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Early Warnings Coverage, Determinants of Reception, and Benefits: What Surveys Can Tell Us
Get PDFEarly warning systems are a cornerstone of disaster risk reduction, enabling timely alerts and protective actions that save lives and reduce damages. Yet, despite their documented cost-effectiveness and potential to bolster resilience, early warning system coverage remains uneven across countries and within communities. Furthermore, there remains a gap in the literature around people-centered approaches to understand what drives early warning system coverage, the reception of warnings, and their realized benefits at the household level. This paper addresses that gap by leveraging four surveys conducted at different scales (international, national, and subnational) and focusing on different geographic areas (urban versus rural) to examine early warning systems from a household perspective. Using the World Risk Poll, the paper first examines the determinants of early warning system coverage at the national level, highlighting the role of gross domestic product, disaster predictability, and the likelihood that a country is affected by a disaster. At the household level, the findings show that warning reception is influenced by socioeconomic status, dwelling location, and access to digital devices. Finally, the paper shows that receiving an early warning is strongly associated with higher perceived resilience, increased adoption of preventive measures, and significantly lower casualty rates in disaster-affected areas. These findings underscore the urgent need to improve both the accessibility and effectiveness of early warning systems, particularly for vulnerable populations in low-income and high-risk regions
Exploring Plastic Circularity Opportunities in the Construction Sector
Get PDFMalaysia’s construction sector, the fourth largest plastic consumer, contributes around six percent of national plastic usage. Despite this, plastic circularity efforts have largely focused on packaging and consumer goods, leaving construction underexplored. The sector’s plastic recycling rate is estimated to be below one percent, highlighting the need for targeted initiatives. This fifth report in the Malaysian Plastic Circularity Series provides a detailed assessment of plastic use and recycling in construction, aiming to uncover opportunities for circularity and attract private sector investment. It forms part of a broader market study covering feedstock, infrastructure, policies, and sector-specific challenges across Malaysia’s plastic recycling economy
Spatial Analysis of Coal Transition Vulnerability in Indonesia
Get PDFThis 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
International Migration in Albania: Results from the 2024 Albania Household Migration Survey
Get PDFAlbania is a country with a highly mobile population and has one of the largest diasporas in Europe. More than one-third of the Albanian population is currently living abroad. The primary driver of emigration are the large wage differentials with main destination countries. Albania has the lowest average wages in the Western Balkans. Migration generates substantial economic benefits for Albania. However, migration has also exacerbated demographic challenges, putting pressure on the supply of labor. Sectors most affected include production, mining, construction, services, and agro-processing. Projections in the report indicate labor shortages will worsen through 2030, particularly for low-skilled jobs. Albania has developed its legal and institutional framework to effectively manage migration flows and support its mobile population, but challenges remain. The report proposes transforming Albania’s approach through a “globAL” workforce concept. Rather than viewing emigrants as lost resources, this vision recognizes that the population abroad remains connected and can contribute to development in multiple ways - through physical return, remittances, remote knowledge transfer, business networks, diaspora investments, trade connections, and international collaboration. The “globAL” workforce framework acknowledges that migrants ‘return’ in diverse forms—some physically, others through capital and knowledge flows, and many by maintaining simultaneous connections to Albania and host countries. Showcasing international examples, the report highlights the potential of this broader approach
Cyprus - Management of Earthquake Risk
Get PDFThe Republic of Cyprus (hereafter referred to as ‘Cyprus’) faces various natural hazards, including earthquakes. According to the National Risk Assessment (NRA) for the Republic of Cyprus, earthquakes pose the second greatest risk of high impact, following wildfires. Based on national and European-wide seismic hazard assessments, Cyprus is classified as a high-hazard seismic area, with the highest risk concentrated in the southern part of the island. Since it has been many decades since the last deadly large earthquake (the 1953 Mw 6.3 Paphos earthquake), public awareness of the earthquake risk and its consequences is relatively limited. Thus, risk reduction, prevention, and preparedness efforts are essential to mitigating the impacts of future earthquakes. This report summarizes the results of a rapid review of earthquake risk and management capacity in Cyprus, highlighting potential risk management actions and investment opportunities to inform policy dialogue and future research. The review considers capacity across multiple dimensions, including governance, understanding earthquake risk, risk reduction and mitigation, early warning and public awareness, preparedness and emergency response, recovery and post-disaster financing, and cross-cutting topics such as social resilience and the role of the private sector. Drawing on available information, each chapter reviews the general context, current arrangements, and key challenges and opportunities to enhance earthquake resilience in Cyprus
Rotas para o Nordeste: Produtividade, Empregos e Inclusão - O Caminho para Acelerar o Crescimento Nacional por Meio de Motores Regionais
Get PDFThe Northeast of Brazil is a potential-rich region, though it still has the lowest income levels and highest poverty rate in the country. The process of economic and social convergence with other Brazilian regions has slowed down in recent years. Recent growth has been driven by agriculture, even in a semi-arid and predominantly urban context, limiting employment opportunities for the largely urban population. Northeastern firms, less productive than the national average, are shrinking despite tax and credit subsidies. Lagging infrastructure also contributes to slow growth. While human capital has made progress, challenges remain in turning these improvements into better jobs and incomes. The report suggests policies to accelerate convergence, such as enhancing the skills and mobility of the workforce, reducing reliance on inefficient subsidies, and encouraging productivity, innovation, and a more enabling business environment. Also, there is a need to rethink financing and management of infrastructure to sustain development. In summary, the Northeast needs to adopt strategies that promote inclusive growth, increase business competitiveness and improve quality of life, taking advantage of its potential to boost national development.O Nordeste do Brasil é uma região potencialmente rica, embora ainda tenha os menores níveis de renda e a maior taxa de pobreza do país. O processo de convergência econômica e social com outras regiões brasileiras desacelerou nos últimos anos. O crescimento recente tem sido impulsionado pela agricultura, mesmo em um contexto semiárido e predominantemente urbano, limitando as oportunidades de emprego para a população majoritariamente urbana. As empresas do Nordeste, menos produtivas que a média nacional, estão diminuindo apesar dos subsídios de impostos e créditos. Infraestrutura atrasada também contribui para o crescimento lento. Embora o capital humano tenha avançado, ainda persistem desafios para transformar essas melhorias em melhores empregos e rendas. O relatório sugere políticas para acelerar a convergência, como aprimorar as habilidades e a mobilidade da força de trabalho, reduzir a dependência de subsídios ineficientes e incentivar produtividade, inovação e um ambiente de negócios mais favorável. Além disso, é necessário repensar o financiamento e a gestão da infraestrutura para sustentar o desenvolvimento. Em resumo, o Nordeste precisa adotar estratégias que promovam o crescimento inclusivo, aumentem a competitividade empresarial e melhorem a qualidade de vida, aproveitando seu potencial para impulsionar o desenvolvimento nacional
Liberia Economic Update, September 2025: From Stabilization to Inclusion: Pathways to Resilient Growth and Productive Jobs
Get PDFLiberia’s macroeconomic performance strengthened in 2024, with notable improvements in fiscal consolidation, inflation management, and external rebalancing, although the growth momentum moderated. Inflation eased in 2024 due to strong policy action, nevertheless rising non-food inflation during the latter part of the year signals structural weaknesses. Poverty declined slightly but remains high, requiring job-rich growth and improved data systems to guide appropriate policymaking. Credit growth softened in 2024, and the financial sector stability indicators improved, though rising nonperforming loans (NPLs) pose a challenge. Improved exports and the slowdown in imports narrowed the trade deficit, but concerns remain over investment and high export concentration. Fiscal consolidation advanced in 2024, amid stronger domestic revenue mobilization and sharp spending cuts. Liberia’s medium-term prospects remain positive, albeit vulnerable to both domestic and external risks. Translating stabilization into inclusive growth requires confronting Liberia’s employment crisis head-on. Liberia’s job challenge stems from the contrast between a growing labor force and insufficient structural transformation. Unlocking employment potential requires enabling firm growth, expanding production capacity, and addressing spatial and sectoral concentration. The transformation of Liberia’s employment landscape hinges on a four-pronged strategy. This strategy should be complemented by long-term investments in education and human capital, improved market access for local firms, and targeted incentives for firms that offer wage employment. Aligning industrial and labor policies with spatial development priorities and value-chain potential will also be essential to drive inclusive job creation and reduce regional disparities in employment opportunities
Measuring the Climate Resilience of the Power Sector: Harmonization, Not Homogenization
Get PDFAlthough by its very nature climate resilience can never be fully “standardized”, the development and mainstreaming of climate resilience metrics can benefit from greater consensus around key topics. Areas such as metric categories, methodologies, and reporting
frameworks can be aligned through coordinated efforts among regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders, enabling more consistent, effective, and scalable resilience planning across the sector. The key is harmonization and not homogenization
Fast Action for Floods: RCT Evidence on Forecast-based Cash Transfers from Bangladesh and Nepal
Get PDFAs increasingly frequent extreme weather events disrupt lives, institutions are turning to early-warning systems and advance preparation to accelerate aid delivery. A randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh and Nepal tested whether providing cash within days of a flood leads to greater benefits than delivering the same assistance months later—or if it simply shifts the timing of benefits without improving overall welfare. The results suggest that timely cash assistance leads to overall gains in food security and psychosocial well-being. This evidence supports efforts to forecast crises and release disaster relief quickly
Repensando la fiscalidad para el crecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe: objetivos, respuestas conductuales y avances tecnológicos
Get PDFRethinking Taxation for Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean: Objectives, Behavioral Responses, and Technological Advances” argues for a shift beyond the traditional focus on collection efficiency and equity to explicitly include economic growth as a primary objective. It highlights how taxpayers’ behavioral responses and technological advancements reshape the effectiveness and trade-offs of core taxes.
The report introduces targeted cash transfers (TCTs) as a powerful new instrument for achieving equity, potentially allowing for more neutral and efficient revenue collection through other taxes like value added tax (VAT). It challenges the conventional view of VAT as inherently regressive in the region’s informal economies, suggesting that consumption-based analysis reveals a less clear-cut picture. The report cautions against excessively high standard VAT rates, which can hinder growth, and suggests reevaluating reduced VAT rates in favor of broader base consumption taxes coupled with TCTs.
The report argues that the high corporate income tax (CIT) rates in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, coupled with a challenging business environment, incentivize evasion and discourage investment. It advocates for reducing CIT rates to align with other emerging markets, improving enforcement, and exploring public-private partnerships for tax collection.
Regarding the personal income tax (PIT), the report notes a narrow base despite high top marginal rates, which may penalize entrepreneurship. It suggests moderately broadening the tax base rather than further increasing top rates. It also proposes focusing on property taxes as a more viable form of wealth taxation, given the prevalence of tangible assets and the increasing feasibility of accurate valuation through technology, contrasting this with the difficulties of taxing highly mobile financial assets.
With recommendations for strategic adjustments to VAT and CIT rates, a moderate expansion of the PIT base, and more effective property tax policy, this report provides policy makers, business leaders, and researchers with a practical framework for building more effective, equitable, and growth-oriented tax systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The analysis is grounded in context-specific insights, encouraging a nuanced approach that considers both behavioral responses and technological progress.Repensando la fiscalidad para el crecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe: Objetivos, respuestas conductuales y avances tecnológicos" aboga por un cambio más allá del enfoque tradicional en la eficiencia y la equidad en la recaudación para incluir explícitamente el crecimiento económico como objetivo principal. Destaca cómo las respuestas conductuales y los avances tecnológicos de los contribuyentes remodelan la eficacia y los compromisos de los impuestos básicos.
El informe presenta transferencias de efectivo dirigidas (TCT) como un nuevo instrumento poderoso para lograr capital, lo que podría permitir una recaudación de ingresos más neutral y eficiente mediante otros impuestos como el impuesto sobre el valor añadido (IVA). Desafía la visión convencional del IVA como inherentemente regresivo en las economías informales de la región, sugiriendo que el análisis basado en el consumo revela un panorama menos claro. El informe advierte contra los tipos estándar de IVA excesivamente altos, que pueden frenar el crecimiento, y sugiere reevaluar la reducción de los tipos de IVA en favor de impuestos básicos al consumo más amplios junto con TCT.
El informe sostiene que los altos tipos del impuesto sobre sociedades (CIT) en la región de América Latina y el Caribe, junto con un entorno empresarial desafiante, incentivan la evasión y desincentivan la inversión. Aboga por reducir las tasas del CIT para alinearlas con otros mercados emergentes, mejorar la aplicación y explorar asociaciones público-privadas para la recaudación fiscal.
En cuanto al impuesto sobre la renta de las personas personales (PIT), el informe señala una base limitada a pesar de los altos tipos marginales máximos, que pueden penalizar el emprendimiento. Sugiere ampliar moderadamente la base impositiva en lugar de aumentar aún más los tipos máximos. También propone centrarse en los impuestos sobre la propiedad como una forma más viable de tributación de la riqueza, dada la prevalencia de activos tangibles y la creciente viabilidad de una valoración precisa mediante la tecnología, contrastando esto con las dificultades de gravar activos financieros altamente móviles.
Con recomendaciones para ajustes estratégicos en las tasas del IVA y CIT, una expansión moderada de la base del PIT y una política fiscal sobre la propiedad más eficaz, este informe proporciona a responsables políticos, líderes empresariales e investigadores un marco práctico para construir sistemas fiscales más eficaces, equitativos y orientados al crecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe. El análisis se basa en conocimientos específicos de cada contexto, fomentando un enfoque matizado que considera tanto las respuestas conductuales como el progreso tecnológico