Environmental and Social Management Framework: ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility - Green Recovery Program (ACGF GRP)

Abstract

The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility Green Recovery Program (ACGF GRP) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been developed to ensure that environmental and social risks and impacts from all projects under the program will be minimized and mitigated to acceptable levels. The ESMF sets out the principles, rules, procedures and guidelines for conducting environmental and social due diligence of potential ACGF GRP projects. All ACGF GRP projects will be subject to ADB’s safeguards policies and requirements as outlined in ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS).1 Should ADB safeguards policies be amended over the course of the program, ADB safeguards requirements applicable at the time of preparation of the project will apply. ADB's SPS aims to help developing member countries (DMCs) address environmental and social risks in development projects and minimize and mitigate, if not avoid, adverse project impacts on people and the environment. Approved by ADB’s Board of Directors in July 2009, the ADB SPS builds upon three previous safeguard policies on the environment, involuntary resettlement, and Indigenous Peoples, and brings them into a consolidated policy framework that enhances effectiveness and relevance. In the implementation of the SPS, ADB works with borrowers to put policy principles and requirements into practice through project review and supervision, and capacity development support. The SPS also provides a platform for participation by affected people and other stakeholders in project design and implementation. ADB’s SPS involves a structured process of impact screening, assessment, planning, and mitigation to address the adverse effects of projects throughout the project cycle. The safeguard policies require that (i) impacts are identified and assessed early in the project cycle; (ii) plans to avoid, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for the potential adverse impacts are developed and implemented; and (iii) affected people are informed and consulted during project preparation and implementation.