World Bank Corporate Responsibility Program
Working for a World Free of Poverty
Who We Are
What We Do
World Bank Corporate Responsibility Program
WHO WE ARE
The World Bank promotes corporate sustainability by integrating its core values -
Impact, Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation
- into all aspects of its internal operations. Through the Corporate Responsibility Program (CRP), the Bank manages and reduces its environmental footprint, aiming to improve the ecosystems and communities where it has facilities and staff. The CRP establishes ambitious, measurable targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resource efficiency across global offices, and engaging staff and partners in building sustainable solutions. This commitment to sustainability strengthens the Bank’s vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.
TARGETED EMISSIONS REDUCTION
Since 2006, the World Bank has calculated, managed, offset, and reported on its greenhouse gas emissions from leased and owned facilities, air travel, mobile sources, and purchased food. As part of its Climate Change Action Plan 2021–2026, the Bank has committed to reduce facility-based greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2026. The Bank has also signed the
Cool Food Pledge
, committing to cut food-related emissions from purchased food at the headquarters by 25% by 2030. The World Bank regularly conducts an independent third-party audit of its GHG inventory and updates the GHG Inventory Management Plan annually.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Since 2009, the World Bank has been a carbon neutral institution, purchasing high-quality carbon credits to offset its corporate emissions globally. In addition, the World Bank invests in energy efficiency, responsible sourcing, and sustainable office practices in more than 130 global locations.
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The World Bank tracks and reports progress using internationally recognized standards, including those from the Global Reporting Initiative and International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation. This commitment ensures stakeholders have access to clear, credible, and comparable information on sustainability performance.
STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT
The World Bank actively encourages its staff to turn everyday choices into meaningful impact - whether through sustainable commuting, responsible consumption, or other office initiatives. This culture of engagement brings the Bank’s values to life.
PRINCIPLES
The
10 Corporate Sustainability Principles
serve as a foundation for World Bank operations across all facilities and supply chains, influencing every aspect of daily decision-making - from minimizing waste and optimizing energy use to fostering staff wellbeing and strengthening community engagement.
WB Corporate Sustainability Principles
1. Be Climate Resilient
4. Ensure Resource Efficiency
7. Eliminate Corruption
2. Be Energy Smart
5. Reduce Waste
8. Enhance Diversity & Inclusion
3. Be Water Efficient
6. Promote Sustainable Land Management
9. Ensure Staff Wellbeing
10. Engage & Preserve the Community
HISTORY
In June 2001,
President Jim Wolfensohn
announced the World Bank’s commitment to a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, marking the beginning of a focused effort to advance sustainability within internal operations. The Corporate Responsibility Program has since evolved, guided by the
Corporate Responsibility Strategic Plan
published in December 2016, which strengthened sustainability across the institution through five key actions:
Reviewing
existing mandates and progress in corporate responsibility
Evaluating
current trends and the global sustainability landscape
Engaging
stakeholders to gather insights and perspectives
Identifying
priority areas for action
Establishing
a rolling three-year implementation plan
This approach continues to evolve, shaped by the
World Bank Group’s core values
and
Corporate Responsibility Strategic Plan
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Related Links
World Bank Group Annual Report
World Bank Sustainability Review (all reports in one place)
IFC Corporate Sustainability
World Bank Group's Corporate GHG Inventory & Management Plan:
Corporate GHG Inventory & Management Plan 2024
Corporate GHG Inventory Management Plan 2023
Corporate GHG Inventory Management Plan 2020
Corporate GHG Inventory Management Plan 2019
Criteria for Emission Reduction Offsets (World Bank Group Guidelines)
EY Limited Assurance Report of the World Bank Carbon Emissions FY2023
Corporate Sustainability Principles
World Bank Corporate Responsibility Strategic Plan
WBG External Assurance on 2020 GHG emissions for internal business operations - Management Letter
GRI Index
GRI Index 2025
GRI Index 2024
GRI Index 2023
GRI Index 2022
GRI Index 2021
GRI Index 2020
GRI Index 2019
GRI Index 2018
GRI Index 2017
GRI Index 2016
GRI Index 2015
GRI Index 2014
GRI Index 2013
GRI Index 2012
GRI Index 2011
GRI Index 2010
GRI Index 2009
GRI Index 2008
Sustainability Review
Sustainability Review 2023
Sustainability Review 2021
Sustainability Review 2019
Sustainability Review 2017
Sustainability Review 2015
2025 United Nation’s Greening the Blue Report
WBG Environment Strategy 2012-2022
Environment Strategy Background Paper
Focus on Sustainability
Focus on Sustainability 2005-2006
Focus on Sustainability 2004
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Sustainability Review Microsite
Corporate Responsibility Program
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