24 February 2015
ILC Synthesis Responds to Revised World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework
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The International Land Coalition (ILC) has compiled a synthesis of submissions by its network of members regarding the first draft of the revised World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESF).

ILCFebruary 2015: The International Land Coalition (ILC) has compiled a synthesis of submissions by its network of members regarding the first draft of the revised World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESF).

The synthesis, which is the result of an in-depth dialogue process between the ILC and its members, aims to raise the profile of pro-poor land governance and its benchmarks within the ESF and assesses the Framework’s relevance to the ILC’s mission of promoting secure and equitable access to and control over land for the poor.

The synthesis: addresses the extent to which the draft does or could affect and advance the ILC’s mission; and recognizes that elements in the revised framework demonstrate an improvement of the safeguards, particularly for prohibiting and compensating forced evictions, and for obtaining free, prior and informed consent from indigenous communities when projects impact them.

However, the synthesis points out that: certain clauses and references in the document risk harming project-affected people and communities and the Bank’s capacity to effectively carry out its own objectives; and the revised framework dilutes existing standards, representing “a potentially dangerous signal to other donors and investors that look to the Bank for direction.”

More specifically, regarding respecting, protecting and strengthening the land rights of those living in poverty, respondents believed that the framework’s treatment of land issues could better recognize the importance of land to people’s lives and livelihoods. On ensuring gender justice in relation to land, ILC members believed that gender issues could be better mainstreamed in the framework. Respondents also emphasized the importance of inclusive decision-making and proper consultation with all potential project-affected communities, including those living downstream, and ensuring transparency and accountability. Regarding the latter, respondents expressed concern that the majority of responsibility for implementing the framework would be turned over to the borrower, rather than the Bank itself. The synthesis suggests that the Bank could improve its accountability through a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that weighs a project’s intended development benefits.

ILC members explain that policies that govern the disbursement and implementation of Bank funds have a direct impact on people and the environment, with far-reaching implications on the overall governance of land and natural resources. [First Draft of the revised World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework: Synthesis of submissions by members in the ILC network to the World Bank e-consultation]

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