CSR
Corporate social responsibility (CSR): a development issue
Through its mandate as an investor in companies in the South, Proparco undertakes operations which have environmental and social (E&S) risks.
Several years ago, it strengthened its approach to E&S analysis and management in order to mitigate them. It includes the requirements of AFD Group, the principles common to European donors, IFC’s Performance Standards, the ILO international labor standards, the FAO criteria, and basic principles such as those of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition to risk management, Proparco assists its clients in improving their E&S practices. For example, it can finance technical assistance for capacity building for staff, the implementation of E&S management systems and corporate certification (ISO 14 001, fair trade, FSC, etc.).
For Proparco, CSR consequently involves encouraging its clients to reduce their levels of pollution, limit their consumption of natural resources (particularly for water and energy) and greenhouse gas emissions, and protect biodiversity.
Proparco also pays special attention to the protection of the rights of local communities, working conditions for employees, women, and access for local communities to services provided by its clients, particularly in the education and health sectors. In this respect, it can, for example, encourage them to develop scholarship systems in higher education, or introduce preferential healthcare rates for certain vulnerable or disadvantaged populations.
Proparco has a team of specialists on ESG issues (the “Environmental, Social, Governance and Impact” – ESGI – Division). Depending on the client’s needs and potential areas for improvement identified during the project appraisal, the Division can define an action plan with the client which sets out the actions that need to be implemented, the responsibilities and the time required. This plan represents a contractual commitment that is set out in the financing agreement, the implementation of which is regularly assessed by ESGI.
For Proparco’s client companies, CSR is a crucial stage for them to be recognized as a development actor, as it allows the potentially negative effects of their activity to be managed, promotes high ESG standards, attracts investments, increases their productivity (by controlling their consumption of natural resources, limiting accidents at work…), their competitiveness and, ultimately, their contribution to improving living conditions for communities and fighting against environmental degradation.
