In the 1980s the World Bank, recognizing that its development projects often came at an environmental and social price, developed a set of “Safeguards” aiming to protect vulnerable people and fragile ecosystems that might be affected by World Bank investments.
In July 2014, the World Bank released draft proposed updates of those standards, which are now being vetted through a global consultation process.
Although the safeguard review was billed as an effort to strengthen the safeguards to address 21st century challenges, instead we see significant weakening of the safeguards in the proposed updates.
NomoGaia submitted comments to the World Bank reflecting our practitioners view of these changes. Our submission to the World Bank is available below.
