The Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework (“ESESF” or the “Framework”) improves business practices of Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability by integrating standardized and structured sustainability measures across all of its work. This Framework sets minimum sustainability standards for Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices and its implementing/executing partners, and enables Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices to anticipate and manage emerging environmental, social and economic issues

The Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework serves six broad purposes:

• Support the implementation of the Post 2015 Development Agenda through closer engagement with Global Bank Group entities and partners to strengthen development aid by routinely integrating the environmental, social and economic sustainability dimensions related to its activities.

• It sets new standards of sustainability for the operations confirming accountability of Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices to member and non-member states, and to the co-founders.

• It enables Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices to minimize potential risks and harm while enhancing capabilities and credibility of the Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices with strengthened partnerships.

• It allows Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices to identify the full life-cycle costs of its operational choices and to operate more sustainably while improving efficiency over time.

• It enables Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability practices to respond more promptly and effectively to emerging environmental, social and economic issues as an attractive and trusted implementing/executing partner.

The Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework serves its broad purposes by employing two overarching Principles--the precautionary approach and human rights-based approach--plus nine Safeguard Standards, which are: biodiversity conservation; resource efficiency and pollution prevention; safety of dams; involuntary resettlement; indigenous peoples; labor and working conditions; protection of tangible cultural heritage; gender equality and economic sustainability. These Safeguard Standards mainly reflect a “do no harm” commitment, but as the implementation of the Framework evolves, they will be expanded into a comprehensive “do good” commitment in line with the intention of the Global Bank environmental, social and economic sustainability to promote environmental, social and economic sustainability in what the organization does.

The Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework consists of:

• the Global Bank’s Vision for Sustainable Development
• the Global Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy for Investment Project Financing (IPF), which sets out the requirements that apply to Global Bank
• the 10 Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), which set out the requirements that apply to Borrowers
• the Global Bank Directive on Addressing Risks and Impacts on Disadvantaged or Vulnerable Individuals or Groups

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