Environmental and social safeguards are policies that seek to protect people and the environment from risks posed by FAO activities. Safeguards make sure that stakeholders actively participate in projects and programmes and have effective channels to voice their concerns.
FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) establishes environmental and social performance requirements for FAO programming. The FESM includes key elements of a human rights-based approach with the goal to ensure that people and the environment are protected from any potential adverse impacts of FAO programmes and projects. It is also intended to ensure that all stakeholders have ample opportunities to actively participate in the activities of programmes and projects, and have access to effective channels to voice their concerns about them.
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Standards
FAO projects and programmes are required to adhere to the applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).
The standards improve the effectiveness and accountability of FAO's work.
Stakeholder engagement
FAO aims to ensure meaningful, effective and informed participation of stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes, and is especially committed to engaging those groups that are most affected by the project/ programme.
Disclosure
Disclosure of relevant project information helps stakeholders to effectively participate in programmes and projects implemented by FAO. Documents are disclosed once final, and before the start of the implementation of the project.
Highlights
Publications
Framework for Environmental and Social Management
2022
The Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) establishes environmental and social performance requirements for FAO programming. The...
Guidelines for compliance reviews following grievances related to the Organization’s non-compliance with the Framework for Environmental and Social Management
2026
These guidelines describe the process by which the Office of the Inspector General independently reviews grievances alleging FAO’s non‑compliance with...
Have a concern or feedback? – FAO’s Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism is here for you
2026
All FAO projects, programmes and country offices must have functioning feedback and grievance mechanisms, with designated focal points, in line with...
Contact
Do you have a feedback or grievance about an FAO project? Use the project-specific Grievance Redress Mechanism, or the country-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (please check the FAO country profile for available channels).
If a grievance cannot be resolved through project management or technical level, or if the grievance is related to misconduct (such as fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation and abuse), you should contact the Office of the Inspector General (Investigations).