Briefing, 2026
Published by: Urgewald e.V.
Closing the Gaps: Why IFC Must Strengthen Environmental and Social Safeguards for Trade Finance
Trade finance is a growing part of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) operations, yet billions of dollars remain subject to inadequate environmental and social oversight. In FY2025 alone, IFC’s trade and supply chain finance operations exceeded $18 billion. A new urgewald briefing reveals how loopholes in the IFC Sustainability Framework could enable financing for fossil fuel expansion and other environmentally and socially harmful activities.
As the IFC reviews its Sustainability Framework, urgewald calls for stronger safeguards, greater transparency, stricter fossil fuel exclusions and improved accountability for affected communities. The briefing outlines concrete recommendations to ensure that IFC trade finance aligns with international climate goals and human rights standards.