What is WB Safeguard Policy?
The World Bank Safeguard Policy is a formal set of environmental and social operational policies and procedures designed to ensure that World Bank-financed projects avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts, while enhancing positive development outcomes.
It establishes mandatory standards for project planning, implementation, and monitoring across areas such as:
- Environmental Assessment
- Involuntary Resettlement
- Indigenous Peoples
- Natural Habitats
- Pest Management
- Cultural Heritage
- Dam Safety
- International Waterways
- Projects in Disputed Areas
The Safeguard Policy ensures that all financed activities align with principles of sustainability, social inclusion, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, serving as a foundation for protecting both people and the environment from unintended project harms. Although the World Bank has shifted to the newer Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) for most new projects, the Safeguard Policy remains applicable to earlier projects approved under the previous system.
