Robust social and environmental standards and related accountability mechanisms are increasingly applied as best practice in a broad range of international programming and investments for sustainable development. In practical terms such standards aim to ensure that development and humanitarian actors are held to the principles they proclaim, and that interventions do not result in inadvertent harm to people and the environment.

The Model Approach, developed by the inter-agency Consultative Process on Advancing the Environmental and Social Sustainability in the UN System under the UN Environment Management Group, is intended to serve as a reference and benchmark for UN entities to use on a voluntary basis when they adopt or revise their own environmental and social standards and safeguards. The aim of the Model Approach is to provide a first step in moving towards a common approach, strengthening policy alignment and shared learning. It builds on lessons learned and the wide range of normative and operational expertise within the UN system.

To learn more, download the Model or visit this page : https://unemg.org/modelapproach/