The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) defines the term “Safeguards” as a “set of policies to ensure protection against environmental and social harm, improve development value for stakeholders, and enable countries and clients to meet best international practices.” In relation to sustainability, the purpose of implementing safeguards is to develop projects that maximize … [Read more...] about Part I: Why are safeguards important for sustainable growth?
Environmental and Social Safeguards
How is an urban development project safeguarding a World Heritage Site in Suriname?
Preserving Suriname’s “Outstanding Universal Value” Last year when I went to Suriname for the first time ever, even the worldliest among my friends and family struggled to put the small former Dutch colony on a map. Suriname, along with Guyana to its West and French Guiana to its East, make up the “Guianas” a geographic region in north-eastern South America, considered … [Read more...] about How is an urban development project safeguarding a World Heritage Site in Suriname?
Simple as 1, 2, 3 performance indicators to improve operations
There are several tools available to manage environmental and social impacts and risks in projects. These tools include Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Frameworks, Environmental and Social Management Systems and Risk-based Assessments. What do all of those tools have in common? They define specific indicators to track and manage … [Read more...] about Simple as 1, 2, 3 performance indicators to improve operations
Five Challenges Posed by the Social Component of Environmental Impact Assessments
The safeguard policies of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) seek to guide the Bank’s staff and clients in their analysis of the potentially adverse environmental and social impacts of IDB-financed projects. One key tool in this process is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIAs are carried out whenever a project has the potential to produce negative … [Read more...] about Five Challenges Posed by the Social Component of Environmental Impact Assessments
Listening strengthens environmental and social management
The Latin American region has experienced numerous changes in 2016: new governments have been elected, new priorities have been identified, and many legislative changes have taken place. And yet, in spite of the institutional changes, the same environmental and social challenges remain in place throughout the region. Take legislation, for example—although it is overall … [Read more...] about Listening strengthens environmental and social management