World Bank breaks sustainability vow

A view of the World Bank building October 5, 2000 in Washington, DC. The World Bank bank lends money to developing countries around the world. (Per-Anders Pettersson/ Getty Images)

In December 2018, the World Bank made a public commitment: The international financial institution, known for providing funding and policy advice to developing countries, would align its spending more closely with the goals of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. 

But that promise didn't exactly pan out. According to a new report, the World Bank Group has since financed nearly $15 billion across 144 fossil fuel projects and policies, many in areas of the world already experiencing some of the most dire consequences of climate change.