2008 Highlights

Industry and Union Leaders Support IFC/ILO Program to Improve Labor Standards (November 2008)
The IFC/ILO "Better Work" program reached a milestone when international union and industry leaders expressed their unanimous support during meetings held recently in New York and Geneva, agreed to increase both collaboration and efforts to reach out to their national-level union members. Full story »



IFC Support for China's Green Credit Policy (November 2008)
In support of the government's goal to curb pollution and high energy consumption, China's Ministry of Environment Protection and IFC have launched a handbook introducing the Equator Principles, Performance Standards, and Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines to Chinese banks focused on managing social and environmental risks.
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IFC Supports Major Breakthrough in China's Green Banking (October 2008)
IFC welcomes the announcement on October 31 by China's Industrial Bank that it has committed to adopting the Equator Principles, becoming the first financial institution in China to adopt the principles. This confirms the bank's commitment to sustainability and leadership in corporate social responsibility and represents a major breakthrough in the development of "green" banking in China. Full story »



IFC Launches Better Work Vietnam (October 2008)
IFC, together with International Labour Organization, launched the Better Work Vietnam program in Hanoi on October 7. The program aims to improve working conditions for more than 700,000 workers in the Vietnamese apparel industry and boost the international competitiveness of the sector. Full story »



IFC and Financial Times Announce Sustainable Banking Awards Winners (June 2008)
IFC and the Global Banking Alliance for Women (GBA) recently met in London for the alliance's 8^th summit to promote ways to increase access to finance for women entrepreneurs. According to GBA, supporting women entrepreneurs leads to greater economic growth in developing countries. IFC has served as the alliance's secretariat since 2005. Read more...



IFC and Financial Times Announce Sustainable Banking Awards Winners (June 2008)
IFC and the Financial Times have announced the winners of the third annual FT Sustainable Banking Awards, the leading global awards for financial institutions that have shown leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental, and corporate governance considerations into their operations. Read more...



China Leveraging IFC Sustainability to Develop Green Credit Policy (June 2008)
During June 23-26, 2008, IFC hosted a high-level delegation on China's Green Credit Policy, including seminars and discussions with thought leaders on international experiences in sustainable finance and implementation of China's Green Credit Policy. Read more...



China EPA, IFC to Develop Guidelines for Groundbreaking National Green Credit Policy (January 2008)
China's State Environmental Protection Agency has signed a formal cooperation agreement with IFC to develop environmental guidelines for the country's Green Credit Policy. Director Rachel Kyte said IFC is committed to helping Chinese regulators and financial institutions adopt international environmental and social good practices in the Chinese market. Read more...