Environmental and Social Safeguards

In spite of advancement in women’s participation in many sectors, globally “the share of women in construction industry has remained shockingly low for decades -– under 3 percent”[1]. Women are considered to be disruptive to an “all-male” workforce and have to confront cultural stereotypes, sexual harassment, and life –balance challenges. However, with a large portion of … [Read more...] about Three effective ways to increase women participation in construction works

A few of months ago I read a great book by Atul Gawande (The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right) which makes a compelling argument: when dealing with complexity, we can do better using the simplest of methods – the checklist. After finishing the book, I started implementing checklists in my work for two specific tasks: improving the way I supervise the environmental, … [Read more...] about The Power of Checklists

By Grace Menck Figueroa In November 2015, 18 IDB member countries came together in Lima, Peru, to attend an event of the Regional Policy Dialogue (RPD), to share their experiences in the environmental licensing process and the common challenges of ensuring adequate enforcement measures. In addition, the environmental public authorities also discussed ways of increasing … [Read more...] about Regional Policy Dialogue Strengthening Licensing and Enforcement Procedures in the Region

By Graham Watkins The “Paris Climate Agreement” was finalized in December 2015. The agreement supports national drives toward reducing global emissions and improving planning and institutional capacities for adaptation and climate resilience. The agreement potentially opens opportunities for additional concessional financing, particularly financing to support the seventh … [Read more...] about Can we protect our rivers and continue to build hydropower projects?

When we think of a hospital, we think of a place where our pains and illnesses can be soothed and treated, and where many lives can be saved. However, we do not think of hospitals as potential generators of negative environmental impacts that could affect the health of our community. A hospital that does not have, at minimum, adequate management of its solid waste, … [Read more...] about When hospitals cause harm, what can we do?