IFC Sustainability Framework - 2012 Edition
The Sustainability Framework consists of
- The Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability, which defines IFC's commitments to environmental and social sustainability.
- The Performance Standards, which define clients' responsibilities for managing their environmental and social risks.
- The Access to Information Policy, which articulates IFC's commitment to transparency.
Policies
- The updated 2012 edition of IFC's Sustainability Framework applies to all investment and advisory clients whose projects go through IFC's initial credit review process after January 1, 2012.
- The 2006 edition of IFC's Sustainability Framework applies to investments that go through IFC's initial credit review process from April 30, 2006 to December 31, 2011.
- Investments made prior to April 30, 2006 are subject to the Safeguard Policies
Reference Documents
- Board Paper approved on May 12, 2011 [PDF]
- Summary of Key Changes in the Sustainability Policy and Performance Standards (Annex A of the Board Paper) [PDF]
- Fact Sheet: IFC's Updated Sustainability Framework [PDF]
- IFC's Updated Sustainability Framework: booklet version [PDF] | text version [PDF]
- The Business Case for Sustainability (brochure)
IFC Policies and Procedures
Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability:
Defines IFC's responsibility in supporting project performance in partnership with clients. Available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.
Learn more about the Sustainability Policy »
Environmental & Social Review Procedures Manual (ESRP):
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.
Access to Information Policy:
Articulates IFC's commitment to transparency. Available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.
Download PDFs: English | Français | Español | عربي | 简体中文 | русский | Português | Türkçe
Learn more on IFC's Disclosure Portal website »
Resources for Clients
Performance Standards:
Define clients' responsibilities for managing their environmental and social risks. Available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.
Learn more about the Performance Standards »
Guidance Notes:
Companion documents to the Performance Standards providing guidance to clients (and IFC staff) in meeting the standards. Available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Additional language translations will be posted as they become available.
Learn more about the Guidance Notes »
Interpretation Notes:
Interpretation Note on Financial Intermediaries [PDF]
Interpretation Note on Small & Medium Enterprises [PDF]
Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines:
Technical guidance on environmental, health and safety issues, such as ambient air quality, chemical hazards, and disease prevention.
IFC Exclusion List: Defines the types of projects that IFC does not finance. Learn more about the IFC Exclusion List »
* Note: In case of discrepancies between the original English text and the translated documents, the English text will prevail.
Short URL for this page: http://www.ifc.org/sustainabilityframework2012
