THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN =============== JSC “National Power Networks of Uzbekistan” =========== Electricity Sector Transformation and Resilient Transmission (ESTART) Project- P171683 ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) May 20th, 2021 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Uzbekistan (hereafter the Recipient), shall implement the Electricity Sector Transformation and Resilient Transmission (ESTART) project in Uzbekistan (the Project), through (JSC) “National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan” (further “NEGU” or Project Implementing Entity). The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project supported by the grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). 2. The Recipient shall 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 shall also comply with the provisions of any other Environmental and Social (E&S) documents required under the ESF and referred to in this ESCP, such as Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Labor Management Procedures (LMP), Resettlement Framework (RF), Social Audit (SA), and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the timelines specified in those E&S documents. 4. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP through NEGU. 5. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP shall 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, the Recipient shall agree to the changes with the Association and shall update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP shall be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Recipient. The Recipient shall 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) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring reports on Every six months throughout Project NEGU/ Project Management Unit (PMU) the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the implementation. within NEGU Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, adoption, modification and status of implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). Ensure frequency and content of monitoring reports is detailed in the Project Operations Manual and implemented accordingly. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Promptly notify the Association of any incident or accident related to Promptly, and no later than 48 hours after NEGU/PMU the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on taking notice of the incident or accident. the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers. Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate 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 Association’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. PMU shall obligate the contractors to submit to PMU an incident report, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), precautions and compensation measures taken within 30 business days of the incident. PMU shall forward the incident report to the Bank immediately upon receipt from the contractor. C CONTRACTORS MONTHLY REPORTS Require all Constructions Contractors to provide monthly monitoring Starting 30 days after construction NEGU/PMU reports/briefs on ESIA/ESMP, LMP and SEP implementation to the PMU/ contractors start activities and throughout and/or Supervision Consultants. Such reports should be filed and Project implementation. submitted to the Bank by PMU upon request. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Ensure PMU staffing with qualified specialists: Environmental Specialist Environmental and Social Specialists – Prior NEGU/PMU and Social Specialist in PMU in Tashkent to be supported by NEGU staff to Project Effectiveness as part of core in the project regions. The E&S specialists will ensure the management PMU. of E&S risks and be responsible for ensuring full compliance with the ESF Thereafter maintained throughout Project and relevant instruments. implementation. 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLANS AND INSTRUMENTS A. Finalize, disclose, and adopt the Environmental and Social ESMF finalized prior to project negotiations Management Framework (ESMF) in a manner acceptable to the and implemented throughout project Bank lifetime B. Screen relevant project activities for environmental and social risks in accordance with and as identified in project NEGU/PMU Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), and, Throughout the project implementation thereafter draft, disclose, consult with stakeholders, adopt and implement subproject-specific Environmental and Social Impact Assessment/Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESIAs/ESMPs)/ ESMP checklists and/or other relevant instruments. C. Ensure the relevant clauses of ESMPs are added to any bidding Before launching the procurement process documents and contracts for designing, building, and/or for the relevant Project activities and supervision of project infrastructure. thereafter ensure that contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications in their contracts through their involvement in the respective Project activities. D. In case any “Associated Facilities”(AF) related to project Throughout Project Implementation activities are identified during implementation, the assessment and management of environmental and social risks and impacts of such AFs shall enable the achievement of objectives materially consistent with the WB Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). A compliance assessment shall be conducted and identify any gaps and mitigatory remedies including the necessary provisions in all procurement documents. E. Project Operations Manual (POM) to include a section on E&S Prior Project Effectiveness risk management, including LMP provisions (See ESS2). 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES (LMP) Adhere to the LMP prepared as part of the ESMF and as a part of the Throughout Project Implementation NEGU/PMU Project Operations Manual (POM). 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Establish, maintain, and operate a grievance mechanism for Project Grievance mechanism operational prior NEGU/PMU workers, as described in the LMP and consistent with ESS2. engaging Project workers and maintained throughout Project implementation. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES Implement occupational, health and safety (OHS) measures as per Throughout the project NEGU/PMU applicable national law, ESS2 and guidelines specified in the ESMF, subproject-specific ESIAs/ESMPs/ESMP checklists and LMP. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Assess impacts from waste generation (including hazardous waste), Throughout project implementation, when NEGU/PMU emission and discharge expected from activities funded under the and where relevant Project and include relevant mitigation measures in the sub-project specific ESIAs/ESMPs/ESMP checklists. Ensure adherence of conducted activities with ESIAs/ESMPs/ESMP checklists. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 4.1 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY A. Ensure that Contractors of project funded infrastructure follow sub-project specific ESIA/ESMP/ESMP checklists and implement Throughout project implementation, when NEGU/PMU efficient waste, noise, dust management methods, road safety and where relevant guidelines, occupational, health and safety guidelines and others. B. As part of LMP/POM, and in relation to the ongoing COVID Prior Project Effectiveness pandemic, prepare a checklist and guidance note for all workers to ensure health and safety of workers and community, also reflecting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Consider any labor influx or prevention of gender related violence risks as well. C. Obligate the Contractors to adopt the Code of Conduct included Prior to commencement of civil works and in the LMP and provide training to all workers to manage Sexual throughout the project lifetime. Exploitation and Abuse / Sexual Harassment risks in the sub- projects. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT Conduct a Social Audit of the land acquisition process initiated in Prior to start of construction work on NEGU/PMU connection with construction of Koltsevaya greenfield substation and Koltsevaya substation and associated TLs associated Transmission Lines, to identify any gaps in compliance with requirements under ESS5 and the RF of the project. Implementation of all gap filling measures identified in the Social Audit, as condition for beginning any construction work on Koltsevaya substation. In any other subproject where land acquisition, restrictions on land use RPs submitted for the Bank’s approval and, or involuntary resettlement is unavoidable, a Resettlement Plan(RP) once approved, implemented prior to any based on the RF, will be prepared and fully implemented ahead of physical work on the subproject. starting any physical works on that subproject. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Not Relevant for the Project ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not Relevant for the Project ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Not Relevant for the Project ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not Relevant for the Project ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION Disclose, and adopt a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) acceptable to SEP finalized, consulted on, and disclosed NEGU the Bank. prior to Project Appraisal. 10.2 SEP IMPLEMENTATION AND UPDATE Implement and update the SEP for the full project based on project Throughout Project implementation NEGU/PMU design. Conduct local stakeholder consultations on site-specific ESIAs/ESMPs 10.3 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Adopt, maintain and operate a grievance mechanism, as described in Throughout Project implementation NEGU/PMU the SEP . Ensure dedicated channel and confidentiality to address with grievances related to SEA/SH. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 Plan and conduct ESF training and awareness raising sessions for PMU Throughout Project implementation NEGU/PMU staff, stakeholders, communities, Project workers on:  stakeholder mapping and engagement  grievance management  specific aspects of environmental and social management plan such as OHS, waste management (especially, hazardous POPs in electricity sector), and community safety. CS2 Training to be delivered to Project workers on occupational health and At the commencement of engagement of safety including on emergency prevention and preparedness and project workers, followed by a minimum response arrangements to emergency situations, COVID-19 specific LMP one annual refresher training measures, and diverse and respectful workplaces, free of sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment. . 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ELECTRICITY SECTOR TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENT TRANSMISSION PROJECT (P171683) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY CS3 Implementation of the MoE Gender Action Plan comprising actions to Throughout Project implementation NEGU/PMU increase the gender diversity of the work force, the revision of NES’ HR policy to ensure gender inclusivity for women in the company and the delivery of trainings to management and technical staff on the revised policies and gender diversity and inclusion. 9|Page