On 22 November 2024, the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), replacing the 2009 Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS). The ESF has been effective since 1 January 2026 and applies to projects with concept notes approved from 2026.
Ten Environmental and Social Standards
- ESS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
- ESS2: Labor and Working Conditions
- ESS3: Resource Conservation and Pollution Prevention
- ESS4: Health, Safety, and Security
- ESS5: Land Acquisition and Land Use Restriction
- ESS6: Biodiversity and Sustainable Natural Resources Management
- ESS7: Indigenous Peoples (in Viet Nam, generally applied to ethnic minority communities)
- ESS8: Cultural Heritage
- ESS9: Climate Change
- ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
On 16 December 2025, ADB published Guidance Notes for all ten standards.
Main changes
According to ADB, the ESF introduces new standards on labor, community health and safety, climate change and stakeholder engagement; strengthens protection for children, workers and communities, including against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment; adopts a single approach to risk classification and adaptive management; and aligns more closely with other multilateral development banks, which eases cofinancing.
What it means for projects in Viet Nam
For newly prepared ADB projects, project owners and PMUs should plan early for requirements that the 2009 SPS did not set out as stand-alone standards, such as labor management, community health and safety, climate risk and stakeholder engagement plans. Projects with concept notes approved before 2026 continue under the framework already applied; PMUs should confirm the applicable framework with ADB for each project when preparing consultant terms of reference.