The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) approved its Environmental and Social Safeguards Policy (ESSP) in 2020 with the aim of enhancing development effectiveness and facilitating the achievement of environmental and social soundness and sustainability of IsDB-financed projects. Complementary to the ESSP are Environmental and Social Norms (ESNs), which set out detailed standards to be complied with by the client; and an Environmental and Social Exclusion List, setting forth activities and items that are excluded from financing by the IsDB and that the client is required to exclude from projects. As part of the operationalization of the ESSP, the Bank has developed ten ESNs that the client must comply with. The development of the ESNs followed thorough harmonization and benchmarking with the policies, standards, and practices of the IsDB’s comparators such as the World Bank Group; the African Development Bank Group; the Asian Development Bank and others. The development of the ESNs took cognizance of the IsDB Group Principles of Corporate Governance that was approved by the Board of Directors in 2009 which echoes “Voice and Participation”; “Social and Environmental Responsibility”; “Accountability” and “Transparency”. These principles are not only consistent with emerging Environmental and Social issues but also converge with the safeguards and corporate social responsibility commitments of other Multilateral Finance Institutions (MFIs). The IsDB is equally mindful of the fact that the achievement of sustainable development and social inclusion is dependent on effective, participatory, and inclusive collaboration with all stakeholders, including vulnerable groups and fragile communities who can be directly or indirectly affected regardless of their levels of involvement in projects.

It is against this background that the IsDB is consulting with its Member Countries, Civil Society Organizations, development partners and interested parties on the ten ESNs. The Bank is soliciting the views of stakeholders on the adequacy and applicability of the ESNs in addressing the environmental and social risks and impacts of projects, including emerging thematic areas, as well as its level of harmonization with the policies, standards, and practices of other MFIs.

You are now invited to review the ESNs (10 ESNs, Exclusion List, Illustrative KPI’s, and Glossary) and then respond to the enclosed questionnaire. Your feedback should be submitted in writing via email address: esnconsultation@isdb.org

The consultation window starts on Wednesday, November 11, 2025, and will run for 15 days. The IsDB greatly appreciates your time as well as your constructive contribution towards the quality of its Environmental and Social Norms and looks forward to hearing from you.

The Environmental and Social Norms of the Islamic Development Bank