Environment

Transforming Development Finance

We aim to shape international investment policies for energy and infrastructure projects in ways that protect people and the environment in developing nations.

A view of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil as viewed from down river.

How it Works

Mott aims to improve transparency, accountability, and social and environmental standards at the international finance institutions that fund major energy and infrastructure projects.

A row of open small boats on a shoreline are being filled with bananas.

We work internationally with the financial and environmental sectors to ensure that energy and infrastructure projects protect the environment, deliver sustained benefits to communities, and respect the needs of nearby residents. This work includes a focus on the investment patterns of emerging economies, particularly of Brazil and China, whose financial institutions are becoming major lenders for developing countries.

Our funding is made under two objectives:

Securing Infrastructure and Energy for a Sustainable Future

We seek infrastructure and energy investments that contribute to environmental sustainability and offer local economic opportunity.

We make grants to:

  • Regional and global networks and organizations that monitor energy and infrastructure investments by public and private institutions.
  • Intermediary organizations that can provide assistance and build capacity for local, on-the-ground monitoring of energy and infrastructure projects.
  • National organizations in key emerging economies, particularly Brazil and China, that can initiate dialogues to change policies and develop standards for national development banks.

Promoting Sustainable Regional Development and Integration

We seek international and regional public investments that contribute to local sustainable development, with a focus on South America.

We make grants to:

  • Networks and organizations in the Americas that monitor international investment strategies.
  • Organizations that build constituencies and capacity to develop sustainable investment strategies, including engaging agencies and members of legislative bodies in project monitoring.
  • Organizations that promote greater transparency and accountability at state and regional development banks in the Americas and monitor investments by those institutions.
Mott supports organizations in South America that are leading the effort to achieve sustainable energy development and minimize the social and environmental impacts of hydropower and other large-scale infrastructure on traditional communities.”
Traci Romine Traci Romine, Environment program officer

News

All Environment News

The ‘greening’ of development finance
A man in a boat pulls a fishing net up from the water.

The ‘greening’ of development finance

More multilateral banks are weighing social and environmental impacts before financing infrastructure projects in developing countries.