Conflict Sensitive Approaches and the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability
Publisher: CDA Collaborative
Author(s): Michelle Spearing, Paul-Andre Wilton, and Dost Bardouille-Crema
Date: 2013
Topics: Conflict Causes, Conflict Prevention, Governance, Land, Programming, Renewable Resources
While the performance standards do not contradict a conflict sensitive approach and do address some relevant issues, they do not propose the steps that would be necessary to achieve conflict sensitivity in the business activities of client projects. Furthermore, in order to meet the IFC Performance Standards, financial institutions, donors and clients would need to apply additional conflict sensitive approaches to their projects in conflict-afflicted environments. In order to be conflict sensitive, the IFCPS would need to place a greater emphasis on conflict, per se, to articulate a higher standard of due diligence, and to mandate more robust management processes as minimum standards for projects in conflict-affected areas. This would ensure that a cohesive approach would build off of PS 1 and that conflict sensitivity would be incorporated consistently throughout the Standards. This would also ensure that operations in areas that are usually thought of as “conflict-free” will not create or exacerbate tensions that could lead ultimately to conflict.