THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) - DRAFT Republic of Liberia Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) (P174417) Draft ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) December 17, 2020 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) - DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Liberia through its Ministry of Finance (hereinafter referred to as Ministry of Finance and Development Planning) will implement the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) as implementing institutions (IAs). The International Development Association (Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Republic of Liberia through its implementing institutions, 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 Liberia 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 Policy Framework (RPF), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), Labor Management Procedure (LMP), the GBV Action Plan, and Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), and the timelines specified in those E&S documents. 4. The Republic of Liberia is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions are conducted by the Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment. 5. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Republic of Liberia as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 6. As agreed by the Association and the Republic of Liberia, 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 itself. In such circumstances, the Republic of Liberia will agree to the changes with the Association 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 Association and the Republic of Liberia. The Republic of Liberia 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 Liberia shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts, which may include minimal or negligible adverse risks and impacts on human population and/or the environment. 2|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Every six (6) months during the project MYS/LACE Prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring reports on the status implementation phase. of implementation of: (i) Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), (ii) Stakeholders Engagement Plan (SEP), (iii) Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and (iv) other E&S documents required under the ESCP. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS MYS/LACE The project will promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident Notify the Bank within 24 hours after related or having an impact on the Project, which has, or is likely to have, learning of the incident or accident. A a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected subsequent detailed report would be communities, the public or workers. This could include accidents that provided within a timeframe acceptable to could result in fatalities, injuries, cases of SEA/SH, serious the Bank, as requested. mismanagement related to the project’s activities including handling waste, security breach, etc., and provide sufficient details regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it. C CONTRACTORS MONTHLY REPORTS Ensure that contractors are required to provide monthly monitoring Contractor’s reports to be submitted to the MYS/LACE reports that cover the environmental, social, and health and safety PIU every month, and to the Bank upon performance of the project to the Project Management Team (PMT). request. Ensure that the contractor’s monthly reports are submitted to the Bank upon request. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE After project effectiveness and before the MYS/LACE Establish and maintain an organizational structure with qualified staffs start of implementation of field activities. and resources to support management of E&S risks and impacts. Recruit The environmental and social staff shall qualified Environmental Officer and Social Safeguard Officer with remain with the project throughout the experience in SEA/SH to assist implementation of ESMF, ESMP, RPF, SEP, project implementation period. ESCP, GRM, and SEA/SH Action Plan. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT Draft ESMF to be updated and disclosed MYS/LACE The IAs will update the Environmental and Social Management (ESMF) before Project Appraisal Date. for the Youth Opportunity Project (YOP) to incorporate activities of this project, detailing policy, procedure and guidance for assessment and ESMPs will be prepared before the start of management of environmental and social risks and impacts of the project implementation and implemented project. ESMF to address CERC component as well. through project implementation. Once the selection of specific sites for project activities are finalized, the project will prepare and implement site-specific plans (ESMPs) prior to the commencement of implementation of sub-project activities in the field. 1.3 MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS Prior to the commencement of work and MYS/LACE Screen any proposed sub-projects in accordance with ESMF prepared for throughout the project implementation. the Project, and thereafter, draft, adopt, and implement the sub-project Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), as required, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. Implement the “negative list� (which will be part of the POM) that will be used as a guiding tool for funding interventions which will not adversely impact the environment and the people. 1.4 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS Before the start of the project MYS/LACE Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including the relevant E&S implementation. documents and/or plans, and the Labor Management Procedures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents with contractors. Thereafter ensure that the contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MYS/LACE Implement the Project in a manner acceptable to the Bank, including Draft LMP will be incorporated in the project through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and ESMF to be disclosed before Project safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response appraisal Date and measures will be measures), ensuring appropriate working condition amidst a public implemented throughout Project health emergency (including measures against outbreak of COVID-19); implementation. provision of training/apprenticeship on handling emergency situation especially health related issues; and setting up grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements in the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms as appropriate. Prepare and implement the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) that will be incorporated in the project ESMF. The procedures will include terms and condition of employment including hours of works, wages overtime, compensation and benefits, holidays, leaves, etc. The procedures will set up measures to prevent and address harassment, intimidation or sexual exploitation, child labor, and forced labor. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS GRM for the workers will be established MYS/LACE Establish, maintain, and operate a grievance mechanism for Project before commencement of Project activities workers, as described in the LMP and consistent with ESS2. and it will remain operational throughout Project implementation. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES Before start of project implementation and MYS/LACE Incorporate and implement project relevant OHS measures in the project to be implemented throughout ESMP, including measures related to mitigating COVID-19 risks. implementation ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN Project ESMP incorporating a Waste Management Plan to be prepared before MYS/LACE Incorporate Waste Management Plan in the project ESMP to manage start of project implementation and waste generated implemented throughout implementation 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 3.2 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND Both ESMP and PIM to be prepared before MYS/LACE MANAGEMENT start of project implementation and Resource efficiency and pollution prevention and management measures implemented throughout implementation. will be covered under the ESMP to be prepared. The Project Implementation Manual to include “negative list� to prohibit funding for pollution generating activities. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY Prior to the start of project MYS/LACE Incorporate and implement measures and actions to assess and manage implementation. traffic and road safety risks as required in the ESMPs to be developed under action ESS1 above. 4.2 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY MYS/LACE Put measures in place to prevent or minimize the spread of the infectious Project ESMP to be developed before diseases/COVID-19 to the community and among workers/beneficiaries implementation of project activities to by following national and WHO guidelines of social distancing and other incorporate measure to minimize the spread measures. These measures to be included in project ESMP. of the infectious diseases/COVID-19 to the community and among workers/beneficiaries and implemented throughout project implementation. Prepare SEP and adopt and implement a Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) under SEP as well as a labor related GRM under LMP. Project GRM will also manage the risks of GBV and SEA. Draft SEP to be disclosed before project appraisal, updated and redisclosed before project effectiveness and throughout project implementation. 4.3 SEA/SH RISKS Prepare SEA/SH action plan before project MYS/LACE Prepare, adopt, and implement a stand-alone Action Plan to assess and effectiveness and implement the plan manage SEA/SH) risks and hire a GBV specialist to implement the GBV throughout the project life. Action Plan 4.4 SEA/SH RISKS DURING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION Implement GBV Action Plan throughout MYS/LACE Implement the SEA/SH Action Plan prepared under the project. See project implementation. Sections 4.2 and 4.3 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 4.4 SECURITY PERSONNEL Not Relevant Not Relevant Not Relevant ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 RESETTLEMENT PLANS Update RPF for YOP and disclose before MYS/LACE Update RPF for YOP and prepare, adopt, and implement resettlement project effectiveness, and prepare and plans (RAPs), if required, in accordance with ESS 5 and consistent with implemented RAPs prior commencement of the requirements of the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) t. activities requiring a RAP. 5.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Implement the GM throughout project MYS/LACE implementation. Implement the GM prepared under the project. See Section 10.2 ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 BIODIVERSITY RISKS AND IMPACTS Project ESMP to be prepared, adopted prior MYS/LACE to the commencement of implementing The project activities are not likely to generate biodiversity related risks project activities, and implement and impact. A stand-alone Biodiversity Management Plan is not required. throughout the project implementation. The project ESMP will incorporate measures and provisions that promote sustainable management of natural resources and to mitigate any indirect risks and impacts arising from project activities. Activities that may adversely impact biodiversity and ecosystem services will be included in the negative list of the project. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES There are no groups meeting ESS7 criteria in project area, therefore there are no mitigation measures to be undertaken under ESS7 for the project. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 CHANCE FINDS Chance Finds Procedure to be incorporated MYS/LACE in the project ESMP to be prepared before The project ESMP will include a Chance Finds Procedures which will be commencement of project activities and prepared and adopted prior to the commencement of project implemented throughout project implementation and implemented throughout during project implementation. implementation. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 There are no actions under the Project related to Financial Intermediaries, therefore there are no mitigation measures to be undertaken under ESS9. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION AND Draft SEP prepared and disclosed prior to MYS/LACE IMPLEMENTATION Project appraisal and adopted, updated and implemented throughout Prepare, update, adopt, and implement Stakeholder Engagement the Project preparation and Plan (SEP). The SEP will define the process and mechanism to implementation cycles. inclusively and effectively engage all related stakeholders during the project implementation period and include information on the project Grievance Redress Mechanism. The draft SEP will be disclosed at www.yopliberia.com; mys.gov.lr; laceonline.org; or the executive mansion website and in English. 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM The project GM will be described in the SEP MYS/LACE to be prepared and disclosed prior to Prepare, adopt, maintain and operate a grievance mechanism, as Project appraisal and adopted, described in the SEP. updated and implemented throughout the Project implementation period. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Training to be provided Targeted groups and timing CS1 Staff of MYS/LACE units as well as Training on ESF and the 10 ESSs—including preparation of ESMP and RAP, Modules on GRM preparation and targeted staff of the Project Management implementation, and Stakeholder Engagement Team CS2 Issues Related to COVID-19 PIU staff, targeted staff of project • Use and disposal of PPE (for all) implementing institutions, contractors, • Working/training in COVID-19 environment (All workers and beneficiaries) and targeted beneficiaries • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control mechanism • Standard precautions for COVID-19 (social distancing etc) Will be implemented immediately after • Risk communication, prevention and community engagement (Administrative and operational personnel) project effectiveness and throughout • WHO and CDC guidelines on quarantine project implementation 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP): VERSION 2.0 – July 2019 CS3 SEA/SH PIU staff, targeted staff and officials project implementing institutions, Raising awareness on SEA/SH risks contractors, and beneficiaries Will be implemented immediately after project effectiveness and throughout project implementation 9|Page