ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Increasing Resilience to Climate Change and Natural Hazards Project - Solomon Islands PHRD Grant No.

Transcription

1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Increasing Resilience to Climate Change and Natural Hazards Project - Solomon Islands PHRD Grant No. TF (Oba Takashi, 2012) (UNOCHA, UNDAC Mission Report, 2007) 1

2 Table of Contents 1. Description of the Proposed Project Introduction Project Rationale Components Executing Agencies and Institutional Arrangements Purpose of the Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Scope of the ESMP OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment Environmental Policy Framework Screening and Review Process Application of Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) Monitoring and Supervision OP/BP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples Land Donation Guidelines Consultation and Disclosure Consultation Plan... 9 ANNEX 1: Environmental code of practice (ECOP)

3 1. Description of the Proposed Project 1.1 Introduction The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been designed to achieve sound environmental practice and ecologically sustainable outcomes. It provides the mechanism to allow program implementation by screening out pilot investment projects that are unacceptable on the basis of environmental or social criteria. It is recommended the proposals that are approved for development must pose no threat or risk to: community and household social relations or household livelihoods; subsistence resources; conservation values or cultural values; and the environment on which these resources and values depend 1.2 Project Rationale Solomon Islands ranks among 20 countries with the highest economic risk exposure to two or more hazards. With over 992 islands stretching over 1,500 kilometers, this group of mountainous islands with some low lying coral atolls has just over half a million people. Solomon Islands is situated East of Papua New Guinea and North of Vanuatu. The Islands are exposed to a wide range of geological, hydrological and climatic hazards, including tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods and droughts. Over the past 30 years there have been six major natural disasters: two earthquakes one with an associated tsunami and four tropical cyclones, directly impacting over 100,000 people with over 100 deaths. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is not yet fully integrated into the Solomon Islands planning and budgeting process, nor mainstreamed into major sector investments (e.g. water, economic development and agricultural sectors). The project will build on two programs, the Rural Development Program (RDP) and the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative (PCRAFI) to support the integration of DRR/Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) across sectors. The project will use the institutional framework and participatory methodology established by the RDP, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) risk assessment instruments, to identify and implement community-led subprojects to enhance their resilience to natural and climate change related disasters. The RDP is part of the Solomon Islands Government s initiative to improve rural livelihoods by increasing access to community infrastructure and agricultural services, and support for small and medium rural businesses development. The project will also integrate the outcomes from the PCRAFI, in particular the hazard models, risk exposure database and risk maps into the country Geographic Information System and will make derived knowledge products available to a broad range of decision makers whilst building the capacity of national institutions to maintain and disseminate the risk data and information. 3

4 The project will be implemented in up to two of the nine Provinces of Solomon Islands. The development objectives of the proposed project are three fold: (i) to integrate DRR/CCA across sectors; (ii) to improve climate and disaster risk information and communication; and (iii) to increase the resilience of rural communities in Solomon Islands to climate change and natural hazards. Key indicators are: DRR/CCA included in the national development plan of Solomon Islands and DRR/CCA incorporated into planning and operations in at least two provinces. A geographic information system supporting decision-making in DRR/CCA is institutionalized. Community resilience to climate change and natural hazards demonstrated through communityled investments. 1.3 Components Component A: Coordination between Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Institutions Support the Recipient to organize a series of consultative workshops and related activities with the Recipient's institutions involved in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (NDMO, Climate Change Office, Line Ministries including policymakers, planners, civil society representatives and non-governmental organizations at the national and provincial levels) in order to facilitate the integration of climate and disaster risk reduction in national and provincial policies, planning and operations. Component B: Information and Communication Support the Recipient to: (i) create a framework for the establishment of - or connection of existing geographic information systems, including data sharing arrangements; (ii) compile, collect and collate relevant geospatial and time-series data for flood risk assessment into a consolidated risk information system, including an inventory of infrastructure assets exposed to floods, and identify structural and nonstructural interventions required to improve flood management (iii) undertake analytical work linking climate change and natural hazard risk assessment with economic/social impact assessment to support project implementation activities; and (iv) carry out procurement and installation of emergency and data communication systems to support disaster preparedness and response. Component C: Pilot Investments Support the Recipient to carry out Pilots in the Recipient's provinces, including: (i) Community-led climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction investments that are informed by the flood risk assessment conducted under Component B of the Project and the participatory planning process of the RDP; these investments may support improved rural water supply systems, disaster resilient building design and land use planning, promotion of flood tolerant crop varieties and land-use practices, small 4

5 scale irrigation for improved food security; and (ii) flood protection investments to protect against river and coastal flooding of benefit to multiple communities such as sandbags. Component D: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Support the Recipient to carry out through the Project Management Unit: (i) effective and efficient Project coordination, procurement, accounting, environmental and social safeguards, and (ii) monitoring and evaluation of the Project on a regular basis, including a review of monitoring and evaluation reporting and conclusions at mid-term and at the end of the Project based on Project outputs, structured interviews with key officials, selected donor partners, contracted firms and individuals, and observation of field teams in operation under the Project. During the first year of implementation, the PHRD grant through the pilot activities will, among other things, support the preparation of a Bank-financed project on Community Resilience to Climate and Disaster Risk in Solomon Islands (CRISP), which is currently under preparation and will aim to scale up and replicate the investments piloted under the PHRD grant. Since the first year of the PHRD grant implementation coincides with the preparation phase of CRISP, experience gained during the implementation of the ESMP will guide the preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for CRISP. 1.4 Executing Agencies and Institutional Arrangements The main counterpart for the project is the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology through its National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Climate Change Division (CCD). Activities in the Provinces will involve local government, communities and the RDP provincial based teams. MECDM will partner with the RDP team based in the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC). The respective RDP Provincial based teams will support implementation of the pilot investments. Project oversight, engineering and safeguards support will be provided by the RDP Honiara based team partnering with MECDM. Pilot investment implementation process will adhere to the RDP procedures and processes. The capacity building activities in the first phase will include building the knowledge base and skills of MECDM as the implementing agency, to incorporate safeguards measures in the various project activities. 1.5 Purpose of the Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) The ESMP will provide guidelines to address potential environmental impacts of the small civil works which includes an Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) to cover the different project types. Its objective is to ensure that small investments approved for development must pose no threat or risk to: community and household social relations or household livelihoods; subsistence resources; conservation values or cultural values; and 5

6 the environment on which these resources and values depend 1.6 Scope of the ESMP This ESMP provides guidance on three World Bank Safeguards policies namely, Environmental Assessment; Indigenous Peoples; Land Donation Guidelines. 2. OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment 2.1 Environmental Policy Framework The Environment Act 1998 (the Act) and Environment Regulations 2008 (the Regulations) of the Solomon Islands make provision for the conservation and protection of the environment. The Second Schedule of the Act lists prescribed developments for which consent from the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD), accompanied by an environmental assessment reported as either a public environmental report (PER) or an environmental impact statement (EIS), is required. Reorganization of the national government structure in December 2007 led to the creation of a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorology (MECM). In 2010 the NDMO was integrated into this Ministry and its name changed to Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM). Within MECDM the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) is responsible for reviewing environmental assessments and issuing development consents (see The Environment Act 1989, Part III, sections 15-18). All prescribed developments require a screening or scoping, to see what form/level of environmental assessment is required. Most prescribed developments require a PER, while major projects such as logging, mining, or large scale tourism or infrastructure developments, will need a more detailed appraisal which includes technical, economic, environmental and social investigations and consultations with stakeholders, presented in an EIS. The Act provides for an integrated system of development control, environmental assessment and pollution control including: prevention, control and monitoring of pollution including regulating discharge of pollutants to air, water or land and reducing risks to human health and prevention of degradation of the environment; regulating the transport, collection, treatment, storage and disposal of waste and promoting recycling, re-use and recovery of materials in an economically viable manner; and compliance with and giving effect to, regional and international conventions and obligations relating to the environment. The Regulations extend the requirements of the PER/EIS to include; (a) social impact on the surrounding communities; (b) ensuring public participation; (c) spelling out employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders; (d) a demographic impact assessment; (e) health impact assessment; (f) gender impact 6

7 assessment; (g) noise impact assessment; (h) state whether any of the above would have short- or longterm harmful effects on the environment. The Director ECD may have other requirements that will need to be fulfilled, notifying applicant of any additional requirements within 31 days after notifying the applicant. In the Second Schedule, the Act lists prescribed developments for which consent accompanied by an EIA are required. All prescribed projects require a simple assessment through a screening or scoping, to see what form of additional assessment is required. 2.2 Screening and Review Process It is recommended that all pilot investment activities to be financed under this project not exceed the recommended thresholds identified below. Should pilot investments exceed these thresholds then a separate ESMP would be completed for each investment activity. Proposals for any pilot investment activity should be done in consultation with the community members and other relevant stakeholders to ensure their views are sought and incorporated into the design of the pilot activity. Final pilot investment proposals will be shared with the local authorities for their review and endorsement. Recommended assessment thresholds for civil works: CIVIL WORKS Village rural roads, tracks and footpaths (wider than 3.5 m) Small bridges and piers Village water supply New construction of irrigation schemes Community Buildings (halls, health centres, schools, markets, shelters) Sanitation Facilities (latrines) Mini-hydro generators Changes are likely to occur in water use and/or water availability Protected area or area proposed for protection by the Government SCALE > 10 km > 20 m > 2,000 users All > 400 m2 > 200 users All All All 2.3 Application of Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) The project team will conduct a simple assessment of the key environmental issues and its corresponding mitigation measures as described in the Environmental Code of Practices (ECoP) (Annex 1) that has been developed for small community infrastructure roads, irrigation, water supply, and buildings with very low risk. All the records will be kept in the sub-project file for possible review by the Project Management Unit (PMU) as well as the World Bank. 2.4 Monitoring and Supervision The main objectives of environmental monitoring and supervision will be to: obtain information on environmental quality to assess the treatment effectiveness of the works provided by the project; 7

8 appraise the adequacy of the ECoP with respect to the project's predicted socio-environmental impacts; and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures in the ECoP, and recommend improvements in the ECoP. 3. OP/BP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples Project proposals will be restricted to proposals that do not require the use of customary land for new purposes under project funding (World Bank Safeguard Policy OP/BP 4.10, Indigenous Peoples). For example, based on community meetings, it appears that there is a desire among community members for upgrading of existing community structures, such as community aid posts, water supply systems or improved drainage, rather than for establishing new infrastructure. However, if there is good justification supporting approval of a project which requires the use of customary land (e.g., new shoreline protection works or relocating a vulnerable building), it will be a requirement that the land is voluntarily set aside for community purposes, (in accordance with World Bank Safeguard Policy OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement). No projects that require the resettlement of Indigenous Peoples or migrant populations living in villages or urban and rural informal settlements will be approved under the PHRD grant. OP/BP 4.10 has been determined to apply. However, since virtually all of the beneficiaries of the project are rural Solomon Islanders who are living on their ancestral lands and are indigenous (as defined by the policy), the project documentation itself, including the Operations Manual, the Grant Agreement and the project proposal constitute the IPP. Relevant aspects include: (a) Free, prior and informed consultations during preparation: extensive community consultations have been carried out in the Provinces in which the PHRD will operate. Consultations were carried out in all villages in the selected Provinces as part of the RDP awareness, consultation and identification phases. These were conducted by national staff and in the local languages. During this process separate discussions were held with vulnerable groups (such as women and youth). Using the RDP outreach networks, combined with community-based disaster risk management and vulnerability and adaptation procedures, additional consultations will be conducted with communities for which pilot investments have been selected under the PHRD to revalidate and reaffirm the initial discussion and the integration with CCA/DRR. The team will make use of the RDP and MECDM networks and processes as appropriate. Wherever possible, pilot investment activities will be informed by the climate and hazard risk assessment data from component B of the project. This information will be disseminated in a format and language relevant to the communities and other stakeholders. (b) Free, prior and informed consultations during implementation: All activities under community led investments that are demand-driven and have to follow a rigorous process of identification, selection and prioritization at village, ward and provincial level which has been carried out by the RDP. Consultations are systematically carried out as part of the project design, and decision-making structures at ward level include representatives of traditional authorities, women, youth and churches. The RDP has developed a comprehensive set of communication activities, with the use of various media to increase outreach (local 8

9 radio talk-talks, village-based facilitators, NGOs, pamphlets explaining safeguards policies and project mechanisms etc) at all stages. This also includes complaint mechanisms and independent monitoring of project activities and processes. Because the PHRD grant will not include any expansion of the geographic scope additional disclosure as per OP 4.10 is not required. 4. Land Donation Guidelines The policy on Involuntary Resettlement is not triggered as the development of small-scale infrastructure (e.g. small bridges, culverts, jetties) under the project will not require involuntary taking of land and assets. The project will not result in any relocation of people and no housing will be dismantled. In most cases, it is anticipated that any land acquisition will be minor and is likely to be communal land and since the land will be used for the good of the community it is likely it will be voluntarily donated. Any land requirements will be made through well documented voluntary land donations to avoid future claims by other stakeholders. The project will keep detailed records of all voluntary land donations and include no involuntary land acquisition and activities involving involuntary resettlement on a negative list. 5. Consultation and Disclosure A number of key stakeholders will be consulted during the preparation of the pilot investment activities. The purpose of these consultations is two-fold: (i) to get an understanding of the types of programs and projects being undertaken in various sectors and in which communities and the extent of the participation by youth and women s groups, and to discuss linkages or synergies between ongoing programs/projects; and (ii) to understand networks systems and processes communities use for consultation, discussion and decision making to ensure the project is carried out based on existing consultative arrangements. 5.1 Consultation Plan In preparation of each pilot investment activity, the implementing team will facilitate consultations with community groups as well as leaders of the community making use of the RDP and MECDM structures and networks and in accordance with RDP/MECDM community consultation processes. The purpose of these consultations is to (i) explain the criteria for selecting and identifying potential investment activities under component C; (ii) initially agree/confirm community participation (based on the satisfaction of the pre-conditions); and (iii) obtain views of the local people, including of the vulnerable groups, concerning the environmental and social issues related to the project which they feel are important, and to discuss possible land acquisition. In preparation of the community led pilot investment activities extensive consultation activities have been carried out under the RDP. Community consultation is an integral part of the selection and appraisal of activities during implementation. Communities will be revisited and consulted with again to explain the 9

10 CCA/DRR objective and reconfirm the previous views of the community. Following the procedures set up for RDP, project beneficiaries will participate through public consultation meetings and discussions of local development priorities, representation in ward development committees and provincial development councils, representation in the subproject implementation committees, and community monitoring of project implementation. The ECoP, as well as compensation policies and grievance procedures will be discussed during the consultation meetings. The comments and feedback, including any preferences for siting of access ways/footpaths or steps, types of compensation etc will be documented in the minutes of the meetings. These minutes should also indicate participation of vulnerable groups, as well as specific issues raised by these people. The minutes will be recorded on a Meeting Minutes datasheets and will be made available for monitoring purposes. 10

11 ANNEX 1: Environmental code of practice (ECoP) Table 1.1 ECoP for Community/Village Roads, eg., bridge, culvert, track improvement, etc. Key issues to consider Mitigation measures Status Location - Conservation area No animal killing No land occupation No camping - Flooding area Provide adequate drainage system Include appropriate measure to accommodate flood - Mountainous area Design slope should be less than 17% Side drain Slope protection Guard rail (simple type) - Community area Speed limit sign Dust control Accident prevention - Land property Minute of meeting on conflict resolution and attached the land certificate Cultural area, history, etc. Chance finds shall be reported to the proper authorities for documentation, preservation, relocation -Fish spawning areas and migration routes Avoid negative impacts such as disposal of spoil and tree uprooting which could silt up water courses Ensure optimal design Construction phase - Borrow pit Select the suitable site Back fill instructed by Engineer - Erosion risk Design/provide adequate slope protection Provide maintenance procedure - Solid waste Provide appropriate waste collection and disposal - Waste Oil Do not allow to drain into soil and river - Camp Secure agreement with local community Provide water supply, mosquito net, and adequate sanitation (toilet, washing space, etc.), and good housekeeping to prevent rodents, insect, etc. - Storage of construction materials Operation phase Public health, road safety, and other social negative impacts in the village Storage in proper area, toxic wastes and materials will be stored in a safe place 11

12 - Speed control Install measures to control speed limit (sign, bumper, etc), education campaign - Dust control Control speed limit, periodic watering, plant appropriate trees, surfacing - Accident Awareness Training in cooperation with the Police Office Table 1.2. ECoP for Community/Village Water Supply (<1,000 users), including Dug well, Drilled well, Gravity Flow System Subproject Issues Mitigation Measures Status Location -Land property Minute of meeting on conflict resolution and attached the land certificate -Protected area Approved by concern sector -Flooding area Detail study and proper design -Water source Set up regulation and principle protection -Community zone Establish the water user regulation -Close to borrow Water testing pit/quarry, waste disposal sites Construction -Solid waste generation Provide appropriate waste collection and disposal -Waste Oil Do not allow to drain into soil and river -Camp Secure agreement with local community Provide water supply, mosquito net, and adequate sanitation (toilet, washing space, etc), and good housekeeping to prevent rodents, insect, etc. -Storage of construction material Operation -possible contamination of water Storage in proper area; toxic wastes and materials will be stored in safe place Storage in proper area Establish measure to protect quantity and quality of water sources. Fencing water tape 12

13 Table 1.3. ECoP for Village Irrigation System (<150 ha), including weir, irrigation channels, repaired weir, small reservoir Issues to consider Actions Status Location Down stream - Impact water user Community consultation (resolution) - Fertilizer Data from community Introduction to community - Erosion Proper design - Block fish passage Consultation with community Upstream -Safety at reservoir area Install the protected sign -Fish protection Establish fish protection area -Water recourse protection Set up management regulation Construction phase -Borrow pit -Erosion location -Solid waste -Wasted lubrication -Camp -Storage of construction material Operation -Potential increase use of pesticide Select suitable site Avoid opening new borrow pit Backfill instructed by Engineer Design the suitable slope protection Provide Maintenance procedure Allocate suitable area for waste Separate recyclable waste Do not allow to drain into soil and river Let community allocate Provide sanitation, waste water and allocate the soiled waste site Storage in proper area Provide training on safe use of pesticides Promote the use of no-chemical agriculture Location -Land slide Construction -Waste materials -Land property -Water system Operation -Safety -Waste management Do not develop in landslide areas, develop only in < 17% slope Institute erosion control Provide maintenance procedure Allocate suitable area for waste Land use certificate Chance finds shall be reported to the proper authorities for documentation, preservation, relocation Detail study and proper design Training, installation of danger sign Set up committee 13

14 -Water system, drainage system Allocate suitable area for waste Separate recyclable waste Set up rules and regulations Detail study and proper design to protect rivers and underground water Table 1.4. ECoP for Micro Hydro generators Construction phase Mitigation measure Status -Borrow pit Select suitable site Avoid new open the borrow pit Back fill instructed by Engineer -Erosion Design the suitable slope protection Provide Maintenance procedure -Solid waste management Allocate suitable area for waste -Wasted lubrication Do not allow to drain into soil and river -Camp Let community allocate Provide sanitation, waste water and allocate the soiled waste site -Storage the construction Storage in proper area material Location -Reservation or protection area No animal hunting No land occupation No forest cutting No rubbish management -Flooding area Camping Drainage system Raising the road alignment -Mountainous/rolling area Slope less than 17% Side drain Curve sign Guiderail -Community area -Land property Operation -Safety Speed limited area Dust control Accident control Minute of meeting on conflict resolution and attached the land certificate Cultural area, history etc Training, installation of danger sign 14