EBRD Sustainability Report 2017

Overview

Our Sustainability Report explores the many ways we create impact. This report contains data on health and safety, greenhouse gases, and various other aspects of our project monitoring.



At the EBRD, we pride ourselves on measuring and reporting on our impact transparently and in an accountable way. Find out more here.

Highlights of 2017

Find out how our 2017 projects have boosted the green economy, used resources and energy more efficiently and made a real difference to the daily lives of millions of people across three continents.

2017 was a record-breaking year for the EBRD in many respects – and in terms of sustainability, we demonstrated once more that we have a key role to play in helping countries confront common challenges.

Find out about the highlights of our work in:

• Transport

• Road safety

• Nuclear safety

• Municipal and environmental infrastructure

• Renewable energy

Our sustainability approach

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 is multifaceted and involves:

• incorporating environmental and social requirements

• providing finance and technical assistance through our GET approach

• promoting gender equality, economic inclusion and access to community services

• encouraging public participation, and maintaining regular strategic dialogue.

Green Economy Transition

Launched at the end of 2015, The Green Economy Transition approach builds on a decade of successful climate and resource efficiency investments by the Bank.

Economic inclusion

In 2017 we launched our new Economic Inclusion Strategy and we are strengthening our private sector-focused approach to promote a greater economic integration of women, youth and people living in less-developed areas.

Knowledge-sharing and innovation

We increased our engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners in climate finance in 2017. The EBRD continues to influence and lead in this area, creating blueprints for other stakeholders to follow. Find out about some of the key initiatives we led last year.

Green Cities

Many cities face significant environmental challenges – poor air, traffic congestion, limited land, resource pressure and climate change – and so greater investment is key. Our Green Cities Framework (GrCF) builds on our experience of investing in municipal and environmental infrastructure.

Gender equality

Addressing inequality of all kinds is a vital part of sustainable growth. We promote gender equality through our investments – whether it’s to engage with our clients to improve equal opportunities for all or with our Women in Business programme.

Tracking and transparency

We have been tracking our climate and resource efficiency investments since 2006. We continue to assess and set relevant key performance indicators at the outset of projects and employ a robust monitoring system throughout the project cycle to ensure compliance and best use of resources, and enhance accountability.

Civil society

We proactively engage with CSOs across the regions where we invest. This helps us ensure our projects take the needs and concerns of local communities into account, ultimately contributing to the delivery of better projects and policies in transition countries. Our engagement with CSOs also enhances our own accountability and transparency.

Environmental Sustainability Bonds

The projects financed by our Environmental Sustainability Bond Programme (ESBP) achieve specific and meaningful environmental benefits and, collectively, comprise our Green Project Portfolio (GPP). The GPP ensures that the proceeds of our Green Bonds are immediately directed towards projects with positive environmental impacts.

Health and safety

We work with businesses and communities across the EBRD region to minimise any risks associated with our projects, to improve safety standards and raise awareness. Our involvement in various activities and awareness-raising events has helped to influence policy and standards in many of our countries.

The EBRD and the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflect a shared global vision of progress to transform societies and economies into a safe, equitable and sustainable future. This is in line with the EBRD’s work to bring positive change in people’s lives throughout the economies where we invest.

Of the 17 SDGs, our projects support these ones in particular:

SDG5: Achieve gender equality

We support the creation of economic opportunities specifically targeting women, improving their access to finance and services, and enhancing the quality of, and opportunities within, employment. Our Strategy for the Promotion of Gender Equality commits to “mainstreaming” gender into the Bank’s operations by 2020.