IFC's New Environmental and Social Standards: Impact on Private Sector Lending

When
May 16, 2006 12:26 pm — 12:26 pm
Where
Washington, DC
Presented by the Environmental Law Institute
and the American Bar Association Section of International Law,
International Environmental Law Committee, and
International Investment and Development Committee

Please note: this event will take place at two live locations in Washington, DC and New York, NY.

Earlier this year the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, adopted new environmental and social standards. The new standards build on existing IFC standards that IFC applies to private sector projects it finances in the developing world, with a goal of making the new standards stronger, better and more comprehensive. The impact of the new standards will not be limited to IFC, or IFC-sponsored projects. The Equator Principles (a set of environmental and social guidelines, based on IFC standards, that have been adopted by 40 major commercial financial institutions) are being updated to take account of the new IFC standards, and to reflect knowledge gained by Equator banks and stakeholders during the two-and-a-half years since adoption of the Principles.

Motoko Aizawa, Policy and Corporate Advisor at IFC, will discuss the changes to the IFC environmental and social standards and their likely impact on projects internationally. Sean Miller, Director, Environmental and Social Risk Management at Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank, will address the expected changes to the Equator Principles, including those changes effected by the new IFC standards. William Thomas of Clifford Chance U.S. LLP, Chair of the International Environmental Law Committee, and Richard Horsch of White & Case LLP, Vice Chair of the International Environmental Law Committee will act as moderators.