Financing projects that contribute to sustainable development and improve the quality of life
Principles of sustainable finance
Excluding financing for activities prohibited by law or international conventions.
Assessing impacts and risks and determining measures to prevent and minimize them
Taking into account stakeholders' opinions and ensuring transparency
Applying best international practices
Environmental and Social Assessment of Projects
The Bank assesses environmental and social risks at all stages of the project cycle, strives to prevent and minimize possible negative impacts, enhance positive effects and promote best practices in sustainable development.
How does it work?
- 01 Preliminary assessment Checking a specific activity against the EDB's Environmental and Social Exclusion List. Projects related to prohibited activities are not considered for financing.
- 02 Categorisation Categorisation Assigning a category to a project depending on the scale and nature of potential negative environmental or social impact. ASignificant impact BLimited impact CMinimal impact FIFinancial institutions
- 03 Assessment of risks and compliance with safeguards Assessing environmental and social risks, the adequacy of measures to manage them, and the project's compliance with the Bank's Environmental and Social Safeguards.
- 04 Evaluating the climate and green profiles Collecting data on the project's positive environmental and social impacts. Assessing compliance with the Paris Agreement and the criteria for green and climate projects.
- 05 Conclusion Preparing a report with the assessment results and a list of corrective measures (if necessary).
- 06 Monitoring Carrying out annual monitoring of the effects and activities implementation upon the project launch.
Environmental and Social Safeguards
1
Management of Environmental and social risks
Development and application of an effective risk management system and interaction with stakeholders
2
Responsible Human Resource Management and Safe Working Conditions
Labour protection, respect for labour rights, prevention of forced and child labour
3
Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention
Development and implementation of effective measures to prevent pollution and GHG emissions, as well as to ensure the rational use of resources
4
Protection of Community Health and Safety
Prevention and minimization of public health risks, and emergency preparedness
5
Protection of Land Ownership Rights
Prevention of involuntary resettlement and economic displacement
6
Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
Mitigation and minimization of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, prevention of alien species introduction
7
Protection of Indigenous Peoples' Rights
Consideration for the views of indigenous peoples and prevention of negative impacts on their rights and culture
8
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Identification and protection of cultural heritage sites from negative impacts
Projects must also comply with national laws and applicable international conventions.
Feedback form
The Bank strives to ensure transparency and consider stakeholder views on the environmental and social aspects of financed projects.
Stakeholders may submit:
- comments on the environmental and social aspects of projects;
- information on potential environmental and social risks;
- inquiries related to the potential impact of projects on environment or population;
- reports on potential non-compliance with the Bank's environmental and social requirements.
The Bank reviews incoming requests in accordance with established procedure and may request additional information if necessary.
Green finance
The EDB sees opportunities for green transformation in all key investment areas, including energy, transport, communications, and agriculture, and is systematically expanding its portfolio of green projects in line with the priorities of its member states.
The Bank labels projects as green if they comply with national (if any) or international taxonomy (for example, Climate Bonds Taxonomy). The Bank also uses the Common Principles for Climate Mitigation Finance Tracking to track climate finance projects in its portfolio.
The EDB aims to increase the share of green investments and expand the volume of green financing.
The current investment portfolio of green projects as of the end of 2025 amounts to more than
$ 1085 mln
The cumulative portfolio of green projects as of the end of 2025 reached
$ 2001 mln
Timely unlocking of climate finance potential in the region is one of the Bank's key objectives.
- Energy efficiency
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Hydropower
- Eco-friendly transport
- Water use
96%
Climate finance projects
13%
10%
4%
5%
25%
43%
16
green projects
in the current investment portfolio
As of 31.12.2025
Green projects in the cumulative investment portfolio, US $ million, 2018-2025
- Solar energy
- Energy efficiency
- Eco-friendly transport
- Wind energy
- Hydropower
- Water use
Cumulative portfolio of green projects (x2 compared to 2018)
~US $2 bln
Projects
Technical Support for the Construction of the Kyzylasker Solar Power Plant
62ths
project amount
62ths
Bank's contribution
Development of Fortified Wheat Flour Production and Consumption
543ths
project amount
327ths
Bank's contribution
Development of a Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Irrigation in Kazakhstan
2,3mn
project amount
2,3mn
Bank's contribution
Modernisation of the Infrastructure of OJSC Armenia Stock Exchange
300ths
project amount
249,5ths
Bank's contribution
Organising a Business Project Competition in the Circular Economy
33,6ths
project amount
33,6ths
Bank's contribution
Modernisation of the Infrastructure of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE)
498,6ths
project amount
386,6ths
Bank's contribution
Development of Sustainable Waste Management and Secondary Material Resources in the Kyrgyz Republic (Part 1: PPP Project Feasibility Study)
200ths
project amount
200ths
Bank's contribution
Development of Sustainable Waste Management and Secondary Material Resources in the Kyrgyz Republic (Part 2: Secondary Material Resources Market Development Programme)
120ths
project amount
100ths
Bank's contribution