The Equator Principles (EP) are a risk management framework for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risk in projects that can be adopted by financial institutions. The tool provides a minimum standard for due diligence to support responsible risk decision-making. The EP apply globally, to all industry sectors and to four types of financial products: (1) project finance advisory services; (2) project finance; (3) project-related corporate loans; (4) bridge loans. Financial institutions can officially commit to the adoption of the EP.

The EO100™ Standard for Responsible Energy is a set of rigorous performance standards for energy development projects that was developed by the non-profit organization “Equitable Origin” based on a consensus from industry, NGOs, affected communities and government agencies to incentivize excellence in social and environmental performance of energy projects. The EO100™ Standard provides a framework to monitor on-the-ground performance as well as company-level policies. The tool confirms responsible business practices through independent verification with the option of a third-party certification.

Envision is a flexible system of criteria and performance objectives to aid decision makers and help project teams identify sustainable approaches during planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects that will continue throughout the project’s operations and maintenance and end-of-life phases. The Envision system consists of different components: (1) The Envision Pre-Assessment Checklist can be applied early-phase and used to prepare later sustainability assessments; (2) the Envision Online Scoresheet provides for a detailed online self-assessment; (3) the Envision Verification provides for an independent third-party project review process; (4) the Envision Awards offer recognition for qualifying verified projects.

The World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) sets out the World Bank’s commitment to sustainable development through a Bank Policy and a set of environmental and social standards that enable borrowers to better manage environmental and social risks of projects and to improve development outcomes. The tool offers an assessment of environmental and social risks and impacts of projects throughout the project life cycle in a systematic manner proportionate to the nature and scale of the project and the potential risks and impacts. Since 2018, the framework applies to all World Bank investment project financing.

DJSI is a family of benchmarks that evaluates the sustainability of leading companies across economic, environmental and social criteria. The DJSI has evolved into a platform that invites companies of the S&P Global BMI to take part in the assessment which measures the companies’ performances and benchmarks this information with other peers from the same industry. The top 10 – 30 % of the most sustainable market caps per industry are selected based on their sustainability scores (percentage depends on individual index). Indices are available for the World, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Emerging Markets, Korea, Australia, Chile and the Pacific Alliance.

The DGNB System for Districts is a planning and optimization tool which helps to create sustainable and livable districts. There are three types of certifications available across the project lifecycle: (1) a pre-certification for urban development plans, (2) a certificate for planning and development of projects that are at least 25% completed and (3) a final certificate for districts that are at least 75% completed. Assessments are undertaken by independent, DNGB-trained auditors. A final conformity check is undertaken by DGNB before the award of the certification.

RepRisk is an ESG risk database that helps to systematically screen and monitor companies’ portfolios of clients, investments and suppliers, and flag those companies with high ESG risk exposure. The tool systematically captures and analyzes adverse ESG and business conduct data, retrieved from media, stakeholders and other public resources, that can have a reputational, compliance, and financial impact on a company or project. Daily, the tool screens more than 90,000 sources in 20 languages by combining artificial and human intelligence to identify and assess risks early at the local, regional, and international level. Additional solutions to measure individual risks are available.

The Climate Bonds Standard is an environmental standard to certify bonds that prioritize projects addressing climate change and to support investors in aligning investments decisions with climate goals. The tool is made up of two parts; (1) the parent standard detailing management and reporting processes and (2) a suite of sector criteria detailing the requirements to be eligible for certification. Based on independent verification reports, the tool allows to certify bonds already prior to issuance, requiring follow through for post-issuance certification. Issuers must report at least annually on the projects and assets funded by the bond, their eligibility and use of proceeds.

CEEQUAL Projects assists in delivering improved sustainability performance and strategy of infrastructure projects. Projects are assessed across a range of management, environmental and social criteria, using the CEEQUAL Online Assessment Tool. The individual version for Term Contracts has been specifically created for the sustainability assessment of civil engineering and public realm works that are undertaken through contracts over several years, offering two question sets, one for maintenance works and one for new works. Assessments are conducted by CEEQUAL-trained assessors and verified by CEEQUAL-appointed external verifiers (in case of Term Contracts in the first and penultimate years including yearly surveillance visits).

Green Mark is a rating system of the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore to evaluate the environmental friendliness of infrastructure assets, giving recognition to projects that have adopted enhanced environmental sustainability strategies and measures. The assessment process includes design and documentation reviews as well as site verifications. It results in a point scoring and, if successful, a certification. There are further specific applications available for new and existing buildings with different functionalities.