In July 1998, the World Bank Group approved the Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (PPAH), for use in World Bank Group operations. This Handbook, which was compiled by environmental staff from the World Bank and IFC, replaces the 1988 Environmental Guidelines and supercedes draft versions of the Handbook which had been in circulation for comment and discussion.

Note: As of April 30, 2007, Part III of the PPAH has been superceded by the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines. Part III of the PPAH is available on our Archived Policies and Guidelines page as reference material only.

While the Handbook can be ordered through the World Bank Info Shop, you may also download the full text (PDF, 2.84mb) or search individual sections below, in PDF format.

PPAH Sections

Contents

• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Data

Part I: Overview

• Pollution Management: Key Policy Lessons

Part II: Implementing Policies in Practice

• Indicators of Pollution Management
• The Environmental Assessment Process
• Types of Environmental Standards
• Principles of Waste Avoidance and Utilization
• Efficient Use of Energy
• Monitoring Environmental Quality

• Comparative Risk Assessment
• Economic Analysis of Environmental Externalities, Pages 1-3
• Economic Analysis of Environmental Externalities, Page 4
• Economic Analysis of Environmental Externalities, Pages 5-9
• The Effects of Pollution on Health: The Economic Toll
• Public Involvement in Pollution Management
• Analytical Support for Cost-Effective Pollution Control

• Airshed Models
• Removal of Lead from Gasoline
• Urban Air Quality Management

• Water Quality Models
• Integrated Wastewater Management
• Optimizing Wastewater Treatment

• Developing a Culture of Industrial Environmental Compliance
• Environmental Audits in Industrial Projects
• Environmental Management Systems and ISO 14000
• Implementing Cleaner Production
• Management of Hazardous Wastes
• Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

• Environmental Funds
• Pollution Charges: Lessons from Implementation

• Greenhouse Gas Abatement and Climate Change
• Least-Cost Approaches to Reducing Acid Emissions

Part III: Project Guidelines

Glossary of Environmental Terms

• Glossary of Environmental Terms

Errata

• Errata