It has been over a decade since the Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook: Toward Cleaner Production (PPAH) was published in 1998 by the World Bank Group.
Subsequently, in 2008, Part III of the PPAH, the project guidelines, was updated and broadened by IFC, working in close cooperation with the World Bank, and is now referred to as the World Bank Group Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSG), which apply to all World Bank Group projects. Given that the work on EHSG is now substantially completed, the World Bank is in the process of clarifying in its Operational Policy 4.01 (Environmental Assessment) that the reference to the PPAH in paragraph 6 should now read EHSG.
This Pollution Management (PoMa) Sourcebook, a collaborative effort of the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA, builds upon and broadens the scope of policy advice in parts I and II of the PPAH, reflects changes in the external environment and the lessons learned from over 10 years of experience since the PPAH was published.
The PoMa Sourcebook is comprised of two parts. Part I, the User’s Guide, explains how these tools can be used to manage pollution and what the advantages and limitations are for different stakeholders in following such an approach. Part II, Policy Tools, presents policy guidance notes on 23 tools for improved pollution management.
Objectives: The Sourcebook aims to provide users with current knowledge and information on pollution management policy tools. It is structured around the range of user groups and available policy tools and highlights the advantages of a multi-stakeholder approach to pollution management.
Audience: Policymakers in developing countries, top-tier domestic banks and domestic firms in emerging markets, and staff of development institutions and bilateral agencies engaged on this agenda. It also targets consultants engaged in pollution control efforts with policy makers.
Process: The Sourcebook was developed in a participatory manner and relied heavily on inputs of staff across the World Bank Group. In order to facilitate collaboration in developing the Sourcebook, an internal Pollution Management Thematic Group (PoMa) was established in 2008. The thematic group has grown to approximately 250 members in the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA. The PoMa thematic groups organized over 15 meetings between 2009-2011 in order to obtain contributions from PoMa thematic group members on guidance notes for the variety of policy tools and the user’s guide.
Public Comment Period: The Sourcebook underwent an eight-week comment period. The received comments and suggestions were reviewed and the Sourcebook was revised in response to the feedback received.
