January 2012: The World Bank is seeking comments by civil society on an updated version of its Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (PPAH), first published in 1998, which resulted in the new World Bank Group Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSG), applicable to all World Bank Group projects.

On the basis of the new EHSG, the World Bank is in the process of clarifying in its Operational Policy 4.01 (Environmental Assessment) to refer to EHSG.

The Bank also has published a Pollution Management (PoMa) Sourcebook, aiming to broaden the scope of policy advice in parts I and II of the PPAH, and reflect on changes in the external environment, as well as the lessons learned from the more than 10 years of experience since the PPAH’s publication.

The Sourcebook is now online for a six-week electronic comment period, until 15 February 2012. [Publication: WBG Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSG)] [Publication: Operational Policy 4.01] [World Bank News Release]