The African Development Bank’s Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures (ESAP) support the integration of environmental, climate change and social considerations in projects and programs of the Bank and its borrowers. The ESAP describe the assessment procedure for different project types and across the full lifecycle from country programming to post completion. Thereby, the ESAP support decision-making and improvement of project results, ensuring that Bank-financed operations conform to the requirements laid out in the operational safeguards (OS) and are thus sustainable.

The WELL Building Standard assesses and rates the performance of buildings in delivering spaces that enhance human health and wellbeing. Thereby, the tool aims to support buildings and organizations in delivering more thoughtful and intentional spaces by setting performance standards for design interventions, operational protocols and policies and a commitment to fostering a culture of health and wellness. The tool rates buildings’ performance using individualized, point-based scorecards depending on the use and occupational structure of the building (owner-occupied or rented).

The Watershed Management Optimization Support Tool (WMOST) is modelling tool that supports decision-making in integrated water management at the local or small watershed scale. The tool models the environmental effects and costs of management decisions at the watershed context, considering water flows and quality. WMOST serves to screen a wide range of potential water resource management options for their cost effectiveness, environmental and economic sustainability, including consideration of different climate scenarios. A theoretical documentation report and a user guide support application.

VELMA is a computer software model that helps improve the water quality of streams, rivers and estuaries by making better use of both natural and engineered green infrastructure that help reduce water pollution. The tool assesses different green infrastructure options for controlling the fate and transport of water, nutrients and toxics across multiple spatial and temporal scales, taking into account present and future climate scenarios. VELMA furthermore addresses longevity and maintenance issues for the identified solutions, depending on contaminant loads, soil properties and climatic changes.

LEED for Neighborhood Development is a rating system that helps create and certifies more sustainable and well-connected neighborhoods, looking beyond the scale of buildings and considering entire communities. The tool aims to encourage the (re-) development of communities that limits the expansion of development footprints and reduces social and health costs through measures such as improved connectivity and reduced vehicle use. There are two different options available for new developments (LEED ND: Plan) and existing neighborhoods (LEED ND: Built Project). A prerequisite review and a recertification option are available.

LEED for Cities and Communities is a rating system that helps local leaders create responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life. The tool allows cities and communities to select the focus areas of most import to their local stakeholders through credits and points while setting a baseline through prerequisites. There are two different options available for new cities and community projects in the planning and design phase and for existing places. A recertification option is available.

LEED for Buildings offers four different rating systems that support building sustainability throughout the life cycle: LEED for Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C) that can be used for new buildings, LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) for interior spaces, LEED for Operations, Maintenance (LEED O+M) for existing buildings and LEED Homes for residential buildings of up to six stories. The tools help decision makers and stakeholders to create responsible and sustainable buildings and continuously improve buildings’ performance. Recertification options are available.

The Hydropower Sustainability Guidelines on Good International Industry Practice (HGIIP) point out how sustainability performance for the hydropower sector should be defined and measured across a range of environmental, social, technical and governance topics. The guidelines present definitions of the processes and outcomes relating to good practice in the planning, operation and implementation of hydropower projects. As a compendium, the guidelines are a reference document for meeting the expectations of lenders, regulators, and consumers. The guidelines are complementary with the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Tool.

Green Star Buildings is Australia’s leading rating tool for new buildings and major refurbishments. Green Star Buildings sets out the criteria that must be met to deliver healthy, resilient, and positive places for people and nature. It aims to meet current and future demands on the built environment with aspirational benchmarks for addressing the key issues of the next decade: Climate action, resource efficiency, and health and wellbeing. The tool now includes different manuals that previously certified the construction and design (Green Star Design & As Built) as well as the operational performance of buildings (Green Star Performance).

The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) is India’s national framework for the assessment of environmental impacts of built environments with an individual version applying to new buildings and one for existing buildings (both starting at 2,500 sqm built-up area). For both versions, the net impact of buildings on quantitative and qualitative parameters is totaled and compared against a rating table, resulting in a sustainability certification. Thereby, the tool aims to support the reduction of detrimental impacts of buildings.