UN-Habitat Environmental and Social Safeguards System

UN-Habitat has developed an improved Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) System, in order to assure sound environmental and social performance throughout the life-cycle of UN-Habitat projects.

The ESSS defines the environmental and social objectives and principles that apply to all projects and to the staff that work on those projects. The safeguard standards guide management of the environmental and social risks and impacts so that the full sustainable development benefits from the project are realized.

The management procedures provide guidance in four areas: project screening and categorization; impact assessment and management measures; monitoring, evaluation and reporting; and, staff responsibilities. The external communication procedures are also described for the benefit of our stakeholders and staff members.