On June 8th, the IDB Group held its celebration of World Oceans Day by hosting the event Promoting the Blue Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean. The space brought together key leaders and experts to discuss the importance of safeguarding the health and productivity of the oceans to achieve sustainable development, climate action, and economic recovery in the region.
Project stakeholder engagement is at the heart of the Bank’s new Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF). But stakeholders’ concerns for their safety, or the safety of their families, can prevent them from speaking out about any grievances they may have. In recognition of this, the ESPF reflects the IDB’s zero tolerance to “retaliation, such as threats, intimidation, harassment, or violence, against those who voice their opinion or opposition to an IDB-financed project.”
The world's oceans and the impressive biodiversity they contain are a vital part of our planet. They offer essential ecosystem services that are critical to human well-being, such as providing food and water, regulating the Earth's climate, and supporting tourism and recreation.
We live in a world full of uncertainties. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are but two of the last examples. Climate change similarly comes with uncertainties, and we are seeing it with what happened in Texas in the last winter for instance: an unexpected change of “normal” climate conditions generated a serious humanitarian crisis due to the collapse of the power grid and water pipes, leaving millions without access to basic utilities.
Infrastructure is the main driver of human development, but it is also the main trigger for environmental and social impacts on the planet, such as those associated with the loss of biodiversity, the transformation of ecosystems and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, decisions regarding its design, construction and operation have incredible potential to create systemic change, not only generating clear economic development, but also promoting inclusive social progress and contributing to the environment.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) opens a space for us to reflect on good practices. To do so, we must first ponder again upon a question that may seem simple, but that ends up being decisive when considering and addressing the risks faced by the LGBTIQ+ community: why does discrimination occur and what are some of its drivers?
You might recall that in the first installment of this series we introduced you to the town of Tremont. Tremont is the backdrop for the stories that illustrate the risks addressed by Environmental and Social Performance Standard 9 (ESPS 9).
The equitable and active participation of women, men, LGBTQI+ populations and social organizations in identifying, preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) risks is an important mechanism to protect the most vulnerable people from these cultural manifestations of violence.
Equality between women and men has intrinsic value in terms of justice and human rights. Likewise, it contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Agricultural commodity prices have been very volatile since the early 2000s, peaking in 2008, then declining sharply until 2010 before starting to rise again (i). In 2012, prices reached a new peak caused by a historic drought in the United States, but then remained low over 2015–2019, a period that also saw a restocking of inventories of soybean, wheat, and corn.