What Do We Know About Unknown Complaints?

August 2021

Welcome to our August newsletter edition! This month, we explore IAM transparency through the lens of unknown or unreported complaints filed to IAMs. The Accountability Console tracks all complaints filed to any IAM, but what happens when complaints aren't reported on IAM registries? Research Associate Marisa Lenci looks at what unknown complaints are, why there are so many of them, and the implications these complaints have on transparency and accountability in international finance.

What's New

Updates to Console data, features, and functionality

DocSearch Export: DocSearch search results can now be exported into a CSV file upon request.
New Complaints: Complaints have been added from all registries for anything appearing through June 2021. Existing active complaints have also been updated as of June 30, 2021.

Research: What Do We Know About Unknown Complaints?

By Marisa Lenci — Aug. 2, 2021

What are "unknown complaints," and why are there so many of them? Research Associate Marisa Lenci explores why over two hundred complaints appear to have almost no information associated with them, where they come from, and what they mean for transparency and accountability.

Accountability Spotlight

Noteworthy updates on Bank and IAM policy and practice

New Board Guidelines at the Green Climate Fund Codify Governance of Environmental & Social Accountability

The Board of the GCF adopted new guidelines for how the Board responds to findings of its accountability office, the IRM. Key principles of the guidelines instruct the Board to: Expeditiously consider the IRM’s case reports, and decide on an outcome; Not initiate a de novo review of the facts but, rather, give deference to the IRM’s report; Approach IRM reports fairly, and in an unbiased and remedy-focused manner; Disclose any reasons for disagreeing with the findings or recommendations of the IRM in the course of a closed-door meeting; and, Include IRM case reports in the Board’s annual reports to the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Console Queries

Highlights of user questions and suggestions

I would like to share research I have been conducting using the Console with a wider audience. Is there a way you can help me do so?

We would love to explore ways to integrate original research using the Accountability Console into our newsletter, database, or general reporting. Console Users in particular are encouraged to submit newsletter articles for potential publication. You can reach out to us using the "Contact Us" form in the Support tab.

Where can I access old newsletter editions?

The newsletter archive is available here: https://accountabilityconsole.com/newsletter/

Ask A Question