4 February 2004 An unofficial World Bank document

Environmental Assessmentand the rest of the world

Jean-Roger Mercier - QACU

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Impacts can be avoided….

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What used to be a good, productivemangrove is losing all of its assets.

… all because of lack of attentionto the local needs, lack of properstudies and of proper consultation.

Picture was taken herePicture was taken here

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Operationalizing concern for the vulnerable and the environment

Environmental Assessment is mandated in all investment and sectoral adjustment lending since 1989

EA is one of the ten safeguard policies. Its application receives close attention from within and outside the Bank

EA pioneered public participation and has generally brought more transparency to project preparation (disclosure)

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The Bank 10+1 Safeguard Policies

4.014.044.094.114.12 4.204.364.377.507.60Plus….

Environmental Assessment (EA)Natural Habitats Pest Management Physical Cultural Resources (Draft)Involuntary ResettlementIndigenous Peoples (OD being conv.)ForestsSafety of DamsProjects on International WaterwaysProjects in Disputed AreasBP17.50 Public Disclosure

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EA – Consultation - Compliance

Category A: borrower consults [project-affected groups and local NGOs] at least twice:  

(a) shortly after environmental screening and before the terms of reference for the EA are finalized; and (b) once a draft EA report is prepared.

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EA – Consultation – Compliance For A and B Category projects:

…borrower consults project-affected groups and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) about the project's environmental aspects and takes their views into account... …borrower consults with such groups throughout project implementation as necessary to address EA-related issues that affect them.

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EA – Disclosure - ComplianceBP 17.50 (effect January 1, 2002)

Whenever the Bank requires an EA, ... borrower prepares an EA report as a separate, free-standing document.

The EA report is publicly available (a) after the borrower has made the draft EA report available at a public place accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs in accordance with OP/BP 4.01, & (b) after such EA report has been officially received by the Bank, but before the Bank begins formal appraisal of the project.

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And now, to the specialists

But first, ask yourself the following question:

If a Bank-funded project was bordering my backyard, would I like to be consulted? If yes, would I prefer a formal consultation or one where I know that my voice will be heard and my view point taken into consideration?