Environmental and Social Safeguards

Normally when designing operations at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we analyze the institutional capacity of the executing agency and corresponding national authorities in order to mitigate environmental and social risks. But, is it possible that we’re keeping local authorities and communities –who are the first to feel the impacts and to supervise mitigation … [Read more...] about Community-based organizations: the first line of defense for project sustainability

Every year before Lent, Carnival takes place—sadly for no more than just a few days. During the previous twelve months, communities self-organize to make sure that everything will work out perfectly. What we see as a show is the tip of the iceberg of an admirable collective effort towards a common goal. The schools of samba in Sao Paulo and the comparsas in Barranquilla and … [Read more...] about Carnival, social capital, and better response to disaster risk

For the second time since 2013, the Inter-American Development Bank will be host to the International Association for Impact Assessment’s Special Biodiversity Symposium the week of November 13th.  The theme of the event is “Mainstreaming the Mitigation Hierarchy in Impact Assessment” and some 200 practitioners will come together to discuss lessons learned, current trends, and … [Read more...] about What do safeguards and flamingos have in common in Bolivia? It’s all about mitigation

On November 14-15, 2017, The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is holding a two-day special symposium on Mainstreaming the Mitigation Hierarchy in Impact Assessment in Washington, D.C., followed by two days of specialized training … [Read more...] about IAIA Hosts Special Biodiversity Symposium in IDB Headquarters, Washington D.C.

Earth Observation (EO) data is the most adaptive tool to monitor remote areas, where sampling onsite can be very difficult or even impossible. An overview of the same region can become available only through satellite information. Such technologies are currently being harnessed by the Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through … [Read more...] about Want to improve your development projects? New satellite technology can help