An area with high biodiversity importance or high conservation value, including a habitat of significant importance to critically endangered or endangered species or ecosystems; a habitat of significant importance to endemic or restricted-range species; a habitat supporting globally or nationally significant concentrations of migratory or congregatory species; a highly threatened or unique system; primary or intact natural forests; areas having biodiversity or natural resources of significant sociocultural or economic importance to local communities, including areas initially recognized as protected by traditional local communities (e.g., sacred groves); and biodiversity features, landscapes, evolutionary processes, and other ecological functions or characteristics that are needed to maintain the viability of the above-mentioned biodiversity and conservation values.
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; Equator Principles Association (EPA), "The Equator Principles 4," 2020, View the PDF; World Bank, "Environmental and Social Standard 6. Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources," Draft for Consultation, 2014, View the PDF.