The World Bank has made substantial improvement in its environmental performance since 1987. It has focused on the environment as a new area of activity, and has sought to mitigate the negative environmental effects of its development interventions. Bank efforts have produced commendable results and have promoted awareness in developing country governments of the connection between the environment and development. This is the first Operations Evaluation Department evaluation of the World Bank's overall environmental strategy since the Environment Department was created in 1987. It provides an independent assessment of World Bank performance and draws lessons from experience. It is timed to inform the new environmental strategy being formulated by the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Vice-Presidency (ESSD).