Our sustainability approach

We are proactive when it comes to sustainability.

Environmentally sound and sustainable development is central to the EBRD’s mandate. We promote it throughout our activities and have made it a core element of our work.

Our approach to sustainability involves:

• incorporating environmental and social requirements into the appraisal and implementation of all Bank-funded projects based on European Union standards and international good practice
• providing finance and technical assistance specifically aimed at addressing environmental and social issues
• promoting economic inclusion and access to community services such as water and public transport
• supporting projects that promote gender equality
• encouraging public participation through pre-investment consultation and information disclosure, and maintaining regular strategic dialogue with civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Stretching outwards from our foundation, we have a robust and inclusive Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) which underpins every project undertaken by the EBRD, where safeguards are put in place to prevent or minimise any adverse impacts, and where opportunities to improve the project’s efficiency and benefits for the wider community and future generations are maximised.

Our ESP has given rise to several other policies and strategies, all underpinned with sustainable development at their core – from our sector and country strategies, to our Public Information Policy, and our strategies for Gender Equality and Economic Inclusion.

We work hard to ensure not only that we are contributing to an effective and sustainable transition for our countries, but our work is also in line with the priorities of the international community, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Ultimately, having sustainability as a core feature of our mandate means the effects trickle down into our fundamental work as a development bank. Our projects, policy dialogue and initiatives, as well as our work with the authorities, our clients and civil society, are all underpinned by a focus on building capacity, innovation, growth and safeguarding for the future.