RG-T3496 : Enabling Projects, Clients and Markets through Improved Environmental and Social Risk Management

This Technical Cooperation (TC) focuses on the development challenges of Environmental and Social (E&S) Risks. The TC's objective is to improve the integration of E&S analysis as a core component of (i) private sector operations development and execution, and (ii) standard setting at the market and country level. Outputs from both components will seek to deliver standard-setting approaches that are to the benefit of both public and private sector actors. It is predicated on the knowledge that the private sector plays a fundamental role in delivering sustainable development, however, can only do so on the basis of sound environmental and social risk management approaches; this is particularly true in high impact/high growth sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, industry and energy to name a few. It acknowledges that E&S risk management standards among private sector actors are lacking, but through the right interventions leading models can be defined for the benefit of wider society. The TC is aligned with efforts to strategically employ OC resources to contribute to the acceleration of economic growth. This TC will address E&S risk management shortcoming by leading the implementation of key flagship interventions with private sector actors and related entities that provide a demonstration effect (Component 1) and use those experiences to develop sound E&S standards, knowledge products and build capacity at the sector and country level (Component 2). This TC will support the efforts to strategically employ OC resources by focusing on key sectors such as infrastructure, corporates, SMEs, and financial intermediaries with emphasis on gender, climate change and E&S sustainability.