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

Oct 20, 2017

Good Practice Note: Managing Contractors' Environmental and Social Performance

This Good Practice Note (GPN) is aimed at helping clients implement sound, consistent, and effective approaches, in compliance with IFC requirements, to manage the environmental and social (E&S) performance of their contractors, subcontractors, and other third parties working for the project.

48 pages | © October 2017 IFC | Complimentary

Aug 24, 2017

IFC's Engagement in the Apparel and Textile Sectors in Emerging Markets

IFC works with apparel businesses and brands to increase their competitiveness while promoting their performance on sustainability standards. This brochure provides an introduction to IFC's initiatives in the sector, including partnerships, such as the IFC-ILO Better Work partnership; resource efficiency; gender programs; and financial innovations, such as Global Trade Supplier Finance (GTSF).

Aug 1, 2017

Increasing the Use of Alternative Fuels at Cement Plants: International Best Practice

This report, and an accompanying report on thermal and electric energy efficiency, provide a summary of international best practice experience in the cement sector and focus on specific technical measures that could be implemented by cement plants to reduce their operating costs and improve their carbon footprints. The reports provide a plethora of practical information from implemented projects and include detailed technical descriptions, estimates of capital and operating costs, as well as case studies and references from locations where the measures have been implemented. A combination of general and in-depth information will make these reports a helpful read to both management and technical and operating personnel of cement plants as well as to a larger range of stakeholders.

Jul 31, 2017

Good Practice Note: IFC Life and Fire Safety: Hospitals

The Life and Fire Safety Good Practice Note on Hospitals is a guideline for investment projects in both new and existing occupancies.

48 pages | © July 2017 IFC | Complimentary

Jul 31, 2017

Good Practice Note: IFC Life and Fire Safety: Hotels

The Life and Fire Safety Good Practice Note on Hotels is a guideline for investment projects in both new and existing occupancies.

46 pages | © July 2017 IFC | Complimentary

Jun 27, 2017

Converting Biomass to Energy - A Guide for Developers and Investors

This report serves as a practical tool for developers and investors who are interested in biomass-to-energy projects and wish to assess the technical and financial feasibility of different options for their businesses and industries. It covers modern biomass-to-energy technologies where biomass derives from the agricultural, food and beverage, and wood processing sectors. It can help with the adoption of best practices in the development, construction, operation, and financing of projects in this area.

Jun 13, 2017

Improving Thermal and Electric Energy Efficiency at Cement Plants: International Best Practice

This report provides a summary of international best practice experience in the cement sector and focuses on specific technical measures that could be implemented by cement plants to reduce their operating costs and improve their carbon footprints. It offers a plethora of practical information from implemented projects and includes detailed technical descriptions, capital and operating costs, and case studies and references from locations where the measures were implemented. Its information, which is both general and in-depth, can be helpful to management, technical, operating personnel of cement plants as well as to a larger range of stakeholders.

Apr 11, 2017

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities

The EHS Guidelines for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facilities include information relevant to LNG base load liquefaction plants, transport (by sea and land), storage, regasification (including floating storage regasification units), peak shaving terminals, and LNG fueling facilities.

24 pages | © April 2017 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Mar 1, 2017

Good Practice Handbook: Use of Security Forces: Assessing and Managing Risks and Impacts

This Good Practice Handbook on the Use of Security Forces: Assessing and Managing Risks and Impacts has been developed for IFC clients and other private sector companies and their consultants. The handbook provides practical, project-level guidance for companies to better understand and implement the requirements outlined in Performance Standard 4. Chapters focus on risk assessment, managing private security, managing the relationship with public security, preparing a security management plan, and assessing allegations or incidents related to security personnel.

142 pages | © February 2017 IFC | Complimentary

Feb 15, 2017

Tafila Region Wind Power Projects - Cumulative Effects Assessment

The Tafila Region Wind Power Project Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) is the first of its kind in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and North Africa region. It aims to promote more sustainable wind energy investments in Jordan while assessing and managing potential adverse environmental and social effects of renewables. The overall management and technical direction of the CEA was undertaken by IFC, supported by a team of multidisciplinary international and Jordanian experts and advisors.

184 pages | © February 2017 IFC | Complimentary

Feb 2, 2017

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Ports, Harbors, and Terminals

The EHS Guidelines for Ports, Harbors, and Terminals are applicable to marine and freshwater ports, harbors, and terminals for cargo and passengers.

35 pages | © February 2017 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Nov 17, 2016

Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Petroleum Refining

The EHS Guidelines for Petroleum Refining cover processing operations from raw crude oil to finished products, for example refinery fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas, motor gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil, heating oil, fuel oil, bitumen, asphalt, lubricant oils, waxes, sulfur, pet-coke, and intermediate products for the petrochemical industry.

35 pages | © November 2016 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Oct 16, 2016

Environmental & Social Review Procedures Manual

The Environmental & Social Review Procedures Manual defines management-approved tasks to achieve client compliance with the Policy and Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, Access to Information Policy, and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines.

88 pages | © October 2016 IFC | Complimentary

Aug 9, 2016

Remediation Financing in Bangladesh’s Ready Made Garment Sector

This study provides an overview of the financial needs to remedy structural, electrical and fire safety issues in Bangladesh apparel export factories and identifies constraints in accessing financing and barriers to remediation. It helps understand the current context for remediation in Bangladesh and what is needed for factories to access financing for necessary improvements. It also provides key stakeholders with relevant information to design further interventions.

60 Pages | © 2016 IFC | Complimentary

Apr 12, 2016

Survey Findings: Biomass to Energy in Ukraine 2015

The survey has been conducted among 200+ Ukrainian stakeholders: pellet producers, agricultural producers (agro-holdings), as well as district heating companies. It will be helpful for policy decision makers to shape biomass market support responses, for vendors to understand potential market opportunities, and for financial institutions to understand which financial instruments will be best to offer.

44 Pages | © 2016 IFC | Complimentary

Mar 31, 2016

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Annual Crop Production

The EHS Guidelines for Annual Crop Production include information relevant to large-scale production, harvesting, post harvesting processing and storage of major annual crops, including cereals, pulses, roots and tubers, oil-bearing crops, fiber crops, vegetables, and fodder crops, located in both temperate and tropical regions. It does not include the processing of raw materials into semi-finished and finished products.

35 pages | © March 2016 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Jan 20, 2016

A Solar Developer’s Guide to Pakistan

This guide provides background for those who are implementing or intending to invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Pakistan.

85 Pages | © 2016 IFC | Complimentary

Nov 23, 2015

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Perennial Crop Production

The EHS Guidelines for Perennial Crop Production include information relevant to large-scale plantation crops and outgrower systems and focuses on the primary production and harvesting through farming and plantation forestry of major multi-year food, fiber, energy, ornamental, and pharmaceutical crops, located in both temperate and tropical regions.

35 pages | © November 2015 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Aug 10, 2015

Unlocking the Potential for Private Sector Participation in District Heating

This report analyzes barriers to and opportunities for private sector participation in district heating (DH) in the Western Balkan countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, and Serbia, as well as in Mongolia and Ukraine.

70 pages | © August 2015 IFC | Complimentary|

Aug 7, 2015

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Wind Energy

The EHS Guidelines for Wind Energy include information relevant to environmental, health, and safety aspects of onshore and offshore wind energy facilities. It should be applied to wind energy facilities from the earliest feasibility assessments, as well as from the time of the environmental impact assessment, and continue to be applied throughout the construction and operational phases.

36 pages | © August 2015 World Bank Group | Complimentary

Aug 3, 2015

Leveraging Market Opportunities to Achieve Development Impact: Entrepreneurial Solutions to Improve Access to Sanitation and Safe Water

This briefing note captures the lessons learned from a recent IFC pilot program in Kenya that explored ways to harness private innovation, technical skills, and financing to equitably increase access to safe water and sanitation for underserved consumers.

16 pages | © August 2015 IFC | Complimentary|

Jun 20, 2015

Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants: A Project Developer’s Guide

This guidebook aims to enhance the understanding of how to successfully develop, finance, construct, and operate utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. It targets project developers entering a market and is also meant to serve as a reference source for contractors, investors, government decision makers, and other stakeholders working on PV projects in emerging markets.

208 pages | © June 2015 IFC | Complimentary

Jun 19, 2015

IFC Corporate Finance Services

This brochure gives an overview of IFC’s Corporate Financial Services and describes how clients can benefit from IFC’s advisory solutions that support private sector growth in emerging markets. It presents IFC’s unique value proposition which builds on the World Bank Group’s global network and IFC’s breadth and depth of investment expertise.

6 pages | © 2015 IFC | Complimentary

Jun 5, 2015

Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for Offshore Oil and Gas Development

The EHS Guidelines for Offshore Oil and Gas Development include information relevant to seismic exploration, exploratory and production drilling, development and production activities, offshore pipeline operations, offshore transportation, tanker loading and unloading, ancillary and support operations, and decommissioning. They also address potential onshore impacts that may result from offshore oil and gas activities.

42 pages | © June 2015 World Bank Group | Complimentary

May 27, 2015

Private Equity and Emerging Markets Agribusiness: Building Value Through Sustainability

This report has been written for emerging market private equity fund managers. It highlights trends in private equity investment in emerging markets agribusiness and promotes adopting environmental and social management systems to generate sustainable financial returns. This report has been jointly produced by Credit Suisse, CDC Group plc, Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

44 pages | © May 2015 IFC | Complimentary