World Bank needs stronger safeguards to protect poor

While the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has been receiving much attention lately, the World Bank Group convened in Washington, D.C. over the weekend for its spring meetings. Among other things, the participants discussed matters regarding development finance, sustainable development and climate change in the lead up to major global conferences on these issues this year. Central to all of this is the review of the Bank's operational Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies.

The Safeguards have long been a cornerstone of the Bank's lending and delivery of development outcomes that both benefit and protect the poorest people. The current review process provides a much needed and timely opportunity to update these standards, responding to new challenges such as increased pressure on natural resources, including land, and the threat of climate change.

The first two phases of the Safeguards review and consultation were conducted from 2012 to 2014; through these, a first draft was produced. The draft addressed new issues including land tenure, climate change and gender, and provided more clarity on the use of country systems. These improvements are welcome, however, the draft has serious deficiencies and ambiguities.