World Bank ' s policies and practice in environmental impact assessment Author Mahony S. Journal/Series Environmental and Planning Law Journal | Vol. 12(2); 97 - 115; 19 p. Date 1995 Source IUCN (ID: ANA-054112) Publisher | Place of publication The Law Book Company Ltd. | North Ryde, Australia Language English Field of application International Country/Territory Australia Subject Environment gen. Keyword Development agencies and aid EIA Abstract Fifty years after the establishment of the World Bank as a bank of ' reconstruction and development 'it is the world' s largest source of development funds and the object of strident criticism for its environmental performance. It is timely to consider its environmental policies with regard to environmental impact assessment (EIA), and the extent to which those policies are enforced. This article also examines the role of donor countries, such as Australia, which apply relatively strict EIA Policies to projects within their territory or which they fund on a bilateral basis; the role of the Bank ' s borrowers; and the political pressures on and within the Bank