IFC Sustainability Framework
The Sustainability Framework articulates IFC's strategic commitment to sustainable development and is an integral part of our approach to risk management.
Our Sustainability Framework helps our clients do business in a sustainable way. It promotes sound environmental and social practices, encourages transparency and accountability, and contributes to positive development impacts. IFC's Performance Standards, which are part of the Sustainability Framework, have become globally recognized as a benchmark for environmental and social risk management in the private sector.
Originally adopted in 2006, the Sustainability Framework has recently been updated following an 18-month consultation process with stakeholders around the world.
Effective on January 1, 2012, our updates reflect the evolution in good practice for sustainability and risk mitigation over the past five years. They incorporate modifications on challenging issues that are increasingly important to sustainable businesses, including supply-chain management, resource efficiency and climate change, and business and human rights.
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.
Short URL for this page: http://www.ifc.org/sustainabilityframework
