Environmental and Social Standards
FAO projects and programmes are required to adhere to the applicable Environmental and Social Standards.
FAO has two operational pillars and nine environmental and social standards, which are detailed below. Together, they underpin FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management and should be applied in conjunction with applicable legislation with regard to environmental and social risk management.
Operational pillars
Operational pillar 1: Screening, assessment and management of environmental, climate and social risks and impacts
FAO projects and programmes undergo a process of environmental and social risk screening, assessment and management. This process serves to anticipate and avoid adverse environmental and social impacts. Where the avoidance of adverse impacts is not feasible, the process helps minimize, mitigate, or offset them. Identifying potential risks and impacts in advance allows for informed decision-making to avoid and reduce adverse consequences and maximize potential beneficial outcomes.
Operational pillar 2: Stakeholder engagement, information disclosure, and grievance, conflict resolution and accountability mechanisms
FAO is committed to ensuring meaningful, effective and informed participation of all stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of FAO programmes and projects. Meaningful and effective stakeholder engagement is fundamental to combat inequality and ensure equity and non-discrimination in all areas of FAO programming, leaving no one behind. Meaningful engagement with stakeholders includes access to timely and user-centred information and victim-centred grievance mechanisms.
Environmental and Social Standards
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 1
Biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of natural resources
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 2
Resource efficiency and pollution prevention and management
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 3
Climate change and disaster risk reduction
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 4
Decent work
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 5
Community health, safety and security
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 6
Gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 7
Land tenure, displacement and resettlement
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARD 8
Indigenous Peoples
