Ezgi; Cole, Megan; Setyowati, Abidah; Woodhouse, JasminahThis paper provides a spatial analysis of coal transition vulnerability in Indonesia. It uses a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative data on exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to coal transition, summarized in a Coal Transition Vulnerability Index, with qualitative insights from stakeholder consultations and interviews. The paper explores the socioeconomic implications of dependence on coal and potential shifts in production patterns for communities and workers. It finds that vulnerability to coal transition is geographically concentrated, with provinces like East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and South Sumatra exhibiting high susceptibility due to their dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power generation. Case studies and qualitative findings further illustrate the localized nature of vulnerability, and the potential challenges faced by communities due to impending mine closures. The paper underscores significant socioeconomic and local impacts, particularly on employment within the coal value chain; highlights the disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups, including women, youth, indigenous communities, and informal workers; and highlights the need for inclusive and tailored strategies for managing the socioeconomic impacts of coal transition.Publication The Impact of Knowledge and Deliberative Processes on Local Spending Preferences for Climate Action(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-08-19) Erbaugh, James T.; Duncan, Hannah J.; Tas, Emcet O.; Myers, Rodd; Octifanny, Yustina; Harjanthi, Rahayu; Damayanti, Ellyn K.; Agrawal, ArunThe success of climate adaptation and mitigation often depends on support from local communities. Yet, it remains unclear what strategies are most effective to inform and activate support for climate action. This paper presents the results of a randomized controlled trial in Indonesia that evaluated how local climate information and different facilitation strategies for group decision-making on local development spending impacted preferences for climate adaptation and mitigation. In the first treatment, participants watched an educational video on climate change and a presentation on local climate vulnerabilities; in the second, they discussed and voted on spending priorities for local development funds after receiving the same educational materials; and in the third, they deliberated over group spending priorities after receiving the educational materials, discussing, and voting. The findings show that participants who engaged in deliberation about the allocation of local funding demonstrated significantly greater support for climate adaptation and mitigation actions as compared to all other groups. Further, they showed a statistically significant increase in their preferences for climate action after the intervention. The findings demonstrate the importance of sharing accessible information and using deliberative approaches to foster local support for climate action.Publication The Gambia Economic Update, Spring 2025: The Gambia Public Debt - An Achilles Heel?(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-08-19) World BankThe Gambia’s economy continued its recovery in 2024, driven by agriculture and services on the supply side and by public and private consumption and investment spending on the demand side. Despite increased service exports and robust remittances, the external accounts worsened in 2024 and foreign exchange reserves in months of imports declined. The fiscal deficit narrowed in 2024, supported by stronger tax revenue mobilization, which helped reduce public debt, although it remains elevated with a high risk of distress. While extreme poverty declined in 2024, supported by rising labor incomes and lower inflation, significant disparities and inequalities persist. Public debt affects The Gambia’s economy through public and private investment, interest rates, and access to private sector credit.Publication Job Accessibility, Commute Time, and Efficiency of Urban Transport: Evidence from Dar es Salaam(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-08-19) Iimi, AtsushiMany African countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. However, job creation has not kept pace, resulting in persistently high urban unemployment rates. Based on basic job search theory, the paper revisits the relationship between employment and transport connectivity at various levels, using data from Dar es Salaam, one of Africa’s fastest-growing developing cities. It shows that those who commute longer distances tend to earn higher wages. Therefore, enhancing the efficiency of urban transport systems is crucial. The paper also identifies variations in the relationship between wages and commute times across different transport modes. Commuters using motorized transportation, particularly private cars and taxis, generally earn more than those using nonmotorized transport. Hence, there is a potential risk associated with the overreliance on private transport modes. The gender wage gap persists in Dar es Salaam, but the positive effect of commuting on wages is greater for women, which can contribute to reducing the gap.