An instrument that examines environmental issues and impacts associated with a particular strategy, policy, plan, or program or with a series of projects for a specific sector (e.g., power, transport, or agriculture) in a region or across a host country; evaluates and compares the impacts against those of alternative options; assesses legal and institutional aspects relevant to the issues and impacts; and recommends broad measures to strengthen environmental and social management in the sector. Sectoral assessments pay particular attention to potential cumulative impacts of multiple activities. A sectoral ESIA may need to be supplemented with project- and site-specific information.
Adapted from World Bank, "World Bank Environmental and Social Framework," Washington, DC, 2016, View the PDF; Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), "Environmental and Social Framework," 2021, View the PDF.