The World Bank Petrochemicals Project Tracker (officially titled the Global MDB Petrochemicals Investments Tracker) is an interactive database and map that monitors the investment trends of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in the petrochemical sector. It provides transparency regarding how development finance is allocated to petrochemical infrastructure, such as plastic production facilities and gas-to-liquids plants, which finance professionals may find relevant for assessing climate alignment and fossil fuel exposure within development portfolios.

Organisation behind the tool

The tool was developed and is maintained through a partnership between the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and the International Accountability Project (IAP). The tracker specifically monitors the financial activities of 16 different multilateral development banks, with a primary focus on the World Bank Group.

What the tool does

The tool provides a comprehensive statistical overview and interactive map of petrochemical investments. Key features include:

• Tracking of 92 petrochemical projects globally, representing over USD 10 billion in investment.
• Analysis of investment types, including greenfield projects and facility expansions.
• Breakdowns of funding by specific MDB, showing institutional market share in the sector.
• Identification of project locations and associated financial commitments.

Target audience

The primary audience includes institutional investors, ESG analysts, policymakers, and civil society organisations focused on climate finance and environmental accountability.

Relevance to finance professionals

• Risk assessment – Assists in identifying transition risks for financial institutions associated with continued investment in fossil-fuel-intensive industries.
• ESG analysis – Provides data on the “petrochemical loophole” where development banks may be backsliding on climate commitments by funding plastic and chemical production.
• Investment context – Offers insights into the global landscape of development finance and its role in supporting the fossil economy.
• Market insights – Tracks the flow of capital into industrial commodities and the infrastructure supporting the petrochemical supply chain.