An instrument that examines environmental and social risks and impacts associated with a particular strategy, policy, plan, or program, or with a series of projects for a particular region (e.g., an urban area, a watershed, or a coastal zone); evaluates and compares the impacts against those of alternative options; assesses legal and institutional aspects relevant to the risks and impacts; and recommends broad measures to strengthen environmental and social management in the region. Regional assessments pay particular attention to potential cumulative impacts of multiple activities or projects but may not include the site-specific analyses of a specific project. In these cases, environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) consultants should develop supplemental information.
Adapted from World Bank, "World Bank Environmental and Social Framework," Washington, DC, 2016, View the PDF; Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), "Environmental and Social Framework," 2021, View the PDF.