THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): MOLDOVA WATER SECURITY AND SANITATION PROJECT REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development Water Security and Sanitation Project (P173076) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) December 21, 2021 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): MOLDOVA WATER SECURITY AND SANITATION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Moldova will implement the Water Security and Sanitation Project (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIRD. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (collectively, the “Bank�) have agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Republic of Moldova will implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Republic of Moldova will also comply with the provisions of any other E&S documents required under the ESF and referred to in this ESCP, such as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), and Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), at the timelines specified in those E&S documents. 4. The Republic of Moldova is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry referenced in 1 above. 5. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Bank by the Republic of Moldova as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Bank will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 6. As agreed by the Bank and the Republic of Moldova, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP. In such circumstances, the Republic of Moldova will agree to the changes with the Bank and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Bank and the Republic of Moldova. The Republic of Moldova will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 7. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Republic of Moldova shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 2|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Bi-annual, throughout Project implementation. MIRD Prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring reports on environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Notify the Bank within 48 hours after learning of the MIRD Promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident related to the incident or accident. Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public, or workers. Provide A report would be provided within a timeframe sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate acceptable to the Bank, as requested measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the Bank’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. C CONTRACTORS MONTHLY REPORTS Monthly throughout Project implementation. MIRD As per contracts’ specifications to be signed by PIU or other parties with selected Contractors, all Contractors will be required to provide reports on ESMPs’ implementation and on Occupational Health and Safety issues to their employers. Furthermore, such reports would be submitted to the Bank by MIRD upon request, for Component 1 activities with potentially substantial social and environmental risks. Quarterly, throughout Project implementation. The employers of civil works activities under both Components will be required to provide reports on ESMPs’ implementation and on LMP and Occupational Health and Safety issues to MIRD 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The PIU has been established and should be staffed MIRD MIRD shall maintain an organizational structure PIU in this case the with the environmental and social specialists prior to Moldova Social Investment Fund (MSIF) with qualified staff and Project effectiveness. The communication/citizen resources to support management of E&S risks, including Operational, engagement and gender specialist are to be hired Health & Safety (OHS) risks and impacts. The organizational structure within 90 days from effectiveness. shall include at least: one environmental specialist, one social specialist RDA’s environmental and social consultants hired and (part-time) communication/citizen engagement and gender before commencement of any works activities. specialists. Project implementation will be supported at the regional This organizational structure, including specified level through MIRD ’s subordinate Regional Development Agencies specialists, will be maintained throughout Project (RDAs), which will complement their capacity with environmental and implementation. social consultants funded by the Project. Develop and Implement the Project Operations Manual (POM). POM should be adopted by MIRD prior to Project effectiveness. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT The documents will be updated when necessary and MIRD Implement the Environmental and Social Management Framework implemented (ESMF), Resettlement Framework (RPF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan throughout the Project duration. (SEP) and Labor Management Procedure (LMP) that have been prepared for the Project, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. Include in the POM clear references to all ESF documents prepared for the Project. Update the documents if and when necessary. 1.3 MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS Screen each proposed The site-specific instruments will be prepared prior to MIRD subproject in accordance with the ESMF prepared for the Project, and, launching of the bidding process for construction of a thereafter prepare, disclose, publicly consult, and implement site- specific subproject. specific instruments (ESIAs/ESMPs/ESMP Checklists), as required, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. The site-specific instruments will be an integral part of bidding documents. The site-specific instruments will require the Bank’s prior review and approval before launching the bidding process for the respective subproject. Once approved, the site-specific instrument must be applied throughout sub-project implementation. 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.4 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS Prior to the preparation of procurement documents. MIRD Based on the ESMPs prepared, incorporate the relevant E&S Supervise contractors throughout Project requirements, along with the LMP, into the E&S, OHS specifications of implementation. the procurement/bidding documents. Ensure that these requirements are incorporated in Civil works and installation of equipment contracts and that the contractors comply with the E&S and OHS specifications of their respective contracts. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MIRD Update, adopt and implement the LMP that have been developed for Throughout Project implementation. the Project. Develop Contractor’s Code of Conduct for each works contract. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Grievance mechanism operational prior to engaging MIRD Establish, operate and maintain grievance mechanisms for relevant types Project workers and maintained throughout Project of Project workers (direct and contracted), as described in the LMP and implementation. consistent with ESS2. Ongoing throughout project implementation PIU shall monitor number of received complaints. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES Ongoing throughout project implementation MIRD Ensure that all Contractors adopt and implement occupational health and . safety (OHS) measures as detailed in ESMF/ESMPs. 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MIRD MANAGEMENT: Integrate and implement resource efficiency and pollution prevention Same timeframe as for the implementation of the and management measures, including those related to asbestos ESIA/ESMP/ESMP Checklists. removal or maintenance, and to the management of sludge generated from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), into the Work Procedure for asbestos removal or ESMF/ESMPs/ESMP Checklists. maintenance before the starting of construction works. Ensure that contractors will prepare a Work Procedure for asbestos removal or maintenance (asbestos-cement pipes or structures) as part of Contractor-ESMP and based on health and safety measures as detailed in the ESMF/ESMPs and compliant with the WB Good Practice Note on Asbestos. Ensure resource efficiency is considered when preparing Terms of Reference for technical assistance and strategic or planning documents. Each site specific ESIA/ESMP for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) will provide sludge management in line with ESS3 and local legislation inclusive of final disposal. Prepare and implement a sludge management plan, including handling and final disposal of the sludge generated from the operation of the WWTPs. 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY: MIRD Integrate and implement community health and safety measures in Same timeframe as for the implementation (a) the generic ESMP annexed to the ESMF prepared for this Project of the ESIA/ESMP/ESMP Checklists. Or (b) the site-specific ESIA/ESMP to be prepared for some sub-projects, as required and integrating the community health and safety measures, as specified in the ESMF. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 RESETTLEMENT PLANS: In case the sub-project involves land acquisition RAPs to be prepared immediately once the MIRD and resettlement, prepare, adopt, and implement sub-project designs are ready. resettlement plans (RAPs) in accordance with ESS 5 and consistent with the requirements of the Resettlement Policy RAPs submitted for the Bank’s approval Framework (RPF) that has been prepared for the Project, and and, once approved, implemented prior thereafter adopt and implement the respective RAPs before to commencing Project activities that carrying out the associated activities, in a manner acceptable involve land acquisition and resettlement. to the Bank ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 IMPACT ON CRITICAL AND NATURAL HABITATS: MIRD Screen each proposed subproject in accordance with ESMF prepared for Submit for the Bank’s approval prior the the Project, and, as relevant, prepare, adopt, and implement a stand- beginning of any construction activity that alone Biodiversity Management Plan, or specific measures to be may affect biodiversity. included in site-specific ESIA/ESMPs/ESMP Checklists in a manner Once approved, the measures and/or plan acceptable to the Bank. must be implemented for the specific subproject, and for any other subprojects For any subprojects to be implemented within, or likely to affect, a as relevant throughout Project protected area or an area for which a Critical Habitat Assessment is to implementation. be carried out, the WB prior approval must be requested. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Currently not relevant to the project ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Currently not relevant to the project. Throughout Project Implementation MIRD However, Chance Finds procedures and mitigation measures will be implemented as defined in the ESMF and site-specific ESIAs/ESMPs/ESMP Checklists, and will part of all contracts involving any excavation works under the Project. 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 1.0 – November 2019 ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Currently not relevant to the project ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 SEP IMPLEMENTATION: Implement the SEP prepared for the Project. Throughout Project Implementation MIRD The SEP may be updated (and redisclosed) as needed during Project implementation. 10.3 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: GRM in place before the MIRD Prepare, adopt and operate a grievance mechanism for the entire Project effectiveness. Project as described in SEP. Operate and maintain throughout Project implementation. 10.4 COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Conduct community capacity building to Throughout Project implementation MIRD heighten awareness of risks and to mitigate impacts as outlined in the SEP, training section of the POM, and the Project’s annual Training Plan. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 Training will be required for MIRD PIU staff and stakeholders on: MIRD • stakeholder mapping and engagement Initial training carried out three months • specific aspects of environmental and social assessment after WB Board approval followed by • ESF and main instruments ESMF, ESMPs/ESMPs Checklists periodical training maintained as needed • RPF and RAP administration and implementation throughout the project implementation. • LMP oversight • OHS measures • Traffic Management Plans • Sludge Management Plans • Any other topics as relevant 8|Page