Environmental and Social Safeguards

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?

By Serge Troch (Vous pouvez lire cet article en français ci-dessous) We have been working in the North of Haiti for several years now, and our experience has helped us understand that supporting government agencies is critical for long term environmental and social sustainability. This can be achieved through a combination of both training and the creation and design of … [Read more...] about Haiti: Better Environmental and Social Management for Caracol Video

With nearly US$120 billion invested since 2005 and US$22.1 billion in 2014 alone, China is the biggest foreign investor in the Latin American region. China has developed its own infrastructure in a pace and scope unparalleled in human history. The country can bring a unique wealth of experience and know-how to help our region close its infrastructure gap. Transforming this to … [Read more...] about Why China is going to take safeguards more seriously