This website provides practical knowledge and tools focusing on social, environmental and economic development issues for companies, civil society, local and regional governments.
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How to Value Returns on Sustainability Investments in Emerging and Frontier Economies
2011
This case study analyzes experience and learning from implementing the Sustainability Planning and Financial Valuation Tool (FV Tool) for oil, gas and mining sectors with two pilot projects: Newmont’s Ahafo gold mine in Ghana and Cairn’s oil pipeline in India. This study suggests that companies can develop metrics to guide their community investments and translate community program outcomes into company value, in terms that are understood by the market – risk reduction, productivity gains, savings, return on investment, and enhanced.
Guidelines on Indigenous Peoples Issues
2009
The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist the United Nations system and broader community to mainstream and integrate indigenous peoples’ issues in processes for operational activities and programmes at the country level.
Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
2007
The EHS Guidelines are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), as defined in IFC's Performance Standard 3 on Pollution Prevention and Abatement. Reference to the EHS Guidelines by IFC clients is required under Performance Standard 3. IFC uses the EHS Guidelines as a technical source of information during project appraisal activities, as described in IFC's Environmental and Social Review Procedure.
Climate Change: Filling the Financial Gap
2010
This booklet focuses on IFC's work in climate change, highlighting leading projects from all regions and explaining our role in filling the financing gap.
Water Risk Filter
2012
The Water Risk Filter is an online application for corporate officers, facility managers, and investors to analyze the impact of their business activity on the water supply, understand potential risk exposures, and obtain ideas for mitigating risk in a proactive way. To learn more about the Water Risk Filter, please visit www.waterriskfilter.panda.org.
Water is becoming a hot topic for business, yet most companies don’t know where to start in understanding and responding to water issues. This tool is designed to help companies and investors to ask the right questions about water - to assess risks and give guidance on what to do in response. The Water Risk Filter is designed to be easy to use, yet highly robust in the results that are generated. We want to enable users to plan and create strategies for their own company, suppliers or investments to drive down risk and become proactive in responding to water issues they face - and by doing so, become better water stewards.
Business Models for Scaling Up Energy Access
June 2012
While there is broad recognition that lack of access to modern energy has major implications for development, the energy access gap is increasingly being seen as a market. Given the vital role it plays in socioeconomic development, providing improved access to energy has typically been the role of stateowned power utilities, rural energy agencies, international development and nongovernmental organizations, and other public entities. However, with growing recognition of the potential for “base of the pyramid” (BOP) customers to become fast-growing markets for goods and services on the one hand, and the emergence of novel models for serving them on the other, the energy access gap is increasingly being recognized as a commercial opportunity, too. The nature of that market, and the segments within it, is the focus of this report.
Community Development Agreement Model Regulations & Example Guidelines
June 2010
Mines have the potential to impact communities and such impacts can be both positive and negative. Historically, mines have played an important role in impacted communities but that role usually ended with the closure of the mine. More recently, there is a strong interest by governments, communities and mining companies in the sustained development of mine impacted communities. Additionally, communities have become more vocal and self-empowered with regard to their relationship with mining companies, and their expectations for immediate and future benefits have increased. This move toward self-empowerment is often assisted by international or national non-governmental organizations. Increasingly, communities may actively resist new and ongoing mining projects unless they are satisfied that they will sufficiently benefit from such projects. In addition to impact mitigation a new focus is emerging on community development.
IFC Handbook for Preparing a Resettlement Action Plan
The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance in the planning and execution of involuntary resettlement associated with IFC investment projects. IFC’s policy on involuntary resettlement applies to any project that may result in the loss of assets, the impairment of livelihood, or the physical relocation of an individual, household, or community. The audience for this handbook includes: IFC clients; host government agencies that support private investment in development projects; nongovernmental organizations; and the people whose lives and livelihoods will be affected by projects financed by IFC.
Socio-Economic Assesment Toolbox
2012
Positive engagement with host communities can't rely on good intentions alone. To make sure a company's presence accords with your neighbours' own aspirations and best interests, you need an effective process to help create and implement your sustainable development policies. Anglo American's Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT) does just that.
Launched in 2003, and revised in 2007 and again in 2012.
Sustainability valuation: An oxymoron?
April 2012
Putting a value on sustainability initiatives can pose a systematic and universal challenge: their costs, like most investments, are readily apparent, but some of their benefits are difficult to quantify. The typical shareholder value framework can be expanded to accommodate the intangible benefits of sustainability initiatives. Considering both direct and indirect valuation methods helps analyze, prioritize and measure the contribution sustainability initiatives make to shareholder value.