IFC Performance Standards

摘要

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) SafeguardPolicies have been the basis for IFC's leadership and approachto environmental and social sustainability. Based largely onthe World Bank's operational policies, IFC adopted its currentset of Safeguard Policies in 1998 in order to manageenvironmental and social issues in the private sector businessenvironment in emerging markets. IFC embarked on anambitious two-year process in FY04 to update all of theSafeguard Policies through a single initiative to develop thenext generation of a policy framework based on a clear,concise and comprehensive policy on social andenvironmental sustainability. Following an intensive reviewand analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps incoverage of the current Safeguard Policies, IFC has recast theSafeguards as a Policy and Performance Standards on Socialand Environmental Sustainability.The Performance Standards are often considered thedefacto standards even in the absence of IFC participation inthe project. They could potentially apply to all projects indeveloping countries.The Performance Standards contain clear and conciserequirements geared toward project outcomes and promoteperformance improvement through monitoring, reporting andfeedback. They place new emphasis on implementationthrough management systems, deal with social andenvironmental issues in a more integrated manner, andstrengthen policy coverage of issues such as pollution, climatechange, and biodiversity. In addition, the PerformanceStandards address a number of additional subjects of directconcern to the private sector such as labor and workingconditions and community health and safety. IFC's social and environmental standards are the buildingblocks for our approach to sustainability and are embodied inIFC's Safeguard policies, Environmental Health and SafetyGuidelines, and Disclosure Policy. Together these provide aframework to help our clients manage project risks andimprove their performance, and help IFC improvedevelopment outcomes and maximize the development impactof our investments.