TABLE 5.1
Processes for Environmental and Gender Integration—A Comparison
Dimension
Environment
Gender
Country-level approach
OP and BP 4.02 require the Bank to encourage and support the efforts of borrowing governments to prepare and implement an appropriate Environmental Action Plan. The Bank works with each government to ensure that information from the Environmental Action Plan is integrated into the CAS and informs the development of program- and project-level details in a continuing environmental planning process.
Similar obligation
Project-level requirements
OP and BP 4.01. The Bank requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus to improve decision making. EA is a process the breadth, depth, and type of analysis of which depend on the nature, scale, and potential environmental impact of the proposed project. Responsibility: EA for a proposed Bankfinanced operation is the responsibility of the borrower. Bank staff assists the borrower, as appropriate. The Region coordinates Bank review of EA in consultation with its Regional environment sector unit and, as necessary, with the support of the Environment Department.
No equivalent obligation Previously. OMS 2.20 required Bank staff to appraise whether the project design adequately took into account local circumstances that impeded or encouraged the participation of women; contributions that women could make to achieve the project objectives; changes that the project would introduce that might be disadvantageous to women; and whether the implications for women were included in the provisions for monitoring the impact of the project.
Project preparation
The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of EA. It classifies the project into one of four categories, depending on the characteristics and the nature and magnitude of its potential environmental impacts.
No equivalent obligation Previously. South Asia and East Asia and Pacific were reviewing the treatment of gender issues as part of the regionally required clearance for social development. This does not happen anymore.
Project implementation
The borrower reports on compliance with measures agreed with the Bank based on the findings and results of the EA, including implementation of any Environment Management Plan (EMP), as set out in the project documents; the status of litigator measures; and the findings of monitoring programs. The Bank bases supervision of the project’s environmental aspects on the findings and recommendations of the EA, including measures set out in the legal agreements, any EMP, and other project documents.
No equivalent obligation Previously. The project supervision report included a check box on meeting gender objectives, if applicable. This has been removed.
Project completion
Guidelines suggest the need to consider impact on the environment.
Improvement: The ICR includes a section headed “Poverty Impacts, Gender Aspects, and Social Development,” and guidelines encourage consideration of gender impact. Previously. The guidelines only encouraged consideration of gender impact.
Source: Adapted from IEG (2001a, 2001b). Note: BP = Bank Policy; CAS = Country Assistance Strategy; EA = Environmental Assessment; EMP = Environment Management Plan; ICR = Implementation Completion and Results Report; OP = Operational Policy; PSR = public sector reform.
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Gender and Development