ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a comprehensive and consistent review of the evolution of 'safeguard' policies and procedures within the World Bank Group's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Development Association—particularly the policy as regards environmental assessment. In 1974 and 1980 the Bank declared its commitment, through the Cocoyoc and New York declarations respectively, to develop, institute and use policies and instruments for systematic examination of all development activities, including policies, programmes and projects, to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. In particular, the Bank's management decided to bring environmental concerns more systematically into the mainstream of its operations. The Global Environment Facility was launched as a pilot programme in 1991 to assist developing countries and those with economies in transition, in pursuit of global benefits in the four areas of biodiversity, climate change, international waters and ozone layer depletion.
