Tools

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.

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.