THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) P173018 SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT Solomon Islands Government Solomon Islands Sustainable Mining Development Technical Assistance Project (P173018) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) Version: Final June 2021 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) P173018 SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) (hereinafter the Recipient) will implement the Solomon Islands Sustainable Mining Development Technical Assistance Project (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE). The MMERE will lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology (MECCDEM) and other government ministries on Project implementation as may be necessary. The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient 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 Recipient will also comply with the provisions of any other Environmental and Social (E&S) documents required under the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and referred to in this ESCP, such as the Overarching Project Terms of Reference (ToR), the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the Labor Management Procedure (LMP), and the timelines specified in those E&S documents. 4. The Recipient is responsible for the terms of reference, work plans or other documents defining the scope and outputs of technical assistance activities will be drafted so that the advice and other support provided is consistent with ESSs1–10 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 Association by the Recipient 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 Recipient, 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, MMERE 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 MMERE. The MMERE 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 Recipient 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) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Six-monthly throughout Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring reports on implementation. Electrification the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, and functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Minor incidents will be reflected in the six- Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Promptly notify the Association of any incident or accident related to monthly reports to the Association, major Electrification the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on incidents will be reported to the the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers. Association within 24 hours. A report Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating would be provided to the Association, as immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address requested. it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the Association’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The PMU including the Gender and Social Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural The MMERE shall establish and maintain a Project Management Unit Inclusion Officer, the ES and Stakeholder Electrification (PMU) that will comprise a core team which will include a full time Engagement Officer will be established Gender and Social Inclusion Officer, ES and Stakeholder Engagement within three (3) months after Project Officer. The ES and Stakeholder Engagement Officer will ensure project effectiveness. The organizational structure, activities are implemented consistent with ESSs1–10 , the Project’s E&S including the Gender and Social Inclusion risk management documents, and Solomon Islands law. Officer, ES and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, will be maintained throughout Project implementation. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/ MANAGEMENT TOOLS a. Prepare the SESA TOR within three Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural AND INSTRUMENTS / CONTRACTORS months of project Electrification a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of the mining effectiveness.Prepare the rapid SESA sector development, elaborating on the NMP in areas covered across within six months of project several SIG Ministries and their cross-cutting environmental and effectiveness. social policies and identify legislative harmonization needs and capacity building needs across relevant agencies in an institution- b. Adopt, implement and update the centered rapid SESA. The SESA will contain an action plan listing Overarching TOR throughout Project reforms which a set of institutions [that] are responsible for Implementation. Screening of implementing [the action plan] and associated costs. technical activities will continue throughout project implementation. b. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project’s technical advisory activities, in accordance with the Overarching c. Throughout project implementation. Project ToR for the Project and include provisions in the activity- specific ToRs to ensure that technical advisory services are consistent d. Throughout project implementation. with ESS1-10 and the overarching Project ToR. e. During project implementation, prior c. Include environmental and social aspects in consultant and staff to any physical works commencing. terms of reference (ToR) in accordance with ESS1. f. Prior to the preparation of d. Submit all ToRs for the SESA, technical assistance, design, and procurement documents. Supervise capacity building activities (20 specialists and two firm contracts) and contractors throughout Project completed studies to the Association for review and 'no-objection' to implementation. ensure the services requested are consistent with ESS1 and other relevant ESS standards. e. Develop, consult, disclose and implement environmental and social management plan/s (ESMP) for the minor construction and refurbishment works. f. Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including the Labor Management Procedures, into the ESHS specifications of the contractor procurement documents for the minor construction and refurbishment works. Thereafter ensure that the contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS During the assessment process conducted Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Exclude the following types of activities as ineligible for financing under under action 1.2.a. above. Electrification the Project: • Technical assistance activities that include recommendations that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. significant loss of natural habitat, any loss of critical natural habitat) adverse impacts; • Technical assistance activities that include recommendations that have high probability of causing serious adverse effects to human health and/or the environment; • Technical assistance activities that include recommendations that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict; • Technical assistance activities that include recommendations that may affect lands or rights of indigenous people or other vulnerable minorities; • Technical assistance activities that include recommendations that may involve permanent resettlement or land acquisition or any involuntary taking of land (even temporary) or adverse impacts on cultural heritage; • All other excluded activities set out in Table 7, Chapter 7.3 of the Overarching Project ToR; and • New construction activities that may have significant adverse impacts on people or the environment. . 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES Adopt, implement and update the Labor Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable Management Procedures throughout Electrification requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association, Project Implementation. including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures, setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. The Recipient shall adopt and implement Labor Management Procedures (LMP) incorporating the relevant requirements of ESS2. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Adopt, implement and update the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Establish, maintain, and operate a grievance mechanism for Project Grievance Mechanism throughout Project Electrification workers, as described in the LMP and consistent with ESS2. Implementation. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES 1. During project implementation, prior to Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural 1. Prepare, adopt, and implement occupational, health and safety any physical works commencing. Electrification (OHS) measures specified in the ESMPs, contractor Health and Safety Plans, and COVID-19 management SOPs for the minor construction 2. Throughout Project implementation. and refurbishment works. 2. Consultations and workshops must be COVID-19 safe and this will be specified in the consultant(s) contracts as described in the overarching Project TOR. 2.4 WORKER CODE OF CONDUCT Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Ensure that all contracted workers adhere to the Code of Conduct. Electrification Provisions to prevent Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) shall be included in the Code of Conduct (CoC) for Project staff and for contracted workers, as set out in the LMP and in line with relevant national laws and legislation and ESS2 and adopted and applied under the Project. 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT 2.5 CHILD LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Prohibit child labor (any person under the age of 18) due to the hazardous Electrification work situation. 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Relevant impacts from the minor construction and refurbishment Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural works including increased noise and dust, minor hydrocarbon spills and Electrification waste disposal will be managed through the development and implementation of ESMP/s and contractor waste management plans. Relevant aspects of this standard shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to manage all types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, as well as legacy pollution issues associated with mining operations. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Relevant impacts from the minor construction will be managed Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural through the development and implementation of ESMP/s, contractor Electrification health and safety plans, and COVID-19 SOPs. Meaningful consultation will take place including capacity building regarding engaging responsibly with mining affected communities, this will involve community liaison and outreach (defining a community liaison function and engagement plan and building staff skills) and establishing an advisory centre. Relevant aspects of this standard shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, safety of Tailings Storage Facilities and use of security forces. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 The Project may not include any activities which will result in land Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural acquisition, restrictions on land use or involuntary resettlement. The Electrification ToR to support ‘harmonization of environmental regulations’ will include considerations and TA advice that are consistent with ESS5. Relevant aspects of this standard shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, landowner and community rights in mining sector reforms. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 The TA activities related to harmonizing environmental regulations, Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural improving the environmental approvals process and better enforcing Electrification compliance and mine closure requirements will be undertaken consistent with ESS6. Relevant aspects of this standard shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT 7.1 The Association will approve all ToRs for TA activities to ensure that Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural the Project is consistent with ESS7. Relevant elements of the policy are Electrification integrated into the SEP and the overarching Project ToR. The Project will identify and prepare a gap analysis on the legislation concerning legal framework for benefit sharing, customary rights, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) which will be considered in the ToRs for the TA support. Relevant aspects of this standards shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, benefit sharing, customary rights FPIC. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 The Association shall approve any ToRs and completed studies to Throughout implementation of the Project Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural ensure that the Project is consistent with ESS8, as there may be some Electrification implications for tangible and intangible cultural heritage from revisions to the regulatory framework. Relevant aspect of this standard shall also be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant 9|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTAINABLE MINING DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION AND a. A draft SEP has been prepared and Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural IMPLEMENTATION disclosed prior to project appraisal. Electrification a. Implement the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent Updated SEP to be finalized within 30 with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. days after Project effectiveness. b. Update the SEP periodically, upon changes reflecting the COVID travel restrictions of the country. b. Throughout Project implementation c. Submit all ToRs and completed studies to the Bank for review to ensure they are consistent with ESS10. c. Throughout Project implementation 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Prepare, adopt, maintain and operate a grievance mechanism, as Electrification described in the SEP. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 The MMERE PMU and other relevant implementing support staff Within three (3) months of the Effective Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural responsible for the Project to receive training on the Project’s ESF Date and as new Project team members Electrification instruments and the relevant requirements of the Overarching Project join the Project throughout ToR, LMP, and SEP and the roles and responsibilities of different key implementation. agencies in their implementation. CS2 Contractors to receive training on the relevant aspects of the Project Prior to work commencing, throughout Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural ESF instruments and relevant ESHS requirements. Project implementation. Electrification 10 | P a g e