EBRD Environmental and Social Governance Standards and Their Impact on the Market

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aims to achieve impact by integrating sustainability into its investment strategies, departmental scorecards, due diligence standards, portfolio supervision systems and technical assistance. This forms an important part of the value that the EBRD brings to its clients and countries of operations, as well as delivering high-level environmental and social quality assurance. All EBRD-financed projects must meet rigorous environmental and social standards in accordance with the bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and are subject to detailed due diligence and monitoring. In this way, the EBRD provides assurance to its management, shareholders and stakeholders that the bank’s projects will contribute to sustainable development and avoid or minimise environmental and social risks. The EBRD seeks outcomes that not only protect and benefit society and the environment but which also address the business case for sustainability by helping clients reduce risk, improve efficiency and achieve business growth. This chapter explains the practical approach with which the bank implements its sustainability mandate.