Environmental and Social Sustainability

Environment and climate are core strategic priorities and cross-cutting themes for the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). AKF is committed to contributing to climate resilience and meeting the global climate and development targets outlined in the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Policy for Environmental and Social Sustainability

The Policy for Environmental and Social Sustainability (PESS) provides a strategic framework to ensure that AKF’s programming supports and contributes to AKDN’s environmental and climate commitments and international goals, while adhering to best practices in environmental and social sustainability and responding effectively to the growing risks posed by climate change. The PESS aligns closely with the ESS processes and legal requirements of funding agencies and host governments.

The PESS:

• Sets out a unified and effective approach and process for ESS and climate resilience integration throughout AKF’s global programming.

• Provides a clear commitment to accountability and resourcing, including capacity development through training programs, technical support and regular workshops for AKF staff, partners and communities.

• Provides guidance for ESS integration across all stages of the project cycle.

• Strengthens the capacity of the AKF and its partners (including communities, governments, CSOs) in integrating ESS and climate resilience into development programming.

• Supports the identification and mitigation of ESS and climate resilience measures and activities throughout all sectors of AKF’s programming.

Environmental Assessments

The PESS sets out AKF’s Environmental and Social Integration process, based on IFC performance standards, to provide a framework that ensures all projects will meet robust environmental and social requirements. All AKF projects go through environmental screening. Where required, project-wide Environmental and Social Management Systems are developed, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments are conducted.

To enable public feedback and support transparency, these documents are published below whenever relevant.

Feedback, complaints and grievances related to Environmental and Social Sustainability practices at AKF can be reported through our Safecall platform, via our Report a Concern page here.