Why We Write

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) criticizes the World Bank's draft Guidance Notes accompanying its 2018 environmental and social policy, stating that most notes lack tangible recommendations and fail to reference international human rights and environmental laws. While CIEL notes positive elements in the guidance regarding resource efficiency, pollution prevention, and core labor standards, it argues that the overall framework relies on vague language and excludes civil society from the creation process. CIEL calls for the Bank to develop robust, specific guidance and allow further civil society feedback to avoid reputational risks and ensure sustainable development.

• The World Bank's draft Guidance Notes for borrowers are generally viewed by CIEL as a disappointment because they lack actual recommendations and fail to incorporate years of dialogue with civil society.
• CIEL identifies specific strengths in the Guidance Note on Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management, noting its use of clear suggestions and references to international conventions on chemicals, hazardous materials, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.
• The Labor Guidance Note is praised for including Core Labor Standards from United Nations and International Labour Organization Conventions, specifically regarding collective bargaining, child labor, forced labor, minimum age, equal pay, and freedom of association.
• Most of the guidance notes are criticized for merely repeating the vague language of the policy and omitting references to international laws, human rights obligations, and standards for transparency, biodiversity, and grievance redress.

APA

Zendejas, C. G. (2017). Why We Write. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/why-we-write/

Chicago

Zendejas, Carla García. Why We Write. Center for International Environmental Law, 2017. https://www.ciel.org/why-we-write/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Zendejas |first1=Carla García |title=Why We Write |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=19 December 2017 |url=https://www.ciel.org/why-we-write/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{zendejas2017why, author = {Zendejas, Carla García}, title = {{Why We Write}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2017}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ciel.org/why-we-write/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }