Does the policy apply to structural adjustment and programmatic lending?
No. Although this was promised during the consultation phases, the new policy does not apply to structural adjustment loans (SALs) and programmatic lending. Bank senior management instead say that this issue will be covered in a revised OP on structural adjustment which is currently being discussed. Its finalisation will probably take months (or, maybe, years). The current policy on Structural Adjustment merely requires that impacts on the environment are taken into account. During negotiations of the Forests Policy at the Board, the World Bank offered assurances to concerned member governments that Regional Vice Presidents would take steps to identify whether adjustment lending may damage forests. It is not clear what these steps are or what actions would ensue if potential impacts were identified. Does the policy apply to non-forestry projects that may affect forests? Apart from SAPs and programmatic lending, the new policy does apply to all IBRD and IDA projects that may affect fore
