India, Feb. 21 -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private lending arm of the World Bank, has decided against investing in a proposed $40 million loan for waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration projects in Gujarat, India. The decision comes after sustained opposition from communities, environmental groups and civil society organisations who raised concerns over pollution, public health risks and financial viability.

The proposed loan was intended to support Abellon Clean Energy Limited (ACEL) in constructing four WTE plants in Rajkot, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar, which together would have incinerated 3,750 tonnes of unsegregated municipal solid waste daily, according to citizen group Alliance for Incinerator Free Gujara...