World Bank Rolls Out New ESF in Nigeria
The World Bank Group will host high government officials and multi-stakeholders to a Workshop presenting the new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) in Abuja, Nigeria on April 3.
The new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on August 4, 2016. The ESF responds to new and varied development demands and challenges that have arisen over time. This new framework will replace the current Safeguard Policies, boosting protections for people and the environment, and driving sustainable development through capacity- and institution-building and country ownership.
On August 4, 2016, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) to help protect people and the environment in the investment projects it finances. This effort is one of several key initiatives, including procurement reform, and the climate and gender strategies, recently undertaken by the Bank to improve development outcomes.
The ESF responds to new and varied development demands and challenges that have arisen over time. The experience and capacity of many Borrowers has improved and our requirements have been updated to reflect the realities of today.
The framework brings the World Bank’s environmental and social protections into closer harmony with those of other development institutions, and makes important advances in areas such as transparency, non-discrimination, social inclusion, public participation, and accountability – including expanded roles for grievance redress mechanisms. The framework helps to ensure social inclusion, and explicitly references human rights in the overarching vision statement.
Strengthening national systems in borrowing countries is recognized as a central development goal by the World Bank and most of its shareholders. In line with this goal, the framework places greater emphasis on the use of Borrower frameworks and capacity building, with the aim of constructing sustainable Borrower institutions and increasing efficiency.
