The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced the final approval of its revised social and environmental standards last month, ending a process that has been wracked by controversy. The revised standards are expected to be reflected in changes in coming weeks to the Equator Principles, a voluntary set of project finance guidelines. The new Performance Standards introduce a number of additional requirements to IFC’s lending criteria. For example, large companies in the developing world applying to the IFC for a loan will now have to report on their greenhouse gas emissions. Other additions include stronger safeguards on biodiversity protection, the introduction of grievance mechanisms for workers and local communities, new measures on the use of security services, and guarantees for community health and safety.
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