Publications

May 9, 2023

Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) Toolkit: Developing Sustainable Finance Roadmaps

This Toolkit combines existing sources, emerging trends, and lessons from Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) members into a practical guide to help regulators and industry associations design and operationalize sustainable finance roadmaps.

116 pages | © May 2023 IFC | Complimentary

May 8, 2023

IFC Climate Governance: Progression Matrix & Tip Sheet

The Climate Governance Progression Matrix is a tool to assist Boards of Directors in identifying and overseeing climate-related risks and opportunities. The accompanying tip sheet offers guidance to Boards of Directors on climate governance and recommended practices to assist them in identifying and overseeing climate-related risks and opportunities.

14 pages | © May 2023 IFC | Complimentary

Mar 7, 2023

Tip Sheet for Financial Intermediaries — Sample Environmental & Social-Related Contractual Provisions for Legal Agreements Between a Financial Intermediary and Its Clients

This publication provides an overview of common environmental and social contractual provisions and sample language for such provisions..

7 pages | @ March 2023 IFC | Complimentary

Mar 7, 2023

Technical Guidance for Financial Institutions — Assessment of Greenhouse Gases

This publication is a compilation of publicly available sources concerning the methodologies and tools available to guide financial institutions assess, set targets, and disclose greenhouse gas emissions.

50 pages | © March 2023 IFC | Complimentary

Feb 24, 2023

Tip Sheet: Guidance for Boards of Directors on Overseeing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Risk

This tip sheet offers guidance to Boards of Directors on the effective governance of gender-based violence and harassment risks.

16 pages | © February 2023 IFC | Complimentary

Jan 23, 2023

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - Energia del Pacifico, Infrastructure, El Salvador

In a country with a high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Harassment (GBVH) (estimated to cost the GDP 3.9% (2019), Energia del Pacifico (EDP) recognized the need to go beyond minimum environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements to boost its ESG performance and manage GBV risks.

13 pages | © January 2023 | Complimentary

Dec 20, 2022

The State of Gender Equality in Corporate Leadership: Market Monitors for Latin America, G20, Regional

The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative in partnership with IFC and UN Women have produced these three market monitors to present a ranking of stock exchanges based on gender balance of issuers’ boards in Latin America, G20, and regional markets.

6 pages | © December 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 13, 2022

Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management of Renewable Energy Development in the Sekong River Basin, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management of Renewable Energy Development in the Sekong River Basin, Lao People’s Democratic Republic aims to support decision making for sustainable development of renewable energy resources.

225 pages | © December 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 7, 2022

Analysis of Best Practices in Environmental Disclosure Policies

IFC and CDP, a not-for-profit, which runs the global environmental disclosure system, prepared a report analyzing the current state of best practices in environmental disclosure, examining more than 100 disclosure practices across developed and developing economies.

44 pages | © December 2022 IFC, CDP | Complimentary

Dec 6, 2022

Powered by Women Nepal Progress Update (December 2020 - March 2022)

This is an update from 19 hydropower companies who have signed up to IFC’s Powered by Women Nepal initiative to promote gender equality and diversity at the workplace.

8 pages | © December 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 28, 2022

Being Bold—Case Studies on Women's Business Leadership in Sierra Leone and Liberia

“Being Bold—Case Studies on Women’s Business Leadership in Sierra Leone and Liberia” presents four powerful examples of how women leaders in fragile markets are using their passion, intelligence, skills, and talents to transform their economies and societies.

22 pages | © November 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 24, 2022

Bridging the Gap in the Arab States: Emerging Private Sector Response and Recovery Measures for Gender Equality amid COVID-19

This regional report aims to inform companies in the Arab region and around the world on practices and initiatives for supporting women leaders, employees, entrepreneurs and those in value chains to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

39 pages | © October 2022 IFC | Complimentary

May 13, 2022

She Matters: Women in Kazakhstan Corporate Leadership

This study examines 77% of all joint-stock companies in Kazakhstan, determining a clear correlation between gender diversity and financial and non-financial performance.

86 pages | © May 2022 IFC | Complimentary 86 pages | © May 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Mar 11, 2022

Enquête Gouvernance et Parité -- Women on Boards in Morocco

This study, the first ever in Morocco and the Maghreb region, aims to gather data on board practices in the country and raise awareness about the importance of benefits of board diversity.

11 pages | © March 2022 CFA, IFC, PwC | Complimentary

Mar 8, 2022

How Exchanges Can Advance Gender Equality -- Updated Guidance and Best Practice

In this joint report, UN SSE and IFC identify three broad areas where stock exchanges can play a role in advancing gender equality, namely the promotion of gender-focused and/or gender-aware products and services, strengthening of market performance on gender equality, and leading by example.

51 pages | © March 2022 SSE, IFC | Complimentary

Mar 8, 2022

Realizing Sustainability through Diversity: The Case for Gender Diversity Among Sri Lanka's Business Leadership

This Updated Edition of Realizing Sustainability through Diversity: The Case for Gender Diversity Among Sri Lanka's Business Leadership highlights the progress made by Sri Lankan companies in bringing more women to their boardrooms.

57 pages | © March 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Jan 31, 2022

Supporting Companies to Develop and Manage Community-Based Grievance and Feedback Mechanisms Regarding Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

This toolkit is intended to support private sector companies to amend existing community-based grievance and feedback mechanisms, or develop new mechanisms, that are designed to receive and effectively manage reports of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

20 pages | © January 2022 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 31, 2021

Trishuli Assessment Tool Field Manual: A Standardized Methodology for Freshwater Aquatic Biodiversity Sampling and Long-Term Monitoring for Hydropower Projects in the Himalayan Region

This field manual provides guidance for implementing the Trishuli Assessment Tool in the rivers of Nepal and other Himalayan regions.

108 pages | @ December 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 10, 2021

IFC ESG Guidebook

IFC has created this guidebook as part of a broader effort to raise awareness of ESG issues among companies and investors in developing markets.

84 pages | © December 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 29, 2021

Accelerating Sustainable Finance Together: Global Progress Report of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network

The third SBFN Global Progress Report captures the significant increase in collective efforts across all parts of the financial sector, and between regulators and industry, to develop shared enabling frameworks for sustainable finance.

116 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 1, 2021

How to Support Your Company to Write and Implement a Workplace Policy for Prevention of Sexual Harassment

This tip sheet provides ‘How To’ steps for integrating the systematic prevention of sexual harassment into human resources policies.

14 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 1, 2021

How to Support Your Company to Write and Implement an Employee Code of Conduct for Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

This tip sheet provides ‘How To’ steps to ensure that prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is systematically integrated into codes of conduct.

14 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 1, 2021

How to Support Your Company to Establish and Manage a Worker Grievance Mechanism for Sexual Harassment

This tip sheet provides ‘How To’ steps to ensure that the issue of addressing sexual harassment is systematically integrated into company grievance processes.

14 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 1, 2021

How to Support Your Company to Develop a Community-Based Grievance Mechanism for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

This tip sheet provides ‘How To’ steps for addressing gender-related grievances from affected communities, including stakeholder consultation and how to set up a community-based grievance mechanism.

14 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Jun 30, 2021

Strategy for Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Jhelum Poonch River Basin Pakistan

The strategy for sustainable hydropower development described in this document aims to balance conservation and development as well as minimize the negative environmental and social impacts of hydropower projects in the basin.

334 pages | © June 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Feb 1, 2005

Ecolodges: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Business

This publication summarizes the results of research on the triple bottom line from two studies, emphasizing environmental, social and economic sustainability in the ecolodge sector.

Jan 1, 2005

Gender and Economic Growth in Uganda

This landmark report reflects the government of Uganda's concern that without the full economic contribution of both men and women, opportunities for job creation and economic growth are being missed.

Dec 1, 2004

HIV/AIDS Guide for the Mining Sector

Southern Africa is particularly affected by HIV/AIDS. The disease already has a major impact in the economies in the region and especially on the mining sector, which is a key business driver. Based on southern African experience, the Guide for the mining sector provides practical advice and management guidance that will help companies implement intervention strategies.

Sep 1, 2004

Sustainability Banking in Africa

This report looks at the role of the financial sector in Africa in promoting sustainability and identifies a number of innovations demonstrating sustainability banking in different countries in Africa.

Jun 1, 2004

Who Cares Wins — Connecting Financial Markets to a Changing World

The focus of the report is a series of recommendations which taken together seek to address the central issue of integrating environmental, social and governance value drivers into financial market research, analysis and investment.

Apr 2, 2004

2003 Sustainability Review

An annual overview of IFC's commitment to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries.

Dec 1, 2003

Good Practice Note: Addressing the Social Dimensions of Private Sector Projects

This Good Practice Note provides guidance on how to identify and assess project-related social issues and also provides guidance on options for social "value added" and sustainable development opportunities that may arise in project development.

Oct 31, 2003

Focus 2: Guidance for Directors of Banks

This manual, for present and prospective directors of non-complex banks, is intended to provide a guide to emerging international best practice. It is designed to help boards of directors in a practical way attain and maintain a high standard of internal governance.

52 pages | © October 2003 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 1, 2003

SRI in Asian Emerging Markets - ASrIA Reports

The purpose of this set of reports is to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information on the status of socially responsible investing (SRI) in seven of Asia's emerging markets and, through this work, to advise on potential next steps for further developing SRI in Asia.

Oct 1, 2003

Towards Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Emerging Markets

This report surveys the current status of socially responsible investment in emerging markets, assesses its growth potential, and recommends steps that could help catalyze that potential.

Jul 1, 2003

Toolkit 1: Developing Corporate Governance Codes of Best Practice

The toolkit distills practical experience from 17 developed and developing countries and provides practical advice on building organizations that train corporate directors in sound corporate governance practices.

28 pages | © July 2003 IFC | Complimentary

Jan 1, 2003

Beyond Risk

"Beyond Risk" is a casebook on sustainability in the emerging markets financial sector. It documents how the sector has increasingly integrated environmental issues into day-to-day operations.

Dec 1, 2002

Good Practice Note: HIV/AIDS in the Workplace

This document is intended to provide good practice guidance for conducting a health impact assessment (HIA) to determine potential impacts on community health as a result of project development.

Dec 1, 2002

Case Study Excerpt - Plantation Workers Benefit from NGO Partnership with Unilever in Ghana

The Unilever Company in Ghana was alarmed by the potential effects HIV/AIDS could have on its workers and the surrounding community; an estimated 100,000 people. Unilever partnered with a local NGO to improve its existing workplace program and reached nearly two thousand employees, their families, and the surrounding community.

Aug 1, 2002

Developing Value: The Business Case for Sustainability in Emerging Markets

Based on more than 240 real-life examples in over 60 countries, Developing Value is the first large-scale study analyzing the business case for sustainability in emerging markets.

Jun 1, 2002

Good Practice Note: Addressing Child Labor in the Workplace and Supply Chain

The Note seeks to provide companies who are interested in addressing the topic of child labor with a range of basic, good practice approaches that other businesses have successfully applied in addressing the issue of harmful child labor in their workplaces and those of their vendors and suppliers.

Mar 1, 2002

Handbook for Preparing a Resettlement Action Plan

The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to project sponsors in complying with World Bank Group's policy on Involuntary Resettlement (OD 4.30) and in preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).

Jan 1, 2001

Voices of Women in the Private Sector

This report highlights some of the entrepreneurial obstacles and needs faced by women in Indonesia's micro, small and medium enterprises, from legal discrimination to educational disadvantage; social pressures and access to finance issues.

Jan 1, 2001

Public Private Partnerships — Promoting Gender Equity — The Gender and Growth Assessment for Uganda

The Gender and Growth Assessment identified specific legal and administrative barriers to investment that have a gender dimension and suggested that Uganda could gain as much as 2% growth per annum by addressing gender inequalities.

Jan 1, 2001

Gender Equal Land Laws: Driving Businesses Forward

Not having comprehensive rights to land restricts the way in which land can be used as collateral for business borrowing, and both hampers credit markets and dampens the business environment in general.

Jan 1, 2001

Access to Finance for Women - Leveraging Donor Funding to Assist Highly Disadvantaged Women Across Africa

This report focuses on AWDF, an Africa-wide fundraising and grant-making initiative for African women. It is the first attempt at an Africawide philanthropic institution promoting social change through the funding of autonomous women's organizations.

Jan 1, 2001

Investing in People: Sustaining Communities Through Improved Business Practice

This Guide aims to further IFC's mission to "promote private sector investment in developing countries, which will reduce poverty and improve people's lives." It seeks to help interested companies by drawing on the community development experiences of some of the world's leading companies.

Mar 1, 1999

Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook

The purpose of this study is to examine whether stabilization clauses, a widely used risk-management device in investment contracts, may affect a state’s action to implement its international human rights obligations.

Nov 1, 1998

Doing Better Business Through Effective Public Consultation: A Good Practice Manual

Public consultation, as referred to in this Good Practice Manual, is a tool for managing two-way communication between the project sponsor and the public. Its goal is to improve decision-making and build understanding by actively involving individuals, groups and organizations with a stake in the project. This involvement will increase a project's long-term viability and enhance its benefits to locally affected people and other stakeholders.