IFC puts into practice its commitments to environmental and social (E&S) sustainability through its Sustainability Framework, which consists of three key components:
- Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability (Sustainability Policy), which outlines IFC’s commitments relating to E&S sustainability due diligence and supervision;
- Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability (Performance Standards), which establish the standards that IFC investment clients must undertake to meet in activities financed by IFC and define clients’ roles and responsibilities with respect to E&S risk management; and
- Access to Information Policy (AIP), which defines the scope of information IFC makes available to the public.
- Overview
- Phase I: Dialogue
- Phase II: Consultation
IFC is updating its Sustainability Framework to strengthen its approach and better align it with the challenges of today’s dynamic and complex global environment. The update provides an opportunity to develop and adopt an E&S policy framework reflecting a fit-for-purpose approach that is commensurate with the scale and complexity of the World Bank Group’s private sector financial products and portfolio, and which can address complex emerging E&S risks and global challenges.
Given the alignment between IFC’s and MIGA’s respective Sustainability Frameworks, the two institutions will collaborate closely throughout the review and update process. The update also presents an opportunity to explore further harmonization of the World Bank Group’s E&S requirements.
IFC is committed to a collaborative and transparent review process, following a structured consultation approach. The process will be conducted in two phases:
- Phase I: Dialogue Phase (9-12 months, anticipated to conclude between January and March 2026)
- Phase II: Public Consultation Phase (anticipated: April 2026-March 2028)
For more information on the proposed approach, methodology, and timeline for the update, please refer to the Approach Paper and Stakeholder Consultation Framework.
Expected Timeline
Expected Timeline

Contact us
Last updated: April 2025