SFG1018 V4 REV Central Asia Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for the Aral Sea Basin Environmental Management Framework: Volume IV Republic of Uzbekistan May 11, 2014 Unofficial English translation. Original document in Russian can be accessed at: http://www- wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/ECA/2016/01/21/090224b0840e 7fa9/2_0/Rendered/PDF/Environmental00blic0of0Uzbekistan0.pdf ABBREVIATIONS CAMP4CA Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program in Central Asia CCSCA Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia CIGP Climate Investment Grant Program CEP Committee for Environment Protection DEP Department of Environmental Protection EE Ecological Expertise EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ECA Europe and Central Asia EMF Environmental Management Framework EMP Environmental Management Plan FAO Food and Agricultural Organization GIS Geographic Information Systems GAP Good Agricultural Practices GOK Government of Kyrgyzstan LEE Law on Ecological Expertise LEP Law on Environmental Protection ICSD Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development ICT Information and Communication Technology IPM Integrated Pest Management NCU National Coordinating Unit OP/BP Operational Policy/Best Practice NGO Non-Governmental Organization RSC Regional Steering Committee PEE Personal Protection Equipment SCE State Committee for Environment SCEPF State Committee for Environment Protection and Forestry (Tajikistan) SEE State Ecological Expertise TOT Training of Trainers TWG Technical Working Group 2 CONTENT Executive Summary 4 1. Background 7 1.1 Country Context 7 1.2 Sectoral and Institutional Context 8 2. Program Description 11 2.1 Program Objectives 11 2.2 Key Results 11 2.3 Scope of Program 11 2.4 Implementation Arrangements 19 3. National Environmental Assessment Policies and Regulatory Frameworks 21 4. The World Bank Safeguard Policies 25 5. Comparison of National Legislation and World Bank Environmental Assessment Requirements 35 6. Analysis of Potential Environmental Impacts and Risks Climate Resilience Investments 37 7. Environmental Guidelines 43 8. Integrated Pest Management 47 9. EMF Institutional Arrangements and Capacity Building 57 10. Environmental Supervision and Reporting 60 11. EMF Disclosure 60 Annexes 61 Attachment 1. Environmental Screening Checklist Annex 1 Part 1: Grant Recipient Environmental Screening Checklist Annex 1 Part 2: Environmental Screening Checklist Annex 1 Part 3: Final Environmental Screening Checklist Annex 1 Part 4: Field Inspection Checklist Annex 1 Part 5: Terms of Reference for Environment Impact Assessment Annex 1 Part 6: Recommended Structure for Pest Management Plan Annex 2. Environmental Categorization Annex 3. Terms of Reference for the NCU Environmental Safeguard Specialist Annex 4. Report of Consultation of Draft Country Specific EMFs 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project objective. The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Central Asia (CAMP4CA) is aimed at supporting the integrated development of climate-smart information, institutions, and investment capacities throughout the countries of Central Asia. This is expected to be achieved through strengthened coordination mechanisms; improved information gathering, sharing, and analysis for decision support; and demonstration of innovative, climate-smart action for potential scale up. In particular, the project will support two main components, the first that is aimed at supporting the establishment and operation of a new institutional platform for regional dialogue and collaboration on climate-change related issues, namely a Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia (CCSCA). The second is aimed at supporting climate investments for national rural production, land resource management, and other resilience and mitigation investments in Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, for testing and scaling-up climate- smart approaches and technologies. Project Location. The Climate Investment Subproject Program (CIGP) would be conducted in selected areas of participating countries that are vulnerable to climate change. These areas are expected to include each of the major agro-ecological systems (rangelands, mountains, irrigated and arid) of the participating countries, which will be further narrowed based on the criteria below. The final selection of project areas will be made at the project outset based on climate vulnerability such as extent of land and vegetation degradation, expected water shortages, and predicted increase in temperature; located in the parts of the country with the highest share of bottom 40% population; and areas having the largest concentration of population outside municipal centers. Project category. In accordance with the Bank’s safeguard policies and procedures, including OP/BP/GP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, the project is classified as Category B for which an Environmental Assessment (EIA) with Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is required. As before Appraisal it is not possible to identify which CIGPs will be financed, the appropriate EA instrument is the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) which would specify all rules and procedures for the CIGP sub-projects Environmental Assessment (EIA). Purpose of Environmental Management Framework. The purpose of the EMF is to provide the World Bank’s and the participating governments rules and procedures for project Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA), identify the significant environmental impacts of the project (both positive and negative), to outline rules and procedure for the CIGP sub-projects environmental screening and to specify appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures (including appropriate monitoring plan) to prevent, eliminate or minimize any anticipated adverse impacts on environment. The EMF report was prepared based on the following: (i) analysis of the existing national legal documents, regulations and guidelines; (ii) World Bank safeguard policies, as well as other guiding materials; (iii) existing EMFs for similar World Bank projects, and (iv) experience of EMF implementation of ongoing World Bank funded projects in the CAMP4CA countries. Based on the EMF, each participating country will revise and adjust the document to suit their specific needs and conditions. 4 EA Institutional capacities to perform environmental safeguards. The evaluation of the EA institutional capacity has shown that most national institutions and implementing entities although having basic capacities to perform their duties concerning EA and enforcing the EMF provisions, there is need for additional capacity building activities. In this regard the Project will support additional staffing, capacity building and training activities to ensure the environmental requirements and the EMF provisions would be fully implemented. A special attention will be paid to training of Environmental Safeguard Specialists in the National Coordinating Units (NCUs) of each participating country so as manage the CIGP environment assessment review, approval, oversight and monitoring process in subprojects. Special capacity building activities will be conducted for potential subproject recipients and the participating banks, which will arrange investment financing. Potential environmental impacts. The project will support mostly small-scale types of agricultural and horticultural activities, agro-forestry and rangeland management and alternative energy production systems. None of these activities are expected to cause significant environmental impacts which may fall under the Category A projects and for which a full EIA would be required (it was decided none of category A subprojects will be supported under the proposed CIGP grant investment line). However, the majority of sub-projects might cause some level of environmental impacts that would fall under the Category B projects in accordance with the Bank OP/BP 4.01 (small scale agriculture and horticulture improvements; small scale rehabilitation and maintenance of rangelands and off-grid renewable energy activities, plantation of new agro-forestry and orchards etc.), for which the Bank requires a simple and/or a partial Environmental Assessment and/or preparing an Environmental Management Plan. It is also expected that many of the subprojects supported by CIGP grants will not have environmental impacts and will fall under the Category C in accordance with OP/BP 4.01 (especially those related to purchasing of new agricultural machinery, small farm infrastructure, water management, rehabilitation of agricultural lands, etc.). Furthermore, it is expected the selected CIGP subprojects will not be located in protected areas, critical habitats or culturally or socially sensitive areas, which will be ensured during the CIGP subprojects screening and EIA. The potential adverse environmental impacts of proposed types of CIGP subprojects might be summarized as follows: (a) agricultural production: soil erosion, loss of soil productive capacity, soil compaction, soil pollution, surface and underground water pollution, loss of biodiversity; (b) small scale construction and/or rehabilitation of the existing premises: soil and air pollution; acoustic, construction wastes; (iii) on-farm irrigation and water management: increased soil erosion and water table rise, construction-related impacts; (iv) pasture and rangeland management: soil erosion and soil compacting through extensive use, loss of native fodder species; (v) sloping land horticulture: soil erosion and soil movement; (vi) participatory forestry and agro-forestry: soil erosion, loss of biodiversity; and (vii) off-grid renewable energy production: reduction of downstream flows, water table fluctuations, land erosion, etc. All these impacts are expected to be easily mitigated through good project design and implementation practices. Potential social impacts. The CIGP sub-projects will generate a great number of both direct and indirect positive impacts. Direct positive impacts will be generated by increased production, products and goods which would result in creation of new jobs and respectively, more 5 employment and increased income. Indirect positive impacts will relate to overall improving of business environment, introduction of advanced agricultural technologies and techniques, 6 contribution to poverty reduction and food safety. Potential indirect adverse social impacts can be related to increase water pollution due to more usage of chemicals in agriculture. Environment Management Framework (EMF). The document outlines EA procedures and mitigation requirements in line with both national and World Bank policies for the CIGP subprojects which will be supported by the project. It provides details on procedures, criteria and responsibilities for CIGP subprojects EA, including, screening, review and approval, implementing, monitoring, supervision and reporting. The document also includes environmental guidelines for different types of proposed CIGP subprojects providing analysis of potential impacts and generic mitigation measures to be undertaken for subprojects in key support sectors at all stages - from identification and selection, through the design and implementation phase, to the monitoring and evaluation of results. Lastly, the EMF includes a section on pest management that outlines the procedures for ensuring the safe handling, storage and use of pesticides and promotion of integrated pest management as an alternative option for the use of pesticides. 6 1. Background 1.1 Country Context The five Central Asian countries1, which are among the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region’s most vulnerable to climate change, face common climate challenges, affecting key resources and sectors such as water, land, biodiversity and ecosystems, agriculture, energy, and human health. Average annual temperatures across the region have increased since the mid-20th century by 0.5°C in the south to 1.6°C in the north and impacts are already being observed, from melting glaciers in upland areas to droughts and floods in the lowlands. Under current greenhouse gas trajectories, climate change is expected to intensify over the coming decades, leading to more variability and instability in the region’s water resources and rising costs for development sectors. Building resilience to climate change is a priority in Central Asia, including by tackling the non-climatic drivers of vulnerability in the region, such as inefficient infrastructure, unsustainable land and water management, rural poverty, and low adaptive capacity to ongoing and future changes. The greatest risks from climate change in Central Asia are focused on the agriculture, energy, and water resources sectors (see Box 1), and extend across national borders, through connectivity in land and water systems as well as social and economic interactions (e.g., migratory flows, food and energy markets). For example, the Syr Darya River, one of the two largest rivers in Central Asia, originates in the mountains of Kyrgyz Republic and is mainly fed by glacier and snow melt. The river then flows through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, where it is utilized for large-scale irrigated agriculture, particularly cotton and wheat production, and ends in the Aral Sea. While the water flow could increase in the short term (as a consequence of glacier melt), the hydrologic changes in the long run (from changes in snow/ice accumulation and melt, enhanced evaporation and crop water requirements, and uncertain precipitation changes) could have dramatically adverse social, economic, and environmental consequences on irrigation-dependent agriculture across Central Asia. The story is similar for the other major Central Asian river, the Amu Darya River, that originates in the mountains of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The region’s vulnerability will be further exacerbated by inefficient water use, lack of infrastructure, limited enforcement of regulations, as well as environmental degradation. 1 Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. 7 Box 1: Climate Change Impacts in Central Asia: Water Scarcity Challenges for Agricultural Production While rising temperatures are expected throughout Central Asia, reaching an increase of 7°C relative to 1951-1980 by the end of the 21st century in a 4°C warmer world, precipitation projections for the region are highly uncertain, with models often not agreeing on the direction of change. The main impacts on water resources are therefore expected through changes in the cryosphere and its water storage potential. In Central Asia, glaciers are projected to lose up to 50% in volume in a 2°C warmer world, and potentially up to 75% in a 4°C warmer world. Concurrently, a 25% decrease in snow cover is expected in the Northern hemisphere with 4°C warming. Glaciers in the region have already shrunk by one-third in volume since the beginning of the 20th century. For the Amu and Syr Darya river basins, glacier area retreat in glacial extent for the period 2007-2050 (in a 2°C warmer world) is projected to decline by 54 to 65% over the period 2007-2050 in a 2°C warmer world (Lutz, A. F. et al. 2013). Projections of volume loss for the end of the century are in the range of 50 to 78% in a 4°C warmer world (Marzeion et al. 2012). While glaciers store water over decades to centuries, the seasonal snow pack stores water mainly at a shorter intra-annual time scale. With a projected smaller fraction of precipitation falling as snow, expected snowpack changes pose another threat to freshwater availability. Snowmelt contributes more than glaciers currently to Syr Darya (70 percent from snowmelt and 9 percent from glacier melt) and Amu Darya (45 percent of mean annual flows from snowmelt and 25 percent from glacier melt) basins (Savoskul and Smakhtin, 2013). In the coming decades, river runoff is projected to increase due to enhanced glacial melt rates, and to then decrease through the second half of the century. By around 2030, this increase is expected to level off, as rising land surface temperatures lead to higher evaporation. By the end of the 21st century a noticeable decrease in the runoff of the Syr Darya is expected, and even more so for the Amu Darya given its higher share of glacier melt water. Critical for water resource availability, the timing of peak flows is projected to shift towards spring, resulting in a 25% reduction in discharge during the mid-summer period (July and August) in a 2°C warmer world. As a result, less water will be available during the crop-growing season. Reductions in water availability are predicted to occur along with an increasing demand for irrigation water of about 30% in 4°C warmer world. Combined with increased heat extremes that negatively affect crop productivity, substantial risks for irrigated and rainfed agricultural systems can also be expected. 1.2 Sectoral and Institutional Context Many of the key development sectors in Central Asia are vulnerable to climate change. For example, in agriculture, which is critical for the largely rural livelihoods in the region, cropping system productivity (including in both rainfed and irrigated systems) is sensitive to variations in rainfall, hydrologic flows modulated by snow accumulation and melt, system storage, as well as evapotranspiration. Energy systems are sensitive to hydrologic changes (e.g., in the case of hydropower), demand changes (e.g., in warmer areas in summer), the impact of extreme events on transmission systems, as well as sensitive to mitigation actions (e.g., in the case of fossil fuels). Across sectors (e.g., food/nutrition, energy, water, health), women tend to be more 8 affected by climate change, owing in particular to their unequal access to, and control over, resources, particularly in rural areas, making them more vulnerable to poverty and climate change. Climate change will exacerbate such problems, calling for responses that consider a gender perspective in achieving sustainable, climate-resilient development. However, the fundamental information, institutional, and investment infrastructure required to manage these existing and evolving climate risks effectively are inadequate from a regional perspective, especially in the post-soviet era. Information needs include: improved climate and water resource monitoring systems (that are often dilapidated and outdated) and public domain access to such information (which is currently extremely poor), improved integration of a rich variety of earth observation data, improved analytical tools, and improved generation of public- domain knowledge products and services. On Institutions, this includes a need to modernize the capacity of critical institutions managing climate and water monitoring and analysis and sectoral planning and operations, improved regional networking and awareness-building, improved research on targeted knowledge gaps, and improved consideration of climate issues in sectoral and regional planning. Investments are urgently needed to identify and implement “climate- smart� actions in key sectors, and to pilot integrated and innovative resource management approaches for climate resilience. The emerging climate change impacts in Central Asia are becoming well-recognized and the countries are focusing on reducing vulnerability and moving towards climate-smart development. For example, there is a Bank-financed activity underway to initiate modernization of the region’s hydro-meteorological services that are critical for early warning. Kazakhstan has initiated work on the Clean Technology Fund, including an innovative Carbon trading program, and Tajikistan has developed a Strategic Program for Climate Resilience, with five investment and capacity-building activities. However, climate change does not yet receive high priority in terms of designing critical measures - both at the national and regional levels. Hence, a coordinated and integrated approach toward climate resilience and poverty reduction is needed. This will help improve the effectiveness of national climate actions, as well as maximize synergies across the sectors and countries. In particular, a coordinated approach will enhance (i) complementarities (e.g., agricultural trade, regional power markets, insurance mechanisms, etc.); (ii) economies of scale (e.g., shared research and knowledge efforts); (iii) strategic planning and financing (e.g., access to climate finance, collaboration with development partners); and (iv) innovation and experience-sharing (e.g., replication and scaling-up across countries of successful pilots). Acknowledging that climate risks transcend borders between Central Asian countries, the inaugural Central Asia Climate Knowledge Forum, held in June 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, emphasized the need for countries to collaborate in effective and scaled-up resilience. Since then, the Forum has emerged as a platform to encourage learning, dialogue, and collaboration among Central Asian countries on climate-resilient development, including establishing the building blocks of a regional program for climate resilience. The 2nd Central Asia Climate Knowledge Forum, held in May 2014 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, concluded with a call from all five Central Asian countries for a regional program on climate resilience to strengthen climate-smart information, institutions and capacity for cross-sectoral and cross-country planning, and investment preparation and implementation, in order to increase regional collaboration in the 9 long-term. All five countries agreed that a regional program for climate adaptation and mitigation is extremely timely and can build on, and strengthen, existing experience and initiatives in the region. Work by the Central Asia Technical Working Group on Climate Change2 also indicated that the countries are facing similar sectoral challenges where resilience must be strengthened (e.g., agriculture, water, energy, health, forestry, and biodiversity) as well as gaps for addressing these challenges (e.g., knowledge and capacity, lack of an enabling regulatory framework, and access to finance and technology). These commonalities lend themselves well to a systematic and integrated approach at the regional scale that can improve the effectiveness of the response in each country, by maximizing synergies across sectors. 2 A group of technical experts nominated by the Governments of the five Central Asian countries to work across borders and sectors on climate- smart solutions 10 2. Program Description In Central Asia, climate change risks transcend national boundaries, through inter-connections of land and water systems as well as social and economic interactions, and regional-scale solutions are needed for effective and scaled-up resilience. At the Second Central Asia Climate Knowledge Forum in May 2014, all five Central Asia countries called for a regional program on climate action, to be prepared by the World Bank in partnership with Central Asia countries and development partners. The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Central Asia (CAMP4CA) meets this call and aims to establish a platform for greater collaboration on climate-related issues, which will support the integrated development of climate-smart information, institutions, and investment capacities in Central Asia. 2.1 Program Objectives The objective of the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Central Asia (CAMP4CA) program is to support the integrated development of climate-smart information, institutions, and investment capacities throughout the countries of Central Asia. This is expected to be achieved through strengthened coordination mechanisms; improved information gathering, sharing, and analysis for decision support; and demonstration of innovative, climate-smart action for potential scale up. 2.2 Key Results Progress towards achieving the PDO will be measured using the following indicators and end of project targets:  Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia established and functioning to provide overall program coordination and ensure collaboration among national counterparts  Number of participating countries that upscale climate investment programs, based on improved knowledge of technologies, costs, and impacts  Number of regional climate coordination networks supported under program, enabling intra-government, sectoral, NGO, etc. cooperation  Percentage of users satisfied with climate assessment IT platform  Government sectoral specialists and broad set of NGO stakeholders participate in regional climate coordination mechanisms  Number of villages supported in introducing climate resilience measures  Percentage of female beneficiaries will be at least 30% 2.3 Scope of the Program CAMP4CA will consist of two interrelated components:  Component 1 – Climate Knowledge Services and Implementation Facilitation will support the establishment and operation of a new institutional platform for regional 11 dialogue and collaboration on climate-change related issues, namely a Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia (CCSCA). It is expected that this Climate Secretariat will be established under the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD), a formal regional institution, comprising all five countries and established under charter in 1993 through Presidential signature. The Secretariat will facilitate regional knowledge sharing and provide overall implementation under the program.  Component 2 – Climate Investments will provide support for national rural production, land resource management, and other resilience and mitigation investments in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, for testing and scaling-up climate-smart approaches and technologies. Investments may also be financed in Turkmenistan at a later stage during program implementation, subject to country financing for the program. Results of the national pilots will be shared through activities supported by the Secretariat to ensure that lessons learned benefit all countries in the region. These investments would be financed through a Climate Investment Grant Program (CIGP), or loans as may be preferred by the participating countries, in selected climate vulnerable sites, with the aim of increasing climate resiliency as well as improving rural livelihoods. Component 1: Climate Knowledge Services and Implementation Facilitation Sub-Component 1.1: Climate Knowledge Services This sub-component will contribute to the development of a unified, regional analytical platform for climate-smart development in Central Asia, with improved data, information, knowledge, and decision-support tools. Under the oversight of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC) and in close collaboration with national entities, the Climate Secretariat will develop activity programs to enhance regional climate knowledge services. The Secretariat will also oversee the delivery of such activity programs. These programs could include the following types of climate knowledge services:  Strengthening the IT platform for Central Asia climate data and information to facilitate public-domain collection, sharing, and maintenance of datasets relevant for climate-smart assessment. This platform will build on existing systems to collate, analyze, disseminate, and use climate-change relevant data. The platform (including supporting ICT hardware, software, connectivity, datasets, access to expertise, and training) would facilitate data computerization, collation of comprehensive spatial (GIS, remote sensing) and temporal datasets from global, regional, and local sources, and real-time collation (including from earth observation and hydro-meteorological systems, crowd sourcing information, and feedback). The platform would also offer interfaces and tools for data visualization, contextualization, and interpretation, such as GIS to layer data and map risks and hotspots, screening and modelling tools to support analysis for climate adaptation and mitigation. The platform would make available a comprehensive and up-to-date data and information base, which could be shared and leveraged through public-domain access platforms and the creation of a range of knowledge products and services. 12  Targeted upgrading of climate-related monitoring systems. This activity would provide improved monitoring systems and data series to support project activities (e.g., snow, permafrost, and glacier/cryosphere surveys and monitoring, agricultural systems monitoring). In conjunction with other regional and national activities, this monitoring system is expected to facilitate the building of a shared public-domain knowledge base for climate resilience and low-carbon growth.  Developing methodologies, approaches, and tools to support the use of the knowledge base for decision-support. This is expected to include developing/adapting climate screening tools for specific sectors, climate impact assessment and management analytical tools, and support for climate-related decision making. These approaches and tools would be developed in conjunction with other regional and national programs.  Developing knowledge products such as web portals (including the CAMP4CA web portal that would be a conduit to access the knowledge base, products, tools, and documentation created with project support), mobile Apps, hardcopy and interactive Atlases, interactive toolkits, climate risk and vulnerability analyses (e.g., by sector or countries), and special analytical work (e.g., studies and surveys). This activity would seek to incorporate and build upon current experience in the region (e.g., that of CAEWDP and FLERMONECA), and operate in synergy with other initiatives (e.g., proposed Central Asia Water Resources Project). A special focus would be on knowledge products to improve information and awareness in the public domain: the Secretariat would for instance work with the countries to produce a Climate & Sustainability Report every two years on trends and indicators in the region for climate as well as environmental and socio-economic impacts.  Capacity and coalition building, which would include activities related to: - Modernization of offices: In synergy with other projects (e.g., the proposed Central Asia Water Resources Project) to modernize climate-related offices in terms of limited civil works, equipment, and processes, including for operational control/situation rooms, videoconferencing, computer training rooms, digital libraries, and office IT modernization as required. - Improved documentation and training material development: This would include preparing improved documentation about new techniques and technologies for climate-smart development, such as case studies from past and ongoing demonstrations/pilots (including from CAMP4CA investments and global experiences) to extract lessons and good practices in a structured and systematic manner in order to inform adaptive management, design of future investments, and scaling-up of demonstration investments. Dissemination material, targeting different audiences (e.g., decision-makers, entrepreneurs, youth, citizens) would also be prepared and on longer term, this material would constitute a regional repository of climate-smart solutions to inspire, inform, and enable transformation. Documentation and training material would be made available through hardcopy and electronic means (including via CAMP4CA web portal). Communication products would also include CAMP4CA newsletters, videos and other multi-media products, as well as 14 13 virtual communities of practice to highlight ongoing and proposed national and regional activities, achievements, and lessons. - Training and knowledge exchange mechanisms:  Distance learning (e.g., using video conference/online systems, webinars, etc.) as well as face-to-face training and discussion sessions and forums. Special hands-on courses (e.g., using GIS, models, online services, Apps) would be designed and delivered on a regular basis using computer training rooms at regional/national level. It is expected that this would help access, and contribute to, global good practice in shared-vision climate-smart development, build professional networks, and improve the capacity to mainstream climate change considerations into policy, investment, and livelihood decisions.  Field trips and workshops to reduce transaction costs for knowledge exchange and cross-learning, with a special focus on cross-sectoral and cross-regional learning (e.g., bringing together technical staff from several countries’ agriculture and environment ministries to share lessons from pilots and to discuss common approaches; making available international expertise on a specific topic of interest to a group of countries in the region; working with countries on reviewing development plans to assess climate vulnerabilities and options for resilient development investments).  Internship/Visiting Expert Program: An innovative effort under CAMP4CA would be to develop mechanisms to engage young professionals (e.g., pursuing graduate studies in relevant fields) from Central Asia countries to work together on developing the knowledge base as well as knowledge and communication products on climate action. This is intended not only to in-source valuable cutting-edge skills to help address climate challenges, but also to develop professional networking among the next generation of specialists in the region. Efforts would also be made to facilitate a program of professional exchanges through short-term re-deployment and staff-exchanges in the region. Efforts would also be made to improve professional networking within Central Asia as well as with global expertise through facilitating membership in professional organizations, professional journal subscriptions, and participation in professional meetings.  Climate Change Knowledge Forum for Central Asia, as a continuing annual event for knowledge and experience sharing across a broad cross-section of stakeholders (e.g., representatives from Central Asia governments, regional organizations, civil society organizations, national and regional knowledge and learning institutions, and development partners active in the region). The Forum, where the call for CAMP4CA was launched by the five Central Asia countries in May 2014, is expected to become a major regional platform for regular knowledge exchange and collaboration, including for engagement and consultations around CAMP4CA’s results, opportunities for scaling up successful pilot investments with development partners and other interested stakeholders, and future orientations for the Program.  Climate Knowledge Collaborative Networks, to catalyze information and knowledge exchange, collaboration around initiatives, and the emergence of 14 action-oriented communities and citizen feedback. This could be facilitated by 15 the CAMP4CA web portal, Apps, and other online knowledge networking tools. This will also build on communities of practice such as the Water-Energy-Climate Knowledge Network, initiated under CAEDWP, and the Central Asia Climate Resilience Community, a grouping of Civil Society Organizations set up following the May 2014 Climate Forum. These knowledge networks would be used to help design and implement a massive outreach campaign, for awareness- raising and consensus on climate action. In addition to media channels, this campaign could include: (i) training sessions to journalists; and (ii) “appathons� or other such competitions (e.g., Innovation Marketplace) to effectively engage the next generation in contributing to climate innovations.  Technical Helpdesk: The project would also seek to develop a mechanism to institutionalize regional and national helpdesk functions to facilitate access to climate-related data, maps, tools, knowledge base, presentation and training material, reports and other knowledge products, and expertise. Sub-Component 1.2: Climate Secretariat Services This sub-component would support the Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia (CCSCA) in facilitating CAMP4CA implementation. This would include support for the operating costs of project management functions. Key functions include procurement and financial management (which will possibly be outsourced to a third-party fiduciary agent), as well as coordination, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation, to promote effective implementation and adaptive management of all CAMP4CA activities. The Secretariat would operate under the guidance of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC), and in close collaboration with National Coordination Units (NCUs), to ensure national ownership and effective regional coordination. The Secretariat would carry out the following activities:  Review investment proposals, proposed by NCUs, for completeness and submit recommendations to RSC;  Propose an annual workplan for RSC’s consideration and approval, covering in particular climate knowledge service activities as well as climate resilience pilot investments;  Prepare every two years a Climate & Sustainability Report for Central Asia, for RSC consideration;  Prepare quarterly and annual activity monitoring reports for RSC consideration;  Send instructions (as per RSC guidance) to third-party fiduciary agent managing CAMP4CA resources, on procurement and disbursements under the program;  Provide support for RSC meetings (e.g., prepare background documentation, strategy papers,3 arrange logistics, etc.). 3 These papers could take the form of roadmaps, with concrete recommendations on information generation and dissemination, institutional capacity building, policy reform, investment in infrastructure, with an emphasis on areas where a regional coordinated answer would yield additional value. As an example, the papers could address: (i) modernization of systems for the provision of seeds and cultivars (since more diverse and adapted species can enhance resilience); (ii) provision to farmers of agro-meteorological information that matters (looking at needs and options in the chain monitoring systems and weather forecasting, climate change models, knowledge and skills, communication channels with farmers, options available to farmers); and (iii) regional risk-sharing mechanisms for the agricultural sector (including agricultural insurance scheme). 15 Financing will be provided for fixed and or short-term specialists to staff the Secretariat.4 It is anticipated that countries later may second staff to support Secretariat functions. The Component would also support equipment and incremental operating expenses (including travel) for the Secretariat. In addition, consultant support and operating costs will be provided to NCUs to support these units in awareness raising and training activities under the program, investment proposal reviews, monitoring, reporting, environmental management, social development, and in other areas as per approved work plans. Component 2: Climate Investment Grant/Loan Program (CIGP) Project Area. The CIGP would be conducted in selected areas of participating countries that are vulnerable to climate change. These areas are expected to include each of the major agro- ecological systems (rangelands, mountains, irrigated and arid) of the participating countries, which will be further narrowed based on the criteria below. The final selection of project areas will be made at the project outset. The following criteria would be used for selecting priority areas:  Located in climate-vulnerable areas of Central Asia, based on the extent of land and vegetation degradation, expected water shortages, and predicted increase in temperature (alternative: extreme events, e.g., floods, droughts);  Located in the parts of the country with the highest share of bottom 40% population (e.g., with the largest share of the bottom two quantiles of the population with the lowest incomes);  Have the largest concentration of population outside municipal centers (i.e., the proposed activities would benefit a large number of rural population). Sub-Component 2.1: Awareness, Capacity Building and Community Support The objective of this sub-component is to build the capacity of local institutions, private sector, NGOs, and other civil society organizations in areas relevant to the project (such as on various technologies for improved climate resilience in water, soil management, agro-forestry, etc.) and community development, to enable them to provide assistance to vulnerable communities in benefiting from project activities. The sub-component will also finance capacity building for communities to understand the importance, availability, and menu of climate resilience measures, and to apply for grants/loans to implement and scale up the relevant climate resilience measures at the community level. A Technical Advisor5 to the component will be hired to carry out the Training-of-Trainers (TOT) of service providers (i.e., Trainers-Consultants) – private sector, NGOs and other organizations that will have been hired on a competitive basis to work with the villages and communities. The project approach is participatory, to ensure transparency. The Trainers-Consultants will (i) raise awareness of communities on the importance of climate change effects and adaptation and mitigation measures; (ii) facilitate the community discussions to agree on the set of priority 4 Expected to include a Director, three technical specialists covering respectively agriculture, water, and climate change, a liaison/communication officer, an accountant, and two administrative support staff. 5 Such as, selected centers of the CGIAR system and others. 16 measures for implementation; (iii) help with preparing a Summary Proposal for grant support, as well as the Full Proposal; (iv) assist the community, together with the Technical Advisor (if needed), in the implementation of the agreed investment measures; as well as (v) prepare a subproject results and lessons report for submission to the NCU for knowledge depositary and sharing. Farmers, farmer groups, private companies, water users associations, pasture management and/or user groups and other private business representatives will also be able to request support from the Trainers-Consultants in preparing applications for grant funding. Awareness Raising on Climate Change Issues. The Trainers-Consultants will carry out a public awareness campaign in the project areas, to sensitize the potential target population of the expected climate change impacts, as well as inform the target population of the menu of available activities to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Among other things, the potential target beneficiaries will be informed of the grant program through this campaign which will include information dissemination on both the training activities and the investments funding. Information will also be disseminated through local authorities, local NGOs. Use of female interlocutors targeting potential female beneficiaries will also be explored. Beneficiary Training. The beneficiaries would receive relevant training on the various climate resilience measures relevant to their situation and on how to apply for the funding from the investment program. Participatory Investment Proposal Preparation. Two aspects of the proposed approach to the training and – subsequently – grant/loan proposal development are highlighted: i. Predominantly “landscape-based�, i.e., to the extent possible, an integrated set of measures for climate resilience will be developed. For instance, drip irrigation, which is a water-saving irrigation technology may be coupled with development of tree-crops or vegetables, to maximize the economic and financial viability of the proposed investment. ii. Participatory, in particular in respect of the community/village grants. Households from villages or groups of villages (mahallas), led by the Trainers-Consultants and the village elderly (aksakals) will prioritize the issues stemming from climate change, receive training on the appropriate adaptation and/or mitigation measures, and agree on the set of appropriate measures, the required grant/loan amount and the beneficiary contribution. Sub-Component 2.2: Investment Grant/Loan Financing Loans (including microfinance) will be provided for Uzbekistan through financial institutions/banks supported through a special loan facility. The facility will ensure financing in the form of loans, leases and microfinance transactions (for example, for micro enterprises). The maximum amount of finance will not exceed $300,000 per recipient, with a minimum of 10% of co-finance required from the borrower. To take part in the scheme, the banks will need to meet a number of eligibility criteria such as the availability of a satisfactory financial and management structure, sufficient equity, asset quality, and acceptable lending activity in the most recent year, adequate liquidity, and satisfactory management of technical personnel and other resources, 17 necessary for ensuring effective financial transactions. The project will provide technical assistance to these financial institutions to improve their skills in assessing investment subproject proposals envisioning the use of land, water, agriculture, and power. Eligible Investments under the program are expected to primarily support the following areas: i. Crop diversification, climate-resilient seed/sapling variety and seed system support measures; ii. On-farm water resource management and efficiency improvement measures; iii. Land degradation control through agro-forestry and rangeland management measures; iv. Promotion of stability and sustainability of mountain ecosystems and livelihoods; v. Conservation agriculture. As an example, investments to be supported could include: i. Improving productivity of field and horticultural crops, by adopting new and appropriate technologies: - Establishing simple low cost green houses - Fodder seed (both pulses and grass) production - Private nurseries - Vineyards and orchards - Improved cropping systems, such as crop diversification - Improved crop and tree varieties (wood lots) - Improved seed varieties (e.g., more tolerant to drought, pest, disease and salinity), including using community-revolving seed funds ii. Improving on-farm water management - Drip and plastic tube irrigation - Land leveling - Planting shelter belts - Irrigation scheduling - Alternate furrow irrigation iii. Improving pasture and rangeland management - Infrastructure to access and use remote pastures - Small machinery to produce and harvest fodder - Rehabilitation measures for degraded areas iv. Sloping land horticulture on the steep lands - Contour planting of fruit and nut trees on rainfed land - Terraced orchards (ring and basin systems) - Orchards with drip/basin irrigation, mulching - Use of live fences v. Pest and disease control - Biological controls - Integrated pest management (with use of bio-pesticides only) 18 vi. Participatory Forestry and Agro-forestry Management vii. Improving farmers’ access to weather forecasting information for decision-making viii. Off-grid renewable energy for remote rural communities.6 Beneficiaries of the investment sub-projects will be villages, or village communities (mahallas), as well as private farmers interested in introducing climate resilience measures located in the Project Areas. The implementation of the investment program will be assisted by the Trainers-Consultants, and – if needed – the Technical Advisor; and monitored by the NCU. Beneficiaries will be monitored to ensure that implementation takes place as agreed, and once in operation, each investment will be evaluated to assess its costs and benefits. Detailed operational guidelines for the investment program will be developed before the project effectiveness. Eligibility Criteria for Investments7 i. Located in the project area; ii. Is included in the eligible types of investment; iii. Is cost effective based on a cost-benefit analysis (long-term benefits outweigh the costs); iv. The Beneficiary has the necessary resources to ensure post-project sustainability of the investment; v. Sub-project can be replicated by other interested parties; vi. The required contribution of the Beneficiary has been confirmed. 2.4 Implementation Arrangements The proposed implementation arrangements will ensure a balance between national ownership and effective regional coordination (managed by the Secretariat). CAMP4CA implementation arrangements are expected to include: Given its mandate to coordinate and manage regional cooperation on sustainable development in Central Asia countries, the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (ICSD) will serve as the implementing agency for the Program's regional, cross-cutting activities. The Program’s proposed management arrangements will ensure a balance between effective regional and national coordination. These management arrangements are expected to include: a) A Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia (CCSCA) under ICSD to provide overall program coordination in collaboration with national agencies. The CCSCA will be responsible for considering investment proposals submitted by national authorities, preparing annual work plans, and arranging activities involving climate information services. Staffing of the CCSCA will be initially contracted, and will 6 Primarily expected for Kazakhstan in Phase II of the project. 7 Mitigation co-benefit from the sub-projects will also need to be calculated, however, it will not be a formal eligibility requirement. 19 include a Director, technical specialists, a communications officer, an accountant, and two administrative assistants. b) National Coordination Units (NCUs), in each participating country, operating under the supervision of a national focal point and Technical Working Group (TWG), will be responsible for ensuring awareness raising and outreach of grant investment opportunities, providing training for grant proposal preparation, screening proposals, submitting investment proposals to the CCSCA based on focal point and TWG recommendations, monitoring investment implementation, and ensuring compliance with Bank safeguards. c) The Component 2 of the Program follows the concept of community-driven development with village communities and other community groups, such as farmers, water user associations, and pasture user groups, taking responsibility for the choice, design, and management of rural investments and resource management plans. In support of sub-component 2.2, experienced NGOs will coordinate with local government, other local NGOs, and other supporting organizations, as needed, to provide facilitation support. This support will include participatory investment planning and implementation, and will help build the technical and administrative capacities of these groups. In addition, the annual climate knowledge forum will provide a platform for Civil Society Organizations to share information, best practice in climate smart actions and act as sounding board to the TWG. Fiduciary responsibilities (financial management, procurement, and disbursement functions) may be outsourced to a third party, to help streamline implementation and support a more even implementation among the participating countries. A Regional Steering Committee will also be established, comprised of representative from the five country focal agencies, a representative from ICSD, and the CCSCA Director, to provide general Program oversight, including approving yearly activities and budget, monitoring Program progress, and reporting to ICSD as well as relevant stakeholders. 20 3. National Environmental Assessment Policies and Regulatory Frameworks This section identifies the countries’ regulatory base for environmental assessment. It is followed by an analysis of the existing environmental policies and legislation, including regulations for environmental impact assessment, and comparison with the relevant World Bank policies to identify gaps and the needs and areas for strengthening. National Environmental Policies: The main priority for the Republic of Uzbekistan during the on-going economic reforms is to ensure reliable social guarantees and measures for social security and environmental protection8. Nature protection policy and the implementing measures in the areas of rational use of the natural resources and environment protection are based on the following main principles:  Integration of economic and ecological policy aimed at conservation and restoration of the environment as the essential condition for improvement of the living standards of the population;  Transition from protection of individual natural elements to the general and integrated protection of ecosystems; and  Responsibility of all members of society for environment protection and conservation of biodiversity Environmental Legislation and Policy: Relevant environmental laws and regulations in the framework of the present project include:  “On Environmental Protection� (1992), establishing a legal, economic and organizational framework for environment protection, ensuring sustainable development and defining principles including State Ecological Expertise (SEE);  “On the Protection of Agricultural Plants from Pests, Diseases and Weeds� (2000) regulates activities on the protection of agricultural plants from pests, diseases and weeds, and the prevention of the harmful influence of plant protective substances on human health and on the natural environment;  “On Ecological Expertise� (2001) provides for mandatory expert assessment of impacts on the environment and human health, as well as a legal basis for conducting expert assessments; and  “On Ecological Control� (2013) regulates relations in the field of environmental control. The main objectives of environmental control are prevention, detection and suppression of violations of environmental regulations; monitoring of environmental situations that may lead to environmental pollution, unsustainable use of natural resources, endangering the life and health of citizens. State Organizations Responsible for Environmental Assessment and Management: The State Committee for Nature Protection (Goskompriroda)9 is the primary environmental regulatory 8 Karimov Islam. 1999. “Uzbekistan: Towards 21-st Century�, Report on the 14-th Session of Parliament (Oliy Majlis). 9 In English translations also called ‘State Committee for Nature Conservation’, ‘State Committee for NaturalResources’, ‘Commi ttee of Nature Control’, etc. 21 agency. It reports directly to the Oliy Majlis (Parliament), and is responsible, at central, oblast and raion levels, for coordinating the environmental and natural resources actions of other national government bodies. The mandate of Goskompriroda is based on the Regulation “On the State Environmental Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan� as approved by Parliament on 26 April 1996. Goskompriroda is responsible for environmental and natural systems protection. It oversees the national system of protected areas, can initiate liability/damage actions, and administers an Environmental Fund which receives pollution fees and penalties and supports pollution mitigation measures. There are also several scientific institutes attached to the Goskompriroda which conduct analysis on environmental and natural resources problems and measures to address these in support of Goskompriroda’s work. Goskompriroda also issues permits for pollution discharge emissions and may prohibit projects and construction works that do not comply with (international) legislation. Fees are collected at the regional level for the use of resources, for licenses to discharge polluting material, and for waste disposal. The structure of Goskompriroda takes the form of a central body in Tashkent, with regional (oblast) and local (raion) branches and agencies for scientific and technical support. Regional level organizations have the same structure as those at national level. Different departments take responsibility for environmental standards, environmental law, international relations, environmental funding, economics, publicity, and governmental ecological review. EIA Procedures: State Environmental Expertise (SEE), i.e. preparation of or the review and approval (or rejection) of developments on environmental grounds, is regulated Law on Ecological Expertise (2000) and by Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers No 491.31.12.2001: “On approval of the Regulation of the State Environmental Expertise�. According to Article 3 of the above mentioned law, ecological expertise is carried out in order to determine:  compliance of projected economic and other activities with environmental requirements in the stages preceding decision making on its implementation;  level of ecological danger planned or carried out business and other activities, which may have or had a negative impact on the condition of the environment and public health; and  adequacy and reasonableness of the measures provided for the protection of the environment and rational use of natural resources. The main responsible organization for state environmental review is the Main Directorate for State Ecological Expertise (Glavgosecoexpertiza) of Goskompriroda. The Regulation stipulates 4 categories for development: Category I –Corresponds to World Bank category A; Category II –Corresponds to World Bank category B; 22 Category III –Corresponds to World Bank category B or C; Category IV - Corresponds to World Bank category C. According to Paragraph 11 of the Regulation, evaluation stages of the environmental impact should include the following basic issues (depending on the type and nature of work): a) Draft statement on environmental impacts:  environmental conditions prior to the implementation of the planned activities, population of the territory, land development, analysis of the environment’s features;  situational plan showing existing recreational areas, settlements, irrigation, reclamation facilities, farmland, power lines, transport communications, water, gas pipelines and other information about the area;  envisaged major and minor objects, used technique, technology, natural resources, materials, raw materials, fuel, analysis of their impacts on the environment, environmental hazards of their products;  expected emissions, discharges, wastes, their negative impact on the environment and ways of neutralization;  warehousing, storage and disposal of wastes;  analysis of the alternatives of the proposed or existing activity and technological solutions from the perspective of environmental protection, taking into account the achievements of science, technology and best practices;  organizational, technical, technological solutions and activities, excluding the negative environmental impacts and mitigating the impact of the expertising object on the environment;  analysis of emergency situations (with an estimate of probability and scenario of the prevention of their negative impacts); and  forecast environmental changes and environmental impacts as a result of the implementation of the expertising object. b) Statement on environmental impact:  assessment of environmental problems of the chosen site on the results of engineering- geological investigations, modeling and other necessary researches;  environmental analysis of technology applied to the issues identified on the site;  the results of the public hearings (if necessary); and  reasoned investigations of the nature-conservative measures to prevent the negative consequences of the expertising object. c) Statement on Environmental Consequences:  correction of the design decisions and other taken measures on the consideration of the DSEI by the bodies of Goskompriroda, as well as on the proposals made at the public hearings;  environmental regulations governing the activities of the expertising object; 23  requirements for the organization of work and the implementation of measures for environmental guiding of the operation of the object; and  main conclusions about the possibility of business activities. The Sub-borrower is also responsible for conducting at least one public consultation(s) for category I and II. These responsibilities include: (a) public notification, (b) conducting the consultation and (c) recording the significant findings, conclusions, recommendations and next steps. The purpose of public consultation(s) is (are) to solicit views of groups or individuals who may be affected by the Sub-project regarding their environmental concerns. Affected groups or people should identify the environmental issues they believe to be significant. Public disclosure provides affected groups or individuals the opportunity to examine the draft EMP document before it is finalized so that they can review and provide comments on the mitigating measures agreed upon and the responsibilities for implementing them. Since Uzbek and World Bank consultation and disclosure requirements may differ somewhat, World Bank requirements presented below are the primary ones and have to be followed. 24 4. The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project for which it will provide funding in order to determine the appropriate extent and type of environmental assessments (EA). The Bank classifies a proposed project into one of four categories, depending on the type, location, sensitivity and scale of the project and the nature and magnitude of its potential environmental impacts. The four EA Categories are A, B, C, and FI. Category FI is applied to all proposed projects that involve investment of Bank funds through a participating financial intermediary (PFI) to be used for sub-projects of which the environmental impacts cannot be determined during appraisal of the World Bank project. There are key 10 Environmental and Social World Bank Safeguard Policies which are intended to ensure that potentially adverse environmental and social consequences of projects financed by Bank are identified, minimized and mitigated. World Bank Safeguard Policies have a three-part format: Operational Policies (OP) - statement of policy objectives and operational principles including the roles and obligations of the Borrower and the Bank, Bank Procedures (BP) - mandatory procedures to be followed by the Borrower and the Bank, and Good Practice (GP) - non-mandatory advisory material. World Bank’s Safeguard Policies and their relevance to sub-projects to be funded under the Grant Investment Fund are indicated in the Table 1 below. Table 1. World Bank’s Safeguard Policies and their relevance to investment grant subprojects Yes This Policy aims to ensure that projects proposed for Bank financing are environmentally and socially sound This OP is triggered as the project will support and sustainable; to inform decision makers of the pilot investments in key vulnerable sectors, - nature of environmental and social risks; to increase possibly in the area of re-vegetation and transparency and participation of stakeholders in the restoration of forests and their services, decision-making process community forestry and pasture management for participatory, equitable, and improved use of natural shared resources etc. The exact domains for project financing will be decided during the initial stage of the project design. Although the pilot investments will be limited in scope, they may generate various environmental and social impacts related to: soil degradation; water and air pollution; biodiversity conservation; labor safety issues and health impacts, etc. It is also expected these potential impacts will be mostly temporary by nature and site specific. To address these impacts the participating countries prepared EMFs which specify the rules and procedures for subprojects Environmental Assessment. The EMFs also provide advises for 25 setting up under the component 2 of a regional repository of knowledge and lessons from the region climate-smart agriculture, which might include information materials for training and advice on climate-smart agricultural technologies (e.g., soil, water and crop management for both rainfed and irrigated production systems, livestock and pasture management, global good practices), covering all aspects including production, post-harvest handling and processing, marketing, and financing. The EMFs will be disclosed and consulted in all participating countries. Yes This Policy aims to safeguard natural habitats and their biodiversity; avoid significant conversion or This OP is triggered as the project might support degradation of critical natural habitats, and to ensure investments in key natural areas - possibly sustainability of services and products which natural under the community forest activities. The EMF habitats provide to human society provides relevant advise on what is necessary to be taken into consideration during the subprojects EA to avoid conversion of natural habitats. Yes This Policy is to ensure that forests are managed in a sustainable manner; significant areas of forest are not This OP is triggered as the project might support encroached upon; the rights of communities to use re-vegetation and forest restoration and their traditional forest areas in a sustainable manner are management of forests and their services. The not compromised EMF provides relevant advises what is necessary to be taken into consideration duringthe sub-projects EA. Yes This policy is to ensure pest management activities follow an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) The project will not finance purchase of approach, to minimize environmental and health pesticides but it might generate a need for their hazards due to pesticide use, and to contribute to increased usage, in particular in the case of developing national capacity to implement IPM, and to agriculture activities and forestry nurseries regulate and monitor the distribution and use of development. No separate Pest Management pesticides Plan has been developed, but the EMF includes a section describing measures to ensure compliance with national laws and WB requirements relating to pesticide purchase and use, and to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches and safe pesticide handling and disposal practices to reduce human and environmental exposure. Additionally the EMF includes a list of eligible pesticides in the participating countries and 26 guidance on their use. No. This policy is to ensure that: Physical Cultural Resources (PCR) are identified and protected in World There will be no impact on physical cultural Bank financed projects; national laws governing the resources as all proposed activities will be protection of physical cultural property are complied implemented on existing agricultural lands. with; PCR includes archaeological and historical sites, historic urban areas, sacred sites, graveyards, burial sites, unique natural values; implemented as an element of the Environmental Assessment No. IP – distinct, vulnerable, social and cultural group attached to geographically distinct habitats or historical This Policy is not applicable under the Program territories, with separate culture than the project area, in the Central Asia countries and usually different language. The Policy aims to foster full respect for human rights, economies, and cultures of IP, and to avoid adverse effects on IP during the project development. Yes This policy aims to minimize displacement; treat resettlement as a development program; provide Involuntary Resettlement Policy OP 4.12 is affected people with opportunities for participation; triggered on a precautionary basis and a assist displaced persons in their efforts to improve their Resettlement Policy Framework has been incomes and standards of living, or at least to restore developed for each participating country. them; assist displaced people regardless of legality of tenure; pay compensation for affected assets at replacement cost; the OP Annexes include descriptions of Resettlement Plans and Resettlement Policy Frameworks No. This Policy is to ensure due consideration is given to the safety of dams in projects involving construction of The program will support subprojects related to new dams, or that may be affected by the safety or irrigation and water abstraction from reservoirs. performance of an existing dam or dams under construction; important considerations are dam height & reservoir capacity Yes The Policy aims to ensure that projects will neither affect the efficient utilization and protection of Sub-project investments would be limited to international waterways, nor adversely affect relations rehabilitation or modification of existing minor between the Bank and its Borrowers and between schemes in ways which would not increase the riparian states amount of water abstracted or have any other impact on the water source or local hydrological regime (e.g. replacing conventional irrigation with drip irrigation in an existing irrigation scheme would be still eligible). Creating a new scheme which will lead to increasing water abstraction from the rivers will not be financed under the project. This determination would be 27 made in the screening process. None. The Bank may support a project in a disputed area if governments concerned agree that, pending the Project activities are not to be implemented in settlement of the dispute, the project proposed for one disputed areas. country should go forward without prejudice to the claims of the other country supports decision making by the borrower and Bank by allowing the public access to information on environmental and The EMF will be disclosed and consulted in the social aspects of projects and has specific program countries before project appraisal and requirements for disclosure will be also disclosed in the WB Infoshop. In accordance with the Bank’s safeguard policies and procedures, including OP/BP/GP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, the project is classified as Category B, since its potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas--including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats--are small to moderate in scale. These impacts are site- and activity- specific; few, if any, are irreversible; and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed readily. A Category B environmental assessment examines the project's potential negative and positive environmental impacts and recommends measures to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. As before Appraisal it is not possible to identify which CIGPs will be financed, the appropriate EA instrument is the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) which would specify all rules and procedures for the CIGP sub-projects Environmental Assessment (EIA). The purpose of the Environmental Management Framework is to provide the World Bank’s and the participating governments rules and procedures for project Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA), identify the significant environmental impacts of the project (both positive and negative), to outline rules and procedure for the CIGP sub-projects environmental screening and to specify appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures (including appropriate monitoring plan) to prevent, eliminate or minimize any anticipated adverse impacts on environment. The EMF report was prepared based on the following: (i) analysis of the existing national legal documents, regulations and guidelines; (ii) World Bank safeguard policies, as well as other guiding materials; (iii) existing EMFs for similar World Bank projects, and (iv) experience of EMF implementation of ongoing World Bank funded projects in the CAMP4CA countries. Based on the EMF, each participating country will revise and adjust the EMP to suit their specific needs and conditions. The EMF describes the procedures for the subproject or climate resilience grant/loan environmental assessment, the documentation needed for different types of projects, and the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders to be involved in the EA process. As the CAMP4CA has a community driven approach and capacity (including environmental capacity) at the community level is low, the EMF would also provide environmental knowledge management and training activities for the range of interventions likely under the project, including practical application of the environmental participatory analysis for the subprojects assessment and monitoring of results. Each of the participating countries will adopt and revise this EMF to meet the country’s specific needs, including rules and procedures for environmental screening; guidance for preparing 28 subprojects EIA and/or simple EMPs as well as of EMP Checklist for identified small scale construction and reconstruction activities; possible mitigation measures for different types of sub-projects; requirements for monitoring and supervision of implementing of EIA/EMPs; and specific institutional arrangements for screening, review, approval and monitoring of impacts of activities and preparation of activity specific IEEs and EIAs. The country specific EMFs will also contain a series of measures to raise awareness and educate potential beneficiaries regarding safe pesticide handling and use of Integrated Pest Management and management and monitoring of the EA review and approval process. The EMFs will be integrated into the individual country Project's Operational Manual and will be used as part of all contracts involving proposed activities and selected sub-projects. The Bank is expected to provide a special training to the Safeguards Specialists to be appointed for each participating country, so they can promote compliance with the EMF and EMP. The subproject EMPs will be also integrated into the contracts for approved activities, both into specifications and bills of quantities and the Contractors will be required to include the cost in their financial proposals and bids. The World Bank Safeguard Policy OP 4.09 on Pest Management stipulates that the Bank support a strategy that promotes the use of biological or environmental control methods and reduces reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides, and "in appraising a project that will involve pest management,the Bank assesses the capacity of the country's regulatory framework and institutions to promote and support safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management. The Bank does not finance formulated products that fall in WHO classes IA and IB, or formulations of products in Class II, if (i) the country lacks restrictions on their distribution and use; or (ii) they are likely to be used by, or be accessible to, lay personnel, farmers, or others without training, equipment, and facilities to handle, store, and apply these products properly". Although, the project will not finance pesticides, in some of the project’s potential investments, the use of pesticides may be envisaged to repress weed competition in planted areas, and potentially pesticides to treat or prevent mass pest outbreaks and to protect yields from insects. The grant/loan recipients will prepare a brief annex to attach to their 40 investment proposal, that in prepare with the World Bank’s OP4.09, will include clear justification of allowable pesticide and herbicide products, which: (a) must have negligible adverse human health effects; (b) must be shown to be effective against the target species; (c) must have minimal effect on non-target species and the natural environment; (d) the methods, timing, and frequency of pesticide application are aimed to minimize damage to natural enemies; (e) pesticides must be demonstrated to be safe for land users and animals in the treated areas, as well as for personnel applying them; (f) their use must take into account the need to prevent the development of resistance in pests; (g) the Bank requires that any pesticides be manufactured, packaged, labelled, handled, stored, disposed of, and applied according to standards acceptable to the Bank. The project’s proposed pasture management investments require application of World Bank Safeguard Policy OP 4.04 on Natural Habitats, which are defined as land and water areas where (i) the ecosystems' biological communities are formed largely by native plant and animal species, and (ii) human activity has not essentially modified the area's primary ecological functions. All natural habitats have important biological, social, economic, and existence value. Biodiversity outside of natural habitats (such as within agricultural landscapes) is not covered under this policy. Critical natural habitats are: (i) existing protected areas and areas officially proposed by governments as protected areas (e.g., reserves that meet the criteria of the World Conservation Union [IUCN] classifications), areas initially recognized as protected by traditional local 29 communities (e.g., sacred groves), and sites that maintain conditions vital for the viability of these protected areas (as determined by the environmental assessment process); or (ii) sites identified on supplementary lists prepared by the Bank or an authoritative source determined by the regional sector for environmental protection. Such sites may include areas recognized by traditional local communities; areas with known high suitability for biodiversity conservation; and sites that are critical for rare, vulnerable, migratory, or endangered species. Listings are based on systematic evaluations of such factors as species richness; the degree of endemism, rarity, and vulnerability of component species; representativeness; and integrity of ecosystem processes. In accordance with OP 4.04, the proposed project will support activities aimed at conserving natural habitats and their restoration, and prohibits those which would lead to the significant loss or degradation of any Critical Natural Habitats. The proposed project will not include activities in other (non-critical) natural habitats, where possible significant loss or degradation due to feasible alternatives to achieve the project's substantial overall net benefits need acceptable mitigation measures, such as compensatory protected areas. The project’s proposed re-vegetation, agro-forestry and forest restoration and management of forests and their services require application of World Bank Safeguard Policy OP/BP 4.36 on Forestry to ensure that forests are managed in a sustainable manner; significant areas of forest are not encroached upon; the rights of communities to use their traditional forest areas in a sustainable manner are not compromised. The project will not involve any conversion or degradation of critical forest areas or related critical natural habitats. On the contrary, relevant project activities would include planting of small scale woodlots and fruit tree orchards and improved management of rangelands which may be legally related to forest area but does not have significant tree cover - there would no conversion of land which currently has significant tree cover except for replacement of unproductive fruit trees. All reforestation activities on legally forest lands, including agro-forestry and community forestry activities will be coordinated with responsible departments in the respective countries that oversee the management of forests. Environmental Screening is a mandatory procedure for the Environmental Assessment 4.01 OP/BP. The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project for which it will provide funding in order to determine the appropriate extent and type of the Environmental Assessment to be conducted. The Bank classifies a proposed project into one of four categories, depending on the type, location, sensitivity and scale of the project and the nature and magnitude of its potential environmental impacts10. These four Categories are A, B, C, and FI. projects is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may be sensitive, irreversible, and diverse, with attributes such direct pollutant discharges large enough to cause degradation of air, water, or soil; large-scale physical disturbances of the site and/or surroundings; extraction, consumption, or conversion of substantial amounts of forest and other natural resources; measurable modifications of hydrological cycles; hazardous materials in more than incidental quantities; and 10 See: Environmental Assessment Update Sourcebook, Environmental Department April 1993. 30 involuntary displacement of people and other significant social disturbances. The impacts are likely to be comprehensive, broad, sector-wide, or precedent-setting. Impacts generally result from a major component of the project and affect the area as a whole or an entire sector. They may affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. The EA for a Category A project examines the project's potential negative and positive environmental impacts, compares them with those of feasible alternatives (including the "without project" scenario), and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. For a Category A project, the borrower is responsible for preparing a report, normally a full Environmental Impact Assessment (or a suitably comprehensive regional or sectoral EA). projects has potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas - including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats - which are less adverse than those of Category A projects. These impacts are site- specific; few if any of them are irreversible; and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for Category A projects. The scope of EA for a Category B project may vary from project to project, but it is narrower than that of Category A assessment. Like Category A, a Category B environmental assessment examines the project's potential negative and positive environmental impacts and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. An EIA or environmental analysis is normally not required for Category C projects because the project is unlikely to have adverse impacts; normally, they have negligible or minimal direct disturbances on the physical setting. Professional judgment finds the project to have negligible, insignificant, or minimal environmental impacts. Beyond screening, no further EA action is required. . A Category FI project involves investment of Bank funds through a financial intermediary, in subprojects that may result in adverse environmental impacts. The Bank reviews the findings and recommendations of the EA to determine whether they provide an adequate basis for processing the project for Bank financing. When the borrower has completed or partially completed EA work prior to the Bank's involvement in a project, the Bank reviews the EA to ensure its consistency with this policy. The Bank may, if appropriate, require additional EA work, including public consultation and disclosure. General examples of projects that fall under Categories A, B, and C is provided in the Table 2 below. However, this list is just a good starting point and framework for the screening decision. Because of other factors involved such as project sitting, the nature of impacts, and the need for the EA process to be flexible enough to accommodate them, the lists should not be used as the sole basis for screening. 31 Table 2. Types of projects under the World Bank’s Categories A, B, and C Category B Projects Category A Projects (projects/project components which Category C Projects (projects/project components may have diverse and significant (projects which are unlikely to have which may have diverse and impacts – more limited direct adverse impacts – no EIA is significant impacts – normally environmental assessment is required) require a full EIA) appropriate) Dams and reservoirs; Agro-industries (small scale); Family planning; Forestry production projects; Electrical; transmission; Nutrition; Irrigation, drainage and flood Irrigation and drainage (small scale); control (large scale); Renewable energy; Institutional development; Industrial plants (large scale*) and Rural electrification; Technical assistance; industrial estates, including major Tourism; Rural water supply and Most human resource projects expansion, rehabilitation, or sanitation; modification; Aquaculture and mariculture (large Watershed projects (management or scale); rehabilitation); Land clearance and leveling; Rehabilitation, maintenance, and Mineral development upgrading projects (small-scale); Port and harbor development; Protected areas and biodiversity Reclamation and new land conservation; development; Rehabilitation or modification of Resettlement and all projects with existing industrial facilities (small potentially major impacts on scale); people; Rehabilitation of highways or rural River basin development; roads; Thermal and hydropower Energy efficiency and energy development; conservation Manufacture, transportation, and use of pesticides or other hazardous and/or toxic materials *Large scale here is defined as enterprises with annual sales of US$ 3 million or more equivalent Screening criteria. Conversely, a Category A project might be reclassified as B if a component with significant impacts is dropped or altered. The option to reclassify projects relieves some of the pressure to make the initial decision the correct and final one. Projects in Category B often differ from A projects of the same type only in scale. In fact, large irrigation and drainage projects are usually Category A, however, small-scale projects of the same type may fall into Category B. Projects entailing rehabilitation, maintenance or upgrading rather than new construction will usually be in Category B. A project with any of these characteristics may have impacts, but they are less likely to be “significant�. However, each case must be judged on its own merits. Many rehabilitation, maintenance and upgrading projects as well as privatization projects may require attention to existing environmental problems at the site 32 rather than potential new impacts. Therefore, an environmental audit may be more useful than an impact assessment in fulfilling the EA needs for such projects. The selection of a screening category often depends also substantially on the project setting, while the “significance� of potential impacts is partly a function of the natural and socio -cultural surroundings. There are a number of locations which should cause to consider an “A� classification:  in or near sensitive and valuable ecosystems - wetlands, natural areas, habitat of endangered species;  in or near areas with archaeological and/or historical sites or existing cultural and social institutions;  in densely populated areas, where resettlement may be required or potential pollution impacts and other disturbances may significantly affect communities;  in regions subject to heavy development activities or where there are conflicts in natural resource allocation;  along watercourses, in aquifer recharge areas or in reservoir catchments used for potable water supply; and  on lands and in waters containing valuable natural resources (such as fish, minerals, medicinal plants; agricultural soils). The World Bank’s experience has shown that precise identification of the project’s geographical setting at the screening stage greatly enhances the quality of the screening decision and helps focus the EA on the important environmental issues. Public availability of EIA reports for Category A projects is the prerequisite to Bank financing of these projects. Figure 1 presents the different steps in the project cycle and shows how the various EA phases fit in the project preparation process. The main EA phases concern screening, scoping, EA, and environmental management plan during and after implementation of the project - covering mitigation, monitoring and evaluation. 33 Figure 3.1 EA and the World Bank Project Cycle Project Cycle Environmental Assessment No EA required C Screening Identification Pre-feasibility Study B A Scoping & Public Scoping & Public Con- Consultation sultation (as appropriate) ToR and EA Team ToR and EA Team Feasibility Study Selection Selection Preparation EA Preparation: EA Preparation: - Examine alternatives - Assess impacts; and/or - Assess impacts - Mitigation plan; or Project Planning and - EMP's - Carry out Audit; or Detailed Design - Assess hazards Appraisal Review Environmental Review EA Report & Project Appraisal Section in Appraisal Public Consultation Report Loan Negatiation Negotiation Loan Approval Implementation Monitoring Environmental Quality Project Implementa- tion and Supervision Monitoring Mitigation Measures Implementation Completion Report Evaluate EA Report Evaluation Evaluate Mitigation Plan Performance Audit and OED Evaluation Evaluate Institution Capacity Figure 1. Environmental Assessment and the World Bank project cycle 34 5. Comparison of National Legislation and World Bank Environment Assessment Requirements 5.1 Overview. While the basic provisions of the National EA rules and procedures are to some extent similar to the WB requirements, there are several important differences. These differences are related primarily to the following: (a) project environmental screening categories; (b) Environmental Management Plan; (c) EA disclosure and public consultation; and (d) EA reviewing process. 5.2 Differences in screening categories. As stated above, all projects in Tajikistan are divided into four categories, differing in terms of environmental risks. This classification is different from the World Bank's approach. In particular, it has two project categories (II and III), which correspond to the World Bank's Category B (Category I will always correspond to the World Bank's Category A). In most instances Categories II and III will correspond to the World Bank's Category B, however sometimes, when the respective projects affect critical natural habitats, they may correspond to the Bank's Category A. In general instances, where the World Bank's and national classifications are different, more stringent requirements will apply. This refers mostly in the case of deciding about Category B subprojects - the national EA legislation doesn’t refer to small scale activities, including construction and rehabilitation of various buildings. In these cases the client will apply the WB criteria. 5.3 Differences concerning EMP. While the national legislation requires for all projects with potential environmental impacts relevant mitigation measures, it doesn’t require a special EMP which should specify, along with the proposed mitigation activities a monitoring plan and reporting requirements, institutional arrangements for EMPs implementation as well as doesn’t require needed capacity building activities and necessary expenses in this regard. However, in the case of grant subprojects, an EMP is a mandatory requirement and will be prepared by the borrower to comply with the WB requirements. This includes financing for training local authorities in EMP preparation. 5.5 Differences concerning reviewing and approval of EA studies. As mentioned above, the national EA reviewing process relates to the SEE, while according the WB requirements is a part of the whole EA process. The SEE seeks to examine the compliance of proposed activities and projects with the requirements of environmental legislation. The mentioned laws stipulate the mandatory cross-sectoral nature of SEE, which shall be scientifically justified, comprehensive, and objective and which shall lead to conclusions in accordance with the law. SEE precedes decision-making about activities that may have a negative impact on the environment. Financing of programs and projects is allowed only after a positive SEE finding, or conclusion, has been issued. 5.6 Differences with regard to disclosure and public consultation. Conducted analysis shows there is no harmonization between World Bank and national requirements in this regard. According to national legislation, the EA disclosure and public consultation is mandatory only for Category 1 and this decision is made by local authorities. At the same time, per the SEE law the public might organize at its own initiative a public ecological expertise. Public expertise is being conducting on the basis of NGO’s written request toward local public authority. While 35 organizing such expertise, within seven days, the local public authorities should inform public association about taken decision concerning permission to do so. Public associations conducting ecological expertise are obliged to inform broad local public about beginning of expertise and its results. These associations have the right to obtain planned and project documentation as well as documentation on EIA and get acquainted with normative technical documentation on conducting of the state ecological expertise. The results of public ecological expertise are delivering to the bodies conducting the state ecological expertise and to the bodies which make decision of implementation of activity – the subject of expertise. The results and conclusion of public ecological expertise have recommendation character. The results of public ecological expertise can be published in mass-media, delivered to the local public authority, or other stakeholders. In the case of World Bank policy, the sub-borrower is responsible for conducting at least one public consultation for all Category B projects to discuss the issues to be addressed in the EMP or to discuss the draft EMP itself. The NCU will review any documentation of the public consultation conducted in the preparation of any national EA documentation to determine if it is consistent with the World Bank requirements. If the results of public consultation are satisfactory, there would be no further consultation requirement. However, if no public consultation was conducted or the NCU determines that the public consultation documentation is not adequate, the sub-borrower will be required to perform at least one public consultation to discuss the environmental issues of concern to the locally affected communities and include these issues in the content of the EMP. Documentation for the consultation should be submitted to the NCU as part of the sub-project file. Tajik/Russian language version of the EMP and the record of the public consultation should be located at in public location near the project site and, if available - on the sub-borrower website. Category B sub-projects would be made available to project-affected groups and local NGOs in an easily accessible NCU website. 36 The project will support a series of activities which might cause some adverse environmental impacts that would fall under the Category B subprojects in accordance with the Bank OP/BP 4.01 (small scale agro-industries; small scale rehabilitation, improving pastures and range management; plantation of new orchards and/or vineyards, small scale off-grid renewable, etc.). For such activities the Bank requires a simple and/or a partial Environmental Assessment and/or preparing an Environmental Management Plan. It is also expected that many of supported subprojects will not have environmental impacts and will fall under the Category B in accordance with OP/BP 4.01 (especially those related to purchasing of weather forecasting information). Furthermore, it is expected the selected subprojects will not be located in protected areas, critical habitats or culturally or socially sensitive areas, this will be ensured during the subprojects screening and EA. The potential adverse environmental impacts of proposed types of subprojects might be summarized as follows: (i) : soil erosion, loss of soil productive capacity, soil compaction, soil pollution, surface and underground water pollution, loss of biodiversity; (ii) contribution to surface water pollution, wastes generation, odor; (iii) erosion and soil compaction, surface flows, loss of vegetation diversity (iv) change in physical structure of soil, surface erosion and ravine formation, loss of natural vegetation diversity (v) limited impacts (vi) loss of forest diversity (vii) no impacts reduction of downstream flows, erosion, loss of biological diversity, etc. The activities to be implemented under the project will generate a great number of both direct and indirect positive impacts. Direct positive impacts will be generated by increased production, products and goods which would result in creation of new jobs and respectively, more employment and increased income. Indirect positive impacts will relate to overall improving of business environment, increased production and secured enterprises domestic market position, introduction of advanced technologies and techniques, creating new opportunities for access to local (and foreign) markets, enhancement competitiveness of domestic production and products, contribution to poverty reduction and food safety, and improvement of country’s socio -economic conditions. 37 Cumulative impacts are not likely to be an issue as attention will have to be given to selection of activities based on local environmental conditions. The impacts of activities under the investment grant/loan financing component of the project are expected to be prevented and mitigated through appropriate project design and good operational practices. Cumulative impacts are not likely to be an issue as the proposed activities will be distributed more or less evenly throughout the participating countries. Climate resilience investments to be implemented under the project generate a great number of both direct and indirect positive impacts. Direct positive impacts will be generated by increased agricultural and livestock production, improved water management and renewable energy activities which would result in higher yields, creation of new jobs and respectively, and increased income. Indirect positive impacts will relate to overall improving of agricultural production and business environment, introduction of advanced agricultural technologies and techniques, enhancement competitiveness of domestic production and products, contribution to poverty reduction and food safety, improvement of country’s socio-economic conditions and others. The potential impacts and proposed measures to alleviate such impacts are discussed in Table 2. 38 . Table 2: Impacts and Mitigation of Proposed Project Categories Potential adverse and positive Activity Aspects Mitigation measures impacts I. Improving Use of fertilizers and Adverse Impacts 1. Use of recommended norms of productivity of agrochemicals mineral fertilizers, wider field and (pesticides, herbicides Water and soil pollution can be introduction and adoption of crop horticultural and insecticides), soil caused by improper application rotation. crops by adopting treatment techniques, in quantity and type of organic 2. Pruning of twigs of tree crops and new and etc. and inorganic fertilizers and inter- row cultivation (to reduce appropriate agrochemicals. weeds), use of composting. technologies 3. Use of appropriate procedures for Non-biodegradable transport, mixing, application, and - crop polyethylene sheets can pollute disposal of agrichemicals. diversification, the soil surface. 4. Use only standard doses of - nurseries, agrichemicals (pesticides, - vineyards and Poorly-managed over irrigation herbicides and insecticides orchards, can cause erosion of soil, create permitted by FAO Codex) and - improved seeds, ravines, rise in level of water selection of agrichemicals based - providing of table, salinity flooding and on prevailing soil and weather watering, disruption of communication, conditions. - use of sheets for inflow harmful elements from 5. Storage of agrochemicals in covering of green fertilizers and chemicals in to designated places and use houses, sub soil layers and pollute containers only by recommended - community underground waters. methods strictly following revolving funds. standard procedure and rules. Positive Impacts 6. Use the IPM for control of pests, use biological methods and Rehabilitation and green cover biopesticides. with orchards and vineyards 7. Use recommended methods and Keeping of bio balance and rules for irrigation, properly improvement of landscape. maintain equipment and Improved productivity of land infrastructures. means better management of 8. Use conservation tillage, terraces, soil and water. and raised ridges that follow land contour, to reduce runoff. 9. Selection of seeds with minimal level of pest and disease vulnerabilities. 10. Provide regular information and training to communities on all the aspects of protection of environment. II. Improving on- Digging of trenches Adverse Impacts: 1. Moistening of the surface area and farm irrigation and borrow pits, along providing suitable cover during and water the canals, secondary During the construction the transportation management effect of formation of dust clouds, noise 2. Improve soil moisture retention by - rehabilitation of transportation of and solid waste, accumulation, mulching, organic matter existing canals construction materials and destruction of planted areas incorporation, soil cover, etc. 39 Potential adverse and positive Activity Aspects Mitigation measures impacts - stabilization of 3. Suitable collection and slopes of contour Flow of additional waters from transportation of garbage and solid ditches and the sprinkles wastes irrigation Increased soil erosion leading to 4. Restoration of soil surface and re- - canals repairs ravine formation, subsidence vegetation of banks with shrubs and replacement and erosion of top soil along the and grasses of low powered slopes. 5. Select crops compatible with irrigation pumps water availability - planting shelter Rising of the water table level, 6. Regulated flow diversion and belts flooding of farm areas. maintenance of irrigation - irrigation infrastructure scheduling Possible increase in land 7. Provision of high reliability and - alternate furrow salinization system operation to ensure irrigation optimum use of water Possible downstream impacts 8. The use of low saline quality on water users. water 9. Apply appropriate construction Positive Impacts: guidelines and standards Better control of water flow all 10. Provide farmers trainings in drip year round and similar irrigation techniques Improvement of effective natural resources management, greener landscapes, and improvement of microclimate III. Improving Proper use and Adverse Impacts 1. Strict observance of trampling of pasture and improvement of pasture by livestock rangeland pasture land and soil, Soil erosion is possible before 2. Regulation of livestock in management: reduction of weeds. the establishment of grasses, accordance with the fodder - improving Introduction of small especially on steep slopes. capacity of pasture production of construction works. 3. Selection of ways of incorporation fodders Transportation and Trampling of soil surface may of live green plantations and trees - rising mobility excavation of water cause reduction of grass and on grazing fields of livestock holes, formation of bushes, removing of barks and 4. Construction of storages, sheds, (including repair small field roads, sets. small roads, cause ways of shelters in the bridges, cause ways 5. Creating of special nurseries for selected rayons, at with pipes for animal Reduction of pasture lands and multiplication and supply of points of passages. their contraction, at the planting stocks for erosion control waterholes for construction points. and fences cattle) - pasture rotation Disappearance of bushes used and establishment for fencing, can lead to erosion. of live fences, for example green Positive Impacts: fences - sustainable Reduction of rate of erosion development of pastures Improvement and maintenance of bio-structures of bushes 40 Potential adverse and positive Activity Aspects Mitigation measures impacts Decrease in the loss of productive layer on land, improving of microclimate IV. Sloping land Installation of Adverse Impacts 1. Fast plantation of species, horticulture on minitrenches to especially terraced rows by local the steep lands prevent formation of Change in physical structure of types of plants. - plantations of holes in the soil land use creating ravine 2. For irrigation to use appropriate fruit and nut tree erosion, landslides because of quality of water and the necessary plants on steep natural water course if not quantity. lands along the managed properly before 3. Provide high exploitation contour line vegetating. reliability of irrigation system. - use micro 4. Create good drainage system for terraced fruit Use of salt water may cause removing of surface and gardens (ring- and salinization of soil. underground water. basin shaped and Irrigation can promote further 5. Provide training for sloping land hydrographic sliding of soil and cause horticulture, if necessary. systems) erosion. 6. Strengthen of standards for - gardens with terracing and provide budget on drip/ spot Disappearance of bio maintenance. irrigation, differences on cultivated areas. mulching of land surface Positive Impacts - use of live embankment (live Greening of watersheds with bushes) Planting growing of economically viable of perennial trees/ plants. Grasshedges along the contour Protection of rainfed cultivable lands and more sustainable use of fragile land protected from further degradation. V. Pest and Collection and Adverse Impacts 1. Correct preparation and proper use disease control transportation of of bio pesticides (choose the - biological biological controls Limited adverse impacts suitable varieties of bio-pesticide control and plants, preparing provided depending on pest target and - Integrated biopesticides and choose appropriate formulations) measures for pest solutions. Positive Impacts 2. Provide training as needed on IPM control (with the methods use of bio Ecologically clean and safe pesticides) technology VI. Participatory Planting and Adverse Impacts 1. Training in species selection and forestry and maintenance works management practices agroforestry During soil preparation there 2. Careful selection of species and management could be potential for soil good management of trees and erosion and landslides and crops are needed to optimize the degradation of biodiversity production and positive impacts and to minimize negative impacts Positive Impacts 3. Ensure gender sensitivity and role 41 Potential adverse and positive Activity Aspects Mitigation measures impacts Major potential benefits are of women in such systems identified as soil water erosion reduction, nitrate leaching reduction, carbon sequestration enhancing and landscape diversity improvements VII. Improving Adverse Impacts 1. Training on weather forecasting farmers’ access to and linkage to disease and pest weather None. management, fertilizer and forecasting pesticide application etc. information for Positive Impacts decision-making Improved farmer understanding of relationship between weather conditions on disease and pest conditions can lead to better management of such outbreaks and proper application of pesticides and other disease control chemicals VIII. Alternative Digging of trenches Adverse Impacts 1. Observance of design conditions, off-grid source of and pits, along the during construction and utilization energy and canals, transportation Possible damage to reservoir of the constructed objects effective use of of materials and diversion canals, land 2. Avoid construction of micro-hydro energy supply for Improper site erosion etc. facilities in sensitive aquatic remote selection Possible exposure to accidents habitats communities and burning by helium during 3. Choose run of the river rather than - micro hydro installations. impoundment and dams power stations 4. Moistening of the surface and use - bio-gas utilities Change in seasonal water-flow of suitable cover during - solar energy with potential impacts on transportation - micro Wind downstream water users, fish, 5. Work only during the day time in mills (to harness and aquatic organisms. the dwelling areas wind power) 6. Suitable collection and Water table fluctuations transportation of garbage and solid wastes Noise during operations 7. Restoration of the top spoil and Positive impacts: replanting Support to preservation of 8. Mitigate noise and vibrations forests and biodiversity on during operations account of dependency on cleaner sources of energy Improved environmental situation Reduced indoor air pollution 42 Environmental Management Framework All these impacts are expected to be easily mitigated through good projects design and implementation practices. 7. EIA Guidelines for Investment Sub-Projects The EIA Guidelines for Investment Sub-Projects/Loans section of the EMF would serve as a guiding document for conducting Climate Resilience Investments (referred to as “Investments�) EA. Environmental assessment and monitoring procedures for the Investments are designed to ensure consistency with national environmental requirements as well as World Bank policy. Accordingly, it is proposed that each Investment will be assessed for its environmental impacts. The key steps in the Environmental Assessment process is outlined below: Step 1: Environmental Screening and Project Categorization: Environmental screening (Annex 1 Part 1) will involve a review of the Investments technical proposal. Typically the proposal would include an environmental section11 describing the key environmental features of the project site, whether critical natural habitats, forests, or rare and endangered species are likely to be impacted, whether major water courses or groundwater sources will be affected, the type of natural resource abstraction and use the project will entail, waste materials and polluting substances likely to be generated during construction and operation, whether the project will involve pest management, etc. Depending on the nature and scale of the impacts, the Environment Officer of the NCU12 (and/or participating banks) will inform the project proponents about the decision concerning further environmental documentation required for the sub-project. Three possibilities exist: (i) World Bank environmental category C, or Tajikistan's Category IV, or investments that are not included in any of the categories. No environmental appraisal measures are required for this category, save for a general EIA statement with a list of general and known environment protection measures aimed at ensuring efficient economic activities, (ii) World Bank environmental category B, which usually corresponds to national Category III or, very rarely, Category II. A limited Environmental Impact Assessment and/or a simple management plan (EMP) is required in most cases; and (iii) World Bank environmental category A Proposal, which is considered as ineligible and will be not financed under the project. The participating banks and the NCU will screen applications and assign the environmental category (Annex 1 Part 2). Given the nature of eligible investments, most Investments are likely to fall under Category C, requiring no further action beyond the screening or an EIA Statement. In case questions regarding environmental impact or appropriate category, the NCU Environment Officer will contact the regional reviewing authority for advice and guidance. If an EIA and mitigation measures are needed, the respective documents need to be agreed by the applicant with the regional reviewing authority and the general environmental requirements must be reflected in the Investment Agreement. The results of the environmental screening are recorded in the application and maintained with the participating bank's files. In determining the project category, the banks shall proceed from a land allotment statement issued by the district or city/town environmental inspector (if the project is a new project, in a new location with land allotment). The environmental inspector may and should determine the required type of EIA and necessary documents. In certain cases, where it is difficult to classify a project, environmental inspectors consult the region's ecological expertise bodies. During the screening of the Investments, for Investments classified as Category B, the banks will review the screening documents (and follow-up with a visit to the Investment location, if necessitated) and 11 The project Operational Manual will include the format and content of the environmental section of the community proposals. 12 The arrangement for each country screening and environmental approval process will be determined by the institutional arrangements for project implementation established in the respective country. 43 Environmental Management Framework identify appropriate mitigation measures. If a site visit is necessitated, the bank's officer will complete the field visit check list (Annex 1 Part 4). The applicant will reflect the recommended mitigation measures proposed by the NCU Environment Officer in the application package. When the bank officer's visit or screening reveals a high or significant risk, the Investment applicant will hire a local consultant to conduct an EIA and prepare an EMP. The draft terms of reference for preparation of an EIA is provided in Annex 1 Part 5. The cost of the EIA can be included in the Investment amount. If the projects are of small scale and require simple EMPs (and are not subject of State Ecological Expertise of the State Committees for Environmental Protection) then the banks will review and approve the EMPs or simple EIAs (Annex 1; Part 3). In cases, when possible significant adverse impacts are discovered during the Field Site Visit or Environmental Screening, the Environmental Screening and Field Site Visit Checklists are submitted to the regional ecological expertise departments, which issue a preliminary environmental statement listing potential environmental concerns and mitigation measures and determines whether technical expertise is required, either from the national competent authority or other source. If permits from ecological expertise authorities are needed, these are to be obtained by the Investment applicant and submitted to the bank with the Investment proposal. The ecological expertise authority will then issue its approval, if required. Only after the banks receive official approval from ecological expertise authorities for Investments that have significant adverse impacts, will the Investment be considered eligible for financial support under the project. During the project implementation, the participating banks (and/or district environmental inspectors) should ensure that the environmental mitigation measures are implemented. In the case of non-compliance, the banks (and/or district environmental inspectors) as needed will investigate the nature and reason(s) for non-compliance, and a decision is taken about what is needed to bring an Investment into compliance, or whether financing should be suspended. Sub-project Categories: Investments assessed as Category A, (high environmental risks). The project will not finance any Category A Investments. In general cases, as stated above, this category will include all projects included in national Category I. However, it may also include some Category II projects that can generate significant impacts or be implemented in critical natural habitats. To solve this issue, it should be taken into account that the following investments should be considered as having “significant� impacts and respectively should be qualified as Category A projects: (a) significantly affect human populations or alter environmentally important areas, including wetlands, native forests, grasslands, and other major natural habitats; (b) “significant� potential impacts might be also considered the following: direct pollutant discharges that are large enough to cause significant degradation of air, water or soil; (c) large-scale physical disturbance of the site and/or surroundings; (c) extraction, consumption, or conversion of substantial amounts of forest and other natural resources; (d) measurable modification of hydrologic cycle; (e) hazardous materials in more than incidental quantities; (f) and significant involuntary displacement of people and other significant social disturbances. It is expected that the Investments will not fall into the above mentioned circumstances and therefore will not have significant environmental impacts. In the case a Investment that is presented for financing falls under a Category A project, it will be rejected. 44 Environmental Management Framework To determine a project category, its location should also be considered. There are a number of locations which should be considered while deciding to qualify the project as Category A: (a) in or near sensitive and valuable ecosystems — wetlands, wild lands, and habitat of endangered species; (b) in or near areas with archaeological and/or historical sites or existing cultural and social institutions; (c) in densely populated areas, where resettlement may be required or potential pollution impact and other disturbances may significantly affect communities; (d) in regions subject to heavy development activities or where there are conflicts in natural resource allocation; along watercourses, in aquifer recharge areas or in reservoir catchments used for potable water supply; and on lands or waters containing valuable resources (such as fisheries, minerals, medicinal plants, prime agricultural soils); and (e) in or near areas with a history of industrial activity that utilizes or generates hazardous materials (i.e. potential significant legacy pollution issues). Similarly as above, the project will not support any Investments located in the proximity of mentioned areas. Investments assessed as Category B, (moderate environmental risks) require Secondary Screening during appraisal, and simple mitigation and monitoring arrangements plans. Annex 2 provides examples of Category A, B and C sub-projects. Based on the results of the screening and project categorization, if a project is classifed as Category B project, the environmental requirements would be one of the following: (a) simple Environmental Management Plan Checklists for projects with minor impacts, particularly those that are typical for different small scale agricultural and horticultural activities and on-farm management and small scale construction and rehabilitation Investments13; (b) simple EA and EMP for investment projects which are located in areas near natural habitats or larger scale agriculture and horticulture, pasture management investments, as well as participatory forestry and agro-forestry investments; and (c) regular EIA and EMP, for more complex projects, including off-grid renewable micro-hydro and similar investments14. The first two category B Investments for each country will be subject to prior review and then post review by the World Bank. Step 2: Conducting the EIA and Preparation of EMP: In those cases where such documentation is required, the project proponents (or involved consultants, acting on their behalf) will prepare the relevant documents for submission within the time indicated by the reviewing authority. The format of a typical EMP is provided in Annex 1 Part 5. Depending on the project’s environmental impacts and its category, the environmental documentation could either be presented as an EIA section of the overall project documents for Category II and III projects, or as an EIA statement for Category IV (WB's Category C) . Step 3: Environmental Approval and Disclosure of EIA and EMP. If the projects are of small scale and require simple EMPs (and are not subject of State Ecological Expertise) then the participating banks will review and approve the EMPs or simple EIAs (Annex 1; Part 3). In cases, when possible significant adverse impacts are likely (based on the determination made by the State Ecological Expertise) then the State Ecological Expertise reviews and approves the EIA and EMP. If approval of the SEE is needed, these are to be obtained by the Investment applicant and submitted with the Investment proposal. Only after the participating bank receives official approval from SEE for Investment proposals that have significant adverse impacts, will the Investment be considered eligible for financial support under the project. When approving such projects, the banks will specifically look that the EMP includes monitoring arrangements for the 13 A number of such control lists with typical mitigation measures for different types of grant investments were prepared within the World Bank's cotton sector recovery project in Tajikistan and can be used for this project. 14 Such projects will be financed only within a sub-program for Kazakhstan. 45 Environmental Management Framework proposed mitigation measures and ensures that the costs of environmental management are accounted for in the project costs. In case of Category B Investments which involve new constructions, pasture improvement activities and/or alternative energy activities it is necessary to disclose the EIA/EMP document and to conduct public consultations with key stakeholders, including local population. This should be ensured by sub-project beneficiaries. The purpose of the public consultation is to inform locally affected groups about the Investment activities and offer them the opportunity to voice their views of any adverse environmental issues they feel may develop during subproject implementation. Any legitimate issue raised at the public consultation should be included in the EMP. In this way, the concerns of the people will be taken into consideration and reflected in the Investment implementation. In the case of rehabilitation of existing facilities, although there might be no need for a special public hearing the project beneficiary should provide information to all interested parties about the construction by installing a notice plate placed at the rehabilitation. Additionally all Investments specific information will be also publicly available on-line on the NCU website. Documentation of the public consultation outcome is critical and is included in the EMP. Such documentation should contain the (i) date and location of the consultations; (ii) list of individuals consulted; (iii) key issues raised during the consultations; and (iv) the manner in which project design address such issues raised. Overall, the opening of EIA documents will be conducted by khukumats, which should arrange, together with investment beneficiaries, public consultations with the local population. Step 4: Supervision, Monitoring and Reporting: Once project implementation starts, the participating banks (and/or environmental inspectors) will supervise the implementation of the EMP through the course of project fulfilment and specify corrective measures as necessary. The reporting of progress of implementation of the EMP would be the responsibility of the investment recipients and such reports would be submitted to the participating banks and/or the SEE authority, as relevant bi-annually. Monitoring reports during project implementation would provide information about key environmental aspects of the project activities, particularly on the environmental impacts and effectiveness of mitigation measures. Such information enables the client and the Bank to evaluate the success of mitigation as part of project supervision, and allows corrective action to be taken when needed. The EMF identifies monitoring objectives and specifies the type of monitoring, with linkages to the impacts assessed in the EA report and the mitigation measures described in the EMF. Specifically, the monitoring section of the Investment EMPs would provide: (a) details, of monitoring measures, including the parameters to be measured, methods to be used, sampling locations, frequency of measurements; and, (b) monitoring and reporting procedures to (i) ensure early detection of conditions that necessitate particular mitigation measures, and (ii) furnish information on the progress and results of mitigation. The banks will present short information about the EMF implementation and Investments environmental performances as part of the Progress Reports to be presented to the NCU by the client on a semi-annual basis. 46 Environmental Management Framework 8. Integrated Pest Management While, the project will not fund the use of pesticides and other chemicals, it is likely that investment recipients in agriculture, rangeland and horticulture activities would use pesticides. The issues of pest management can be potentially raised by the project may relate to possible indirect effect of stimulating greater use of agro-chemicals associated with more intensive cultivation and/or higher crop value. The objective of EMF in this regard is to encourage adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and increase beneficiaries’ awareness of pesticide-related hazards and good practices for safe pesticides use and handling as well as to provide relevant training and information dissemination activities. Principles of the Integrated Pest Management15 The primary aim of pest management is to manage pests and diseases that may negatively affect production of crops so that they remain at a level that is under an economically damaging threshold. Pesticides should be managed to reduce human exposure and health hazards, to avoid their migration into off-site land or water environments and to avoid ecological impacts such as destruction of beneficial species and the development of pesticide resistance. One important strategy is to promote and facilitate the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through preparation and implementation of an Integrated Pest Management Plan (PMP). Integrated Pest Management consists of the judicious use of both chemical and nonchemical control techniques to achieve effective and economically efficient pest management with minimal environmental contamination. IPM therefore may include the use of: a) Mechanical and physical control; b) Cultural control; c) Biological control, and d) Rational chemical control. Integrated Pest Management is the use of multiple techniques to prevent or suppress pests in a given situation. Although IPM emphasizes the use of nonchemical strategies, chemical control may be an option used in conjunction with other methods. Integrated pest management strategies depend on surveillance to establish the need for control and to monitor the effectiveness of management efforts. World Bank Group in the Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines prepared in 2007 provides the following stages should be considered when designing and implementing an Integrated Pest Management Strategy, giving preference to alternative pest management strategies, with the use of synthetic chemical pesticides as a last option. As a first essential step, those who make pest management decisions should be provided with training in identification of pests and beneficial (e.g. natural enemy) species, identification of weeds, and field scouting methods to evaluate which pests are present and whether they have reached an economic control threshold (the density at which they begin to cause economically significant losses). The World Bank refers to IPM as a mix of farmer-driven, ecologically based pest control practices that seek to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. It involves (a) managing pests (keeping them below economically damaging levels) rather than seeking to eradicate them; (b) relying, to the extent possible, on non-chemical measures to keep pest populations low; and 15 This section is based on the World Bank Group in the Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines prepared in 2007. 47 Environmental Management Framework (c) selecting and applying pesticides, when they have to be used, in a way that minimizes adverse effects on beneficial organisms, humans, and the environment. In general, IPM combines the following measures: pest monitoring (e.g., pest detection, pest population build-up monitoring to apply economic thresholds for pesticide application) and prediction based models (eg., degree-day calculations, software solutions), cultural methods (e.g., resistant varieties, crop rotation, cultivation of alternate hosts, selection of planting sites, crop specific traps, adjusting the timing of planting or harvest, crop residue destruction or incorporation, pruning), mechanical methods (collection, hand weeding, barrier exclusion, trapping), physical methods (e.g., heat, cold, humidity, traps, sound), and biological methods (e.g., introduction of imported natural enemies and protection of indigenous natural pest enemies, dissemination and establishment of microbial control agents). IPM can also include the use of natural chemical methods (e.g., attractants, repellents, sterilants and growth inhibitors), plant extracts (e.g., neem oil extracts, pyrethrum extracts from Chrysanthemum flowers), genetic methods (e.g., release of sterile or genetically incompatible pests that disrupt natural mating), and regulatory means (e.g., plant and animal quarantines, suppression and eradication programs). These measures must allow the safe integration of pesticides as the last control resort within farmers’ traditional cropping and pest management systems. Pesticide resistance management strategies include minimizing pesticide use, shunning tank mixes, avoiding persistent chemicals, and using long-term rotations of pesticides. These should involve alternating among pesticide classes with different modes of action to delay or mitigate onset of the existing resistance by pests. Alternatives to pesticide application Where feasible, an effective IPM strategy will attempt to use alternatives to pesticides. This might include a range of biological, mechanical and physical, and cultural alternatives or approaches. It might also involve a more rational use of chemicals, when it is appropriate or as a last resort. Some possible considerations of alternatives to pesticide use are:  Rotate crops to reduce the presence of pests and weeds in the soil ecosystem;  Use pest-resistant crop varieties;  Use mechanical weed control and/or thermal weeding;  Support and use beneficial organisms, such as insects, birds, mites, and microbial agents, to perform biological control of pests;  Protect natural enemies of pests by providing a favorable habitat, such as bushes for nesting sites and other original vegetation that can house pest predators and by avoiding the use of broad-spectrum pesticides;  Use animals to graze areas and manage plant coverage;  Use mechanical controls such as manual removal, traps, barriers, light, and sound to kill, relocate, or repel pests. Conservation of Pollinators. Pollinators provide an essential ecosystem service, namely pollination. While, approximately 80 percent of all flowering plant species are pollinated by animals, including vertebrates and mammals, the main pollinators are insects. Maintaining and increasing yields in horticultural crops, seeds and pastures through better conservation and management of pollinators is critically important to obtain better farm incomes for horticulture farmers. The main threats to losing pollinators’ services stem from the following driving forces:  Habitats required by many pollinators are being lost through changing land-use patterns such as increasing agricultural intensification. Pollinators require a range of resources 48 Environmental Management Framework from their environment for foraging, nesting, reproduction and shelter. The loss of any one of these requirements can cause pollinators to become locally extinct.  Excessive use or inappropriate application of pesticides and other agro-chemicals is known to have negative impacts on a range of pollinators.  Climate change may potentially be one of the most severe threats to pollinator biodiversity. Substantial distribution changes are predicted for groups such as butterflies.  Invasive species are globally recognized to have major negative impacts across a wide range of taxa. In order to protect the decline in populations of pollinators, horticulture farmers will be advised to take measures for pollinator conservation that are directly linked to their farming practices. Practices that promote high diversity on-farm, and can form the basis for a more sustainable path of horticulture growth. The deliberate conservation of pollinators – and its synergy with integrated pest control – offers ways to maintain yields while reducing purchased inputs. Many of the measures that promote pollinators can also promote other ecosystem services such as soil improvement by cover cropping, increasing the abundance of diverse soil functional groups; habitat management of natural enemies for pest management; breaking cycles of damaging pests through greater crop diversity, or erosion control through contour plantings and hedgerows. However, the knowledge base for promoting such pollinator-friendly practices into farming systems is very scarce, and the project will support improved knowledge networks that can promote the exchange of such information across regions and crops. Pesticide application In the event the use of pesticides is warranted, as a last resort option, users are recommended to take the specific actions to ensure a more safe and sound application of pesticides, a more rational use of chemicals, as well as to reduce and control any potential negative impacts on health and safety, and damage to the environment. If pesticide application is warranted, users are recommended take the following actions:  Train personnel to apply pesticides and ensure that personnel have received applicable certifications or equivalent training where such certifications are not required;  Review and follow the manufacturer’s directions on maximum recommended dosage or treatment as well as published reports on using the reduced rate of pesticide application without loss of effect, and apply the minimum effective dose;  Avoid routine “calendar-based� application, and apply pesticides only when needed and useful based on criteria such as field observations, weather data (e.g., appropriate temperature, low wind, etc.);  Avoid the use of highly hazardous pesticides, particularly by uncertified, untrained or inadequately equipped users. This includes: o Pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Classes 1a and 1b should be avoided in almost all cases, to be used only when no practical alternatives are available and where the handling and use of the products will be done in accordance with national laws by certified personnel in conjunction with health and environmental exposure monitoring; o Pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Class II should be avoided if the project host country lacks restrictions on distribution and use of these chemicals, or if they are likely to be accessible to personnel without proper training, equipment, and facilities to handle, store, apply, and dispose of these products properly; 49 Environmental Management Framework  Avoid the use of pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Stockholm Convention, except under the conditions noted in the convention and those subject to international bans or phase-outs;  Use only pesticides that are manufactured under license and registered and approved by the appropriate authority and in accordance with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides;  Use only pesticides that are labeled in accordance with international standards and norms, such as the FAO’s Revised Guidelines for Good Labeling Practice for Pesticides;  Select application technologies and practices designed to reduce unintentional drift or runoff only as indicated in an IPM program, and under controlled conditions;  Maintain and calibrate pesticide application equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Use application equipment that is registered in the country of use;  Establish untreated buffer zones or strips along water sources, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and ditches to help protect water resources;  Avoid use of pesticides that have been linked to localized environmental problems and threats. Pesticide handling and storage Contamination of soils, groundwater, or surface water resources, due to accidental spills during transfer, mixing, and storage of pesticides should be prevented by following the hazardous materials storage and handling recommendations. These are the following:  Store pesticides in their original packaging, in a dedicated, dry, cool, frost-free, and well aerated location that can be locked and properly identified with signs, with access limited to authorized people. No human or animal food may be stored in this location. The store room should also be designed with spill containment measures and sited in consideration of potential for contamination of soil and water resources;  Mixing and transfer of pesticides should be undertaken by trained personnel in ventilated and well lit areas, using containers designed and dedicated for this purpose;  Containers should not be used for any other purpose (e.g. drinking water). Contaminated containers should be handled as hazardous waste, and should be disposed in specially designated for hazardous wastes sites. Ideally, disposal of containers contaminated with pesticides should be done in a manner consistent with FAO guidelines and with manufacturer's directions;  Purchase and store no more pesticide than needed and rotate stock using a “first-in, first- out� principle so that pesticides do not become obsolete. Additionally, the use of obsolete pesticides should be avoided under all circumstances; A management plan that includes measures for the containment, storage and ultimate destruction of all obsolete stocks should be prepared in accordance to guidelines by FAO and consistent with country commitments under the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel Conventions;  Collect rinse water from equipment cleaning for reuse (such as for the dilution of identical pesticides to concentrations used for application);  Ensure that protective clothing worn during pesticide application is either cleaned or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner;  Maintain records of pesticide use and effectiveness. 50 Environmental Management Framework Pesticide Disposal Excess pesticides that are still usable and not deteriorated in quality should be disposed according to directions on the label. If it cannot be used, some manufacturing companies will accept the pesticide for reprocessing. If the above options are not available, check with the local solid waste management authority, environment or health agency whether there are options available for the disposal of the unwanted chemicals. Pesticide containers also pose an environment problem if they are not carefully disposed or cleaned. Some recommendations for disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers are provided in Table 5. Health and Safety Issues By definition, pesticides are poisons, but the toxicity and hazards of different pesticide compounds vary greatly and might be different from organism to organism. Pesticide hazard depends not only on the toxicity, but also on the chance of exposure to toxic amounts of the pesticide. Pesticides can enter the body through oral ingestion, through skin, or through inhalation. There are a number of safety precautions that should be taken when manufacturing, transport, application, storage and handling of pesticides (refer Table 5). Typical hazards associated with chemical use and remedial measures: Similarly as in the case of the usage of pesticides, fertilizer usage may provide important benefits to horticulture development, but they also pose certain risks associated with accidental exposure of environment and of farmers during their inappropriate handling and usage. To ensure minimization of hazards associated with inappropriate handling, storage and usage of mineral fertilizers, a number of measures can be employed. Table 3 provides information about typical hazard scenarios that that may arise in conjunction with the procurement, handling and storage of pesticides/fertilizers as well as the recommended measures to control the potential risks. Table 3. Pesticide/Fertilizer Control Strategy Likely Hazard Recommended Control Strategy Scenario Spillage Ensure all storage areas and/or facilities are secure and appropriate. Ensure all fertilizer products can be contained within the storage area and/or facility selected Provide appropriate equipment and materials to clean up a spillage Transportation and Cover any loads of fertilizer products whilst in transit delivery of goods Ensure that deliveries of fertilizer products are made at appropriate times Do not accept any containers of fertilizer products that are damaged and/or leaking. Ensure that any spillages that occur during delivery are cleaned up appropriately. Drift of dust from  Keep fertilizer products covered and/or sealed storage areas and/or  Clean up spillages promptly facilities  Keep “in use� stocks to the minimum required  Staff responsible for storage areas and/or facilities to will ensure that the drift of dust beyond the perimeter is kept to a minimum. Storage areas - Floors Keep floor surfaces swept clean of fertilizer to prevent tracking by people and/or vehicles beyond the perimeter. Sweep up and dispose of spillages in a timely and appropriate manner 51 Environmental Management Framework Likely Hazard Recommended Control Strategy Scenario Cross contamination Keep each fertilizer product will in a separate storage container and/or position of product within the facility and/or area.  Confusion of Product Maintain an accurate storage manifest/register.  Keep products and blends are segregated at all times. Ensure all storage bays and bins are clearly labelled. Ensure all storage, loading and blending plant and equipment is cleaned from all residues when changing from one product to another. Do not store product in bags that are not correctly stamped Occupational Health Contact between fertilizer products, people and livestock will be minimized. and Safety Risk Assessments Risk Assessments are required to be conducted on the procurement, storage and handling of fertilizer products. Contact with people Managers will develop, implement and monitor the effectiveness of hazard and livestock management procedures All persons using fertilizer products are to adhere to the hazard management procedures and adopt safe working practice and ensure that direct contact with fertilizer and the inhalation of fertilizer dust is minimized. Managers are to ensure that staff is made aware of any national and industry regulations which have to be observed. Personal Protective Staff must be provided with appropriate PPE when using fertilizer products. Equipment Lack of appropriate Managers must ensure that appropriate safety warning signs and/or warning safety information is displayed/ available regarding nature of hazards and risk control signage and measures. information Poor housekeeping All staff is responsible for implementing sound housekeeping practices in and/or routine storage areas and arranging regular routine maintenance for all equipment maintenance used. Defective &/or  Conduct regular inspection & testing of equipment and infrastructure to unserviceable plant & identify what maintenance requirements equipment Incorrect or Fertilizer blends to be prepared using the right raw materials in the appropriate inappropriate proportions. All products will be loaded into spreaders etc. in the right mixtures of product condition to the right weight. No training Staff will undertake appropriate training. Lack of appropriate All relevant records and documentation to be kept and maintained egg. training records &/or records, risk assessments, maintenance schedules, recipes for fertilizer blends, documentation MSDS’s etc. Pest Management Plan The entity which will be dealing with pest management within the projects to be supported under the project has to be guided by the Pest Management Plan (PMP). The content of the PMP should apply to all the activities and individuals working. It should be emphasized also that nonchemical control efforts will be used to the maximum extent possible before pesticides are used. The Pest Management Plan should be a framework through which pest management is defined and accomplished. The Plan should identify elements of the program to include health and environmental safety, pest identification, and pest management, as well as pesticide storage, transportation, use and disposal. Management plan is to be used as a tool to reduce reliance on 52 Environmental Management Framework pesticides, to enhance environmental protection, and to maximize the use of integrated pest management techniques. The PMP shall contain pest management requirements, outlines the resources necessary for surveillance and control, and describes the administrative, safety and environmental requirements. The Plan should provide guidance for operating and maintaining an effective pest management program/ activities. Pests considering in the Plan may be weeds and other unwanted vegetation, crawling insects and other vertebrate pests. Without control, these pests provoke plants’ deceases. Adherence to the Plan will ensure effective, economical and environmentally acceptable pest management and will maintain compliance with pertinent laws and regulations. The recommended structure of a Pest Management Plan is presented in the Annex 1 Part 6. Pest Management Operational Plan: The objective of the Pest Management in the project is to promote environmentally friendly (hygienic, cultural, and biological or natural) control mechanisms and the judicious use of chemicals in pest control and effectively monitor pesticide use. Implementation of pest management activities under the Project would entail education, training and communication that is defined in a Pest Management Operational Plan. The pest management operational plan defines a broad menu of options for managing and monitoring pest control and pesticide usage under the project. The NCUs will be responsible for communicating the content of the Pest Management Operational Plan to farmers and Grant Investment recipients. It would establish channels of on-going communication with farmer associations, organize orientation workshops and training on IPM techniques as well as the pest management operational plan requirements, which will be at the forefront in terms of use of pesticides and are likely to be exposed to its various and gradual risk. The NCUs will create awareness among project farmers of the importance of pest and pesticide management in the framework of this Pest Management Operational Plan and avenues created or available for obtaining appropriate pesticides among other things. Each country will prepare a Pest Operational Plan (based on the outline of a Pest Operational Plan provided in Table 4). The plan will also ensure that all farmers have access to information on relevant crop pests and diseases, potential IPM strategies regarding pest control, current list of registered and banned pesticides and information kits would be developed (in local understood languages) on methods for safe use, handling, storage and disposal of pesticides and the consequent environmental and health related impacts of improper use of these pesticides. Table 4: Pest Management Operational Plan Impact Responsibi issue/pest and Desirable Potential Indicative Indicative lity/ Key pesticide mitigation implementation expected monitoring implement threat and measures tools result indicators ing actors risk Pollution of Control, manage Awareness of Farmers Number of water and supervise proper applicationtrained in farmers trained, resources and pesticide use by and disposal of sound Training records aquatic life farmers pesticides and application and oversight disposal methods Proper disposal Pesticide Pesticide Number of of pesticide container container farmers/ resellers containers by collection and disposal plan aware of pesticide resellers/farmers disposal being container disposal plan/arrangements implemented needs 53 Environmental Management Framework Impact Responsibi issue/pest and Desirable Potential Indicative Indicative lity/ Key pesticide mitigation implementation expected monitoring implement threat and measures tools result indicators ing actors risk in place by by farmer farmers Improper use Educate farmers Pesticide hazards Proper use of Number of cases of pesticides and farm and use guide pesticides by of pesticide by farmers and workers on leaflet for the farmers and poisoning farm workers proper use of project (include farm workers occurring under pesticides and simple pictorial the project pesticide use presentations) hazards Control and Awareness of Farmers Number of supervision of proper application trained in farmers trained, pesticide use on and disposal of application and Training records farms by pesticides and disposal of farmers oversight pesticides Poisoning Educate Pesticide hazards Farmers, farm Number of cases from improper farmers, farm and use guide workers, local of pesticide disposal of workers and leaflet for the communities poisoning pesticide local project educated on through use of containers communities on pesticide use pesticide health hazards containers; associated with use of pesticide Number of containers farmers returning empty pesticide Properly dispose Pesticide Pesticide containers at pesticide container disposal container collection points; containers procedures known cleaning and by farmers disposal being Number of properly farmers, resellers implemented trained in proper cleaning of pesticide containers Impact on post Framers have Post-harvest loss Post- harvest Number of harvest losses adequate and reduction based losses avoided farmers trained in due to pests proper storage on IPM or minimized IPM techniques facilities techniques under for postharvest implementation Applied storage; pesticides registered in Number and conformity condition of with IPM storage facilities principles in use Farmers monitor Post-harvest loss Number of cases incidence of reduction plan of postharvest post- harvest based on IPM pests pests techniques in place Confirm status Inspection of Records of and integrity of pesticides at pesticides applied pesticides at farm/storage gate kept by farmers storage gate prior to use on 54 Environmental Management Framework Impact Responsibi issue/pest and Desirable Potential Indicative Indicative lity/ Key pesticide mitigation implementation expected monitoring implement threat and measures tools result indicators ing actors risk prior to use random basis Abuses in Ensure status All pesticides Only approved List of pesticides pesticide use and integrity of kept in the and registered used in line with pesticides original well pesticides used Uzbekistan list of purchased and labeled pesticide under project registered and used under containers prior to approved project use Banned pesticides pesticides No decanting of avoided Cases of pesticides under pesticides found this project by Expired in non-original farmers pesticides pesticides avoided / Random Integrity of Inspection inspection of at pesticide records for farm gate prior to guaranteed at pesticides at farm use farm gate level gate prior to use containers General health Farmers IPM techniques Compliance Number of and safety of educated to with emphasis on with best Pest/ farmers trained in farmers/crops adopt Good cultural and pesticide IPM techniques; and Agricultural biological forms management environmental Practices (GAP) of pest control Number of hazards based upon IPM farmers techniques; and implementing do not use IPM on their chemical farms pesticides unless advised by Frequency of Government chemical regulations pesticides usage Provide PPEs to Health and safety Farmers and Quantities and Farmers/ farm policy for farm accompanying types of PPEs are using personal work dependents easily available protection (children) under the project equipment protected (PPE) against pesticide exposure in the fields Educate Pesticide hazards Farmers know Number of farmers/ farm and use leaflet for and use farmers trained in workers in the the project pesticides pesticide use; proper use of (include simple properly; pesticides pictorial pesticide Number of presentations) hazards and farmers having use guide copies of the leaflet or flyers pesticide hazard produced and use guide flyers; Train farmers to Obsolete and Obsolete and Relationship 55 Environmental Management Framework Impact Responsibi issue/pest and Desirable Potential Indicative Indicative lity/ Key pesticide mitigation implementation expected monitoring implement threat and measures tools result indicators ing actors risk properly dispose unused pesticide unused between pesticide obsolete and disposal pesticide supply and usage unused arrangements disposal pesticides made by farmer arrangements implemented by farmer Educate farmers Pesticide use Only pesticides Relationship to obtain or farmer plan needed are between pesticide purchase purchased; supply and usage quantities of long term pesticides storage of required at a pesticides by given time and farmers to avoid long avoided term storage of pesticides Farmers trained Framer Pesticide Number of and aware of emergency accidents and pesticide emergency response plan in emergencies accidents and response to place managed under emergencies pesticide the project accidents and poisoning 56 Environmental Management Framework 9. EMF Institutional Arrangements and Capacity Building National Coordination Units, in each participating country, operating under the supervision of the national focal point and TWG (technical working group), will be responsible for ensuring awareness raising and outreach of investment opportunities, providing training for investment proposal preparation, screening proposals, submitting investment proposals to the Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia (CCSCA), based on TWG and focal point recommendations, monitoring investment implementation, and ensuring compliance with Bank safeguards. The NCUs will receive capacity building in environmental management. It will be responsible for performance in planning and implementing measures necessary to address safeguard policy issues to the satisfaction of the Bank. The NCUs Environmental Officer would be overall responsible for projects safeguards issues.16 Major Responsibilities of the NCU The NCUs will ensure that the project activities are being assessed from environmental point of view and that the EMPs are adequately implemented. In this regard this body will be responsible for: (b) coordination of environmental and EA related issues; (c) monitoring of the environmental impacts within the overall monitoring of the Investments implementation; (d) communication with the national EIA competent authority; and (e) ensuring the links between an EIA and Investments i.e. to support the proper implementation of the conditions given by an EIA within the Investments realization. Key responsibilities of participating banks The participating banks will play a decisive role in EMF implementation and will be responsible for ensuring environmental assessment for any investment subproject. They will be involved in the EIA process from subproject screening to implementation. They will screen subprojects and determine their category, as well as the type of documents the investment beneficiaries will need to prepare. Then they will need to study all environmental documents submitted by beneficiaries and make a decision on project financing. They will also monitor EMP performance and, if they find out that the respective beneficiary fails to perform the prescribed environment protection measures, they will have the right to cancel project financing. EIA documents for the first three Category B subprojects will be submitted to the World Bank for preliminary approval. When assessing subprojects, the banks will need to ensure that they comply with Uzbekistan and the World Bank's environmental requirements, as well as this document. The banks will keep all environmental assessment documents in their files and provide them as requested by the NCU or the World Bank. In particular the banks will conduct the following: (a) Investment environmental screening; (b) carry out the evaluation of the Investment’s eligibility from the environmental point of view; (c) provide necessary information on the environmental issues to the Investments applicants (especially inform them about the environmental criteria to be used, explain all obligations regarding the EIA procedure etc.); 16 The draft terms of references for this officer are provided in Annex 3. 57 Environmental Management Framework (d) supervising independently or jointly with the National Environmental Agencies the mitigation and environmental protection measures stipulated in Environmental Management Plans. Capacity Building Training for the NCU Safeguard Specialists: In order to ensure successful implementation of the EMF requirements it is necessary to provide a series of capacity building activities. In particular, it is proposed that prior to commencement of the investment grant program, the Climate Change Secretariat for Central Asia under ICSD would organize environmental safeguard training for all participating countries to ensure that the respective country environmental safeguard specialists are trained and capable of managing the environmental safeguard review and approval process for the investment programs. The conduct of the regional training would be contracted to a selected environmental NGO or a design institute with EA experience. The regional EIA training will broadly consists of the following topics: (i) Concept of EIA with relation to sustainable development framework; (ii) theory and practice of EIA; (iii) purpose benefits and justification of EIA in the context of development; (iv) EIA in project cycle; (v) introduction to EIA process, including screening, scoping, preparation of TORs and work plans, EIA study and reporting; impact analysis and prediction, etc.; (vi) EIA review process and decision making process; (vii) post EIA monitoring, supervision and reporting, etc. The contract for the training will also include the preparation of an Environmental Impact Training Resource Manual that could be used by the respective NCU environmental safeguard specialists for in-country training. Subsequently, in-country training would be carried out the individual NCU environmental safeguard specialists. Depending on the specific implementation arrangements instituted at each country, training on safeguards could be extended to regional or sector staff, as appropriate. Training for participating banks. To avoid duplication with similar projects in Tajikistan, it was decided that the investment program would be implemented using the scheme approved for another World Bank's activity, the Horticulture Development Project. That project also envisioned that a loan facility would be opened in two banks, to provide loans to farmers. Accordingly, before approving the current project, respective measures will be taken within the Agriculture Commercialization Project, to build the capacity of the participating banks in environmental assessment. The program will be similar to the training program for NCU specialists. Training for investees. Another critical group to be exposed to the importance of the environment concerns includes entrepreneurs from agricultural, energy and other sectors receiving investments should be provided advices on use better available techniques to prevent/ mitigate impact and promote sustainable agriculture, rangeland and alternative energy technologies. The workshops for this group would include environmental awareness and a practical exercise to observe and learn about sustainable agricultural and rangeland management practices, alternative energy and best available techniques in integrated pest management. The individual country NCU will develop the requirements for staffing, capacity building and training needs specifically for each country to ensure an efficient management of environment safeguard responsibilities. In order to ensure successful EMF implementation, a series of capacity building activities are necessary for which the project has to provide adequate funding. A tentative budget for proposed capacity building activities and trainings for an individual is presented in Table 5 below. A more detailed budget to cover all EMF related activities (training, capacity building, awareness, independent review and monitoring of EMF implementation) will be developed by each country. 58 Environmental Management Framework Table 5: Estimated tentative individual country budget for capacity building activities Costs of Number of Target Group Purpose of Training Workshop/Activity Workshops/Activities in USD A. Environment Management 1. NCU staff, and To ensure that NCU and other 2 workshops (YR1 5,000/workshop grant/loan relevant grant/loan approving and YR4) approval entities entities are aware about importance of the environment and know how to recognize the impacts that various funded activities may have on the environment. 2. NCU To provide NCU environmental 2 overseas (in Central 5,000/study tour Environmental safeguard specialist with Asia) regional training Safeguard knowledge on the screening of tours (YR1) Specialist the projects, EIA process and EIA review/study tour 3. Sub- Environmental awareness and a 2 workshops (YR1, 4,000/workshop borrowers/project practical exercise to observe and YR2) beneficiaries learn about sustainable agricultural practices and best available techniques and industry and agriculture 4. Farmers/farmer To provide farmers/grantees with two-day in-country 4,000/workshop groups knowledge on environmental regional workshop issues and environmental management techniques and procedures 5. Regional/Local Training on use of environmental 2 workshops (YR1, 5,000/workshop Government guidelines, how to identify sub YR3) Officers projects that may fall into one of overseeing the Bank’s environmental investment grants categories, and in which case will require a full and/or a partial EIA, and, to identify activities that may affect the environment and in organizing the subprojects EIAs B. Pest Management 6. NCU and To ensure that NCU and sector 2 workshops (YR1 10,000/workshop agriculture staff staff are aware about and YR2) environmental and health related concerns of pesticide us and the value of promoting integrated pest management 7. Sub- Awareness and a practical 3 workshops (YR1, 4,000/workshop borrowers/project exercise to observe and learn YR3 and YR5) beneficiaries about integrated pest management practices and best available techniques for horticulture and safe use of pesticides 59 Environmental Management Framework Funding for EMPs Implementation During the (re)construction/implementation phase, the EMP implementation will be funded by the subproject beneficiaries. All (re)construction and installation activities will be provided by investment recipients 10. Environmental Supervision and Reporting Since the proposed types of investments are very small with insignificant impacts and in most cases the EIAs and EMPS will be reviewed and approved by the participating banks. In rare cases, when impacts are expected to be significant, the review and approval of the EIA and EMPs will be undertaken by the State Ecological Expertise. No activity will be permitted to start a subproject until a favorable official written approval is received. Supervision and monitoring activities During subproject implementation the participating banks and the NCU will have overall supervision responsibility for assuring that the measures indicated in the EMP are being properly performed. Independently, or in collaboration with the national environmental authorities they will perform the Investment environmental supervision during both construction and operation phases as specified in the monitoring plan of the EMP. Reporting Regular Investment progress reports should include a section entitled “Environmental Management�. The section should be as brief as possible: providing a condensed description of the monitoring activities, any issues identified and how they were or are planned to be resolved. Subproject beneficiaries’ responsibilities The actual investment implementation will be carried out by its beneficiary or contractors selected on its behalf. They have to operate in full compliance with national environmental legislation and with the EMP requirements. Further, the beneficiaries are obliged to follow regulative requirements of the national law related to occupational health and safety; environmental protection. They will also be requested to designate a person in charge of environmental and safety issues and for implementing the EMP. 11. EMF Disclosure The EMF draft document was discussed with all stakeholders. To this end, on May 4, 2015, the Rural Restructuring Agency published the document on its webpage (http://www.rra.uz) so that any interested persons could read the document and take part in public discussions. The discussion took place on May 11, 2015. The participants included members of the program working group and representatives of interested institutions (agriculture, environment protection, research institutes). It was pointed out at the discussion that the draft EMF covers almost all possible impacts and mitigation measures, as well as environmental assessment and control procedures. Overall, the EMF was approved by all participants in the meeting. After finalization, the EMF was again presented at the Agency's website and sent to the World Bank to be disclosed in its InfoShop. 60 Environmental Management Framework Annexes 61 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. Environmental Screening Checklist PART 1 GRANT/LOAN RECIPIENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CHECKLIST (to be completed by Climate Investment Grant Recipient) 1. Investment Title: 2. Brief Description of Investment activity to include: nature of the project, project cost, physical size, site area, location, property ownership, existence of on-going operations, plans for expansion or new construction. 3. Will the project have impacts on the environmental parameters listed below during the construction or operational phases? Indicate, with a check “X�, during which phase impacts will occur and whether mitigation measures are required. Construction Operational Mitigation Environmental Component Phase Phase Measures Terrestrial environment Soil Erosion & Degradation: Will the project involve ploughing/plant cultivation on the slopes? Habitats and Biodiversity Loss: Will the project involve use or modification of habitats (pasturing on and ploughing up the steppe areas, cutting or removal of trees or other natural vegetation, etc.) Land degradation: Will the project apply pesticides? Land, habitats & ecosystems degradation: In case of rangeland management and livestock production, will the project contribute to land, habitats and ecosystems degradation? Land & soil degradation: Will the project involve land excavation? Generation of solid wastes, including toxic wastes? Will the project located in vicinity of protected areas or other sensitive areas supporting important habitats of natural fauna and flora? Agricultural crop production & plantation crop production - will the project presume appropriate agricultural practices? Biodiversity Loss: enlargement of area under the agricultural crop production Soil & underground water pollution Land degradation, water pollution & aesthetics: Construction Other impacts Aquatic environment Water Quantity: Will the project involve water use and extraction? Water Quality/Pollution: Will the project contribute to surface water pollution? 62 Environmental Management Framework Underground and Surface Water Pollution: Will the project apply pesticides and inorganic fertilizers contributing to surface water pollution? Loss of Biodiversity: Will the project located in vicinity of protected area or wetlands supporting both local avifauna and birds on passage? Degradation of natural aquatic ecosystems Weeds, pests, diseases: Will the project contribute to spreading of weeds, pests and animal and plant diseases? Will the project contribute to sedimentation of waterbodies? Other impacts Socio-economic environment Will the project assure non-deterioration of human health, occupational safety and non-disturbance of residents living near project area? Does the project require public consultation to consider local people environmental concerns and inputs? Social impacts 4. For the environmental components indicated above, and using the information (examples) provided in the table below describe the mitigation measures that will be included during the construction (C) or operational (O) phase of the project or both (B) Phase Environmental Component Mitigation measures (C, O or B) Sub-borrower: Signature: Date: 63 Environmental Management Framework Examples of Mitigation Measures (for more detailed description of listed below and other potential mitigation measures refer to Table 3 above) Environmental Component Mitigation measures Terrestrial environment Soil Erosion & Degradation: 1) Ploughing across the slope Will the project involve 2) Contour tillage ploughing/plant cultivation 3) Avoid creation of new terraces since it is linked with loss of topsoil, etc. on the slopes stimulating soil erosion and landslides? Habitats and Biodiversity 1) Avoiding use of remained natural or semi-natural steppe areas for Loss: Will the project involve pasturing and crop production use or modification of 2) Avoid, where possible, cutting of trees and other natural vegetation, etc. habitats (pasturing on and 3) Minimize loss of natural vegetation/ Maximal preservation of ploughing up the steppe vegetation during construction areas, cutting or removal of trees or other natural vegetation, etc.) Land degradation: Will the 1) Use of less harmful (non-persistent) pesticides project apply pesticides? 2) Not to apply more pesticides than needed 3) To ensure appropriate pesticides handling to avoid contaminated surface runoff, etc. 4) Use of Integrated pest management approaches Land, habitats & ecosystems 1) Not to exceed pastures’ capacity and avoid overgrazing degradation: In case of 2) Where possible, use of stabling rangeland management and 3) To develop sown pastures livestock production, will the 4) Where possible use rotational grazing, to fence grazing areas to use project contribute to land, them subsequently, giving to others possibility to restore, etc. habitats and ecosystems 5) Not to graze in natural areas in early spring and late autumn, etc. degradation? Land & soil degradation: 1) To dislocate excavated topsoil to adjacent agricultural lands Will the project involve land excavation? Generation of solid wastes, 1) Wastes reuse and recycling including toxic wastes? 2) Disposal on authorized landfills including on special toxic wastes disposal sites Will the project located in 1) Consideration of alternative locations, where possible vicinity of protected areas or 2) Careful timing of works and work seasonally, as appropriate: to avoid other sensitive areas construction during breeding season supporting important habitats 3) Where possible, to fence the area under construction to lessen of natural fauna and flora? occasional disturbance on habitats and biodiversity 4) Use natural meadows and grasslands rather for mowing than grazing 5) Inform personnel about importance of adjacent environmentally important area, if any, etc. Agricultural crop production 1) Appropriate crop rotation: fallow land – wheat – maize – sunflower – & plantation crop production lucerne – lucerne (2 years long) – legumes (pea, haricot, etc.) / wheat - will the project presume maize, etc./ or rye- maize-sunflower-Lucerne-Lucerne-legumes-rye, etc appropriate agricultural 2) Ploughing and tillage: ploughing across the slope & contour tillage practices? 3) On lands which are subject to erosion preferable cultivation of plants with require dense sowing (e.g. wheat, rye, etc.) and avoid cultivation of tilled crops (e.g., maize, sunflower) 4) Orchards: creation of grass strips between the rows, deep cultivation between the rows 5) Where possible, to prefer agricultural land arrangement as 64 Environmental Management Framework Environmental Component Mitigation measures follows: areas with cultivated crops alternated with areas used for pasturing and orchards, etc. Biodiversity Loss: Where possible, to plant (or maintain) green corridors to ensure movement enlargement of area under the of terrestrial fauna agricultural crop production Soil & underground water 1) Fuel and lubricants: use of specially arranged sites (with concrete floor) pollution for their handling and storage to avoid their leakages into the soil and runoff into waterbodies 2) Pesticides: see above 3) Use of special platforms and tanks with a waterproof bottom for accumulation of manure and preparing of organic fertilizers, etc. Land degradation, water 1) Careful selection of location for and planning of the project pollution & aesthetics: 2) To minimize construction site’s size and design work to minimize land Construction affected 3) Where possible, to execute construction works during dry season to avoid excessive contaminated runoff 4) Properly arranged waste disposal sites 5) Cleaning of construction site, replacing the lost trees, re-vegetation of work area, etc. Other impacts? Other measures? Aquatic environment Water Quantity: Will the 1) To ensure natural flow of water/ minimum disruption of natural streams project involve water use and flows extraction? 2) To install water meters to control and minimize water use 3) Avoid or minimize surface water abstraction in case downstream the wetland is situated. etc. Water Quality/Pollution: Will 1a). For small rural enterprises: to install local wastewater treatment the project contribute to facilities (e.g., septic tanks) surface water pollution? 1b). For big enterprises: not to exceed established limits of pollutants in effluents 2) To minimize water and mud collection 3) Where possible, to renovate existing sewerage system/ensure connection to municipal sewerage system 4) To arrange properly waste disposal sites Underground and Surface 1) See above Water Pollution: Will the 2) Where possible, to plant at least bush vegetation downslope to reduce project apply pesticides and pollutants surface runoff into waterbodies inorganic fertilizers contributing to surface water pollution? Loss of Biodiversity: Will the 1) Where possible, to avoid introduction of alien species project involve introduction 2) In case of use of already introduced alien species to ensure their of alien species (e.g., in case noncoming into natural ecosystems, e.g., during water discharge from the of aquaculture projects)? ponds, etc. Loss of Biodiversity: Will the 1) Not to exceed established limits of pollutants in effluents and emissions project located in vicinity of 2) To avoid or minimize construction and operational activities during protected area or wetlands breeding and migration periods, etc. supporting both local avifauna and birds on passage? Degradation of natural 1) Avoid application of pesticides in the strip with width of 300 m along aquatic ecosystems the natural surface waterbodies, 2) Avoid cutting of trees and other natural vegetation along the waterbodies 3) Avoid coming of alien species into natural waterbodies, 65 Environmental Management Framework Environmental Component Mitigation measures 4) Properly arranged waste disposals sites, etc. Weeds, pests, diseases: Will 1) Avoid cultivation of plant mono-culture on agricultural lands the project contribute to 2) Appropriate pest management spreading of weeds, pests and 3) Giving the priority to the agro-technical and biological measures for the animal and plant diseases? control of weeds, pests, and diseases 4) In cattle farms, to adhere established veterinary rules to prevent or minimize animal diseases, etc. Sedimentation of waterbodies 1) To avoid excessive soil erosion: see above 2) Minimize soil processing 3) Provide retention/ sedimentation ponds, as necessary 4) To control reed harvesting ( to avoid over-harvesting) Other impacts? Other measures? Socio-economic environment Will the project assure non- 1) To ensure collective and individual protective measures (work clothes, deterioration of human masks, shoes), when needed. health, occupational safety 2) To adhere established occupational safety requirements as well as and non-disturbance of simple rules, e.g.: residents living near project a. water spaying twice a day during construction to avoid dust area? (mainly for b. Permanent ventilation of internal areas construction activities) c. timing of work 3) To conduct regular instructing of personnel on health and occupational safety requirements 4) To restrict vehicle speeds and trough-traffic in residential areas, especially trucks 5) Restrict trough-traffic in residential areas 6) Work timing to minimize disturbance/ restrict construction to certain hours 7) Restrict movement of hazardous materials in residential areas/ regulation of transportation of materials; apply any load restriction required during and post construction periods 8) Incorporate safety and environment protection requirements in the project contract documents, etc. Does the project require If yes, anticipated public concerns, e.g., project location, waste disposal public consultation to sites, harmful emissions into environment, aesthetic arrangement of site consider local people under construction activities? etc. environmental concerns and inputs? Social impacts Appropriate project design: location, methods of construction, use of safe technologies during operation period, work timing, careful decommissioning, etc. 66 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CHECKLIST PART 2 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CHECKLIST (to be completed by the participating bank as appropriate) 1. Project Environmental Category (B or C) 2. Environmental Assessment Required (Yes or No) 3. Type of Environmental Assessment: 3.1 Partial EIA for Category B projects 3.2 EMP Checklists for small scale construction/reconstruction activities 4. Types of EA documents: 4.1 Partial EIA, including site assessment and EMP for category B projects 4.2 Site assessment and EMP checklists for small scale category B projects 5. What environmental issues are raised by the proposed investment? 6. If an environmental assessment is required, what are the specific issues to be addressed? 7. If a Pest Management Plan is required, what specific concerns need to be addressed? 8. What is the time frame and estimated cost of conducting the environmental assessment? Environmental Screener: Signature: Date: 67 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. Environmental Screening Checklist PART 3 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING CHECKLIST (to be completed by the participating bank) 1. Was an Environmental Impact Assessment needed? (Y/N) ___ If “Yes�, was it done? ___ 2. Have national and World Bank requirements for public consultation been met and fully documented? (Y/N) ________ 3. Was an Environmental Management Plan prepared? (Y/N) ________ 4. Was a Pest Management Plan needed? (Y/N) _____ If “Yes�, was it done? _____ 5. Are the mitigation measures to be included in project implementation adequate and appropriate? (Y/N) ________ 6. Will the project comply with existing pollution control standards for emissions and wastes? (Y/N) ___ If “No�, will an exemption be sought? __________ 7. Is an Environmental Monitoring Plan necessary? (Y/N) ___ If so, has it been prepared? (Y/N) ___ Approved by the NCU? __________ 8. What follow-up actions are required by the proponent and NCU? _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 9. Were public consultations held concerning potential environmental impacts of the proposed sub-project? (Y/N) ____ Were minutes recorded? (Y/N) ____ Dates: Participants: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ Date: Environmental Screener 68 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. Field Inspection Checklist PART 4 FIELD INSPECTION CHECKLIST (to be completed by the participating bank for Category B subprojects) Project name: Date/time of Visit: Region/location: Other participants: Current activity and site history  Who is the site contact (name, position, contact information)?  What is the area of the site to be used for project activities?  What are current uses of the site?  What were previous uses of the site (give dates if possible)? Environmental Situation  Are there sensitive sites nearby (nature reserves, cultural sites, historical landmarks)?  Are there water courses on the site?  What is the terrain or slope?  Does the site experience flooding, waterlogging or landslides? Are there signs of erosion?  What are the neighboring buildings (e.g. schools, dwellings, industries) and land uses? Estimate distances.  Will the proposed site affect transportation or public utilities? Licenses, Permits and Clearances  Does the site require licenses or permits to operate the type of activity proposed? Are these available for inspection?  What environmental or other (e.g., health, forestry) authorities have jurisdiction over the site? Water Quality Issues  Does the proposed activity use water for any purposes (give details and estimate quantity). What is the source?  Will the proposed activity produce any effluent? (estimate quantity and identify discharge point)  Is there a drainage system on site for surface waters or sewage? Is there a plan available of existing drainage or septic systems?  How waste water is managed (surface water courses, dry wells, septic tanks)? Soils  What is the ground surface (agricultural land, pasture, etc.)?  Will the project damage soils during construction or operations?  Will the project affect the landscape significantly (draining wetlands, changing stream courses) Pesticide Issues  What are the procedures for transport, application, storage and disposal of pesticide 69 Environmental Management Framework  Are members of the grant recipient work force trained in proper storage and use of pesticides?  Are pesticides being used as a last resort?  Are there efforts to use integrated pest management measures? Biological environment  Describe vegetation cover on the site.  Is there information about rare or threatened flora and fauna at or near the site? If yes, would the project have an impact or increase risk to the species?  Obtain a list of vertebrate fauna and common plants of the site (if available).  Note potential negative impacts on biota if project proceeds. Visual Inspection Procedures  Try to obtain a site map or make a sketch to mark details.  Take photos, if permitted.  Walk over as much of the site as possible, including boundaries, to note adjacent activities.  Note any odors, smoke or visual dust emissions, standing water, etc. 70 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. Terms of Reference for Conducting an Environment Impact Assessment PART 5 TERMS OF REFERENCE (For conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment Study for Categories B of subprojects) An Environmental Assessment Report Categories B projects focuses on the significant environmental issues raised by a Sub-project. Its primary purpose is to identify environmental impacts and those measures that, if incorporated into the design and implementation of a project can assure that the negative environmental effects will be minimized. The scope and level of detail required in the analysis depend on the magnitude and severity of potential impacts. The environmental assessment report should include the following elements: a. Executive Summary. This summarizes the significant findings and recommended actions. b. Policy, legal and administrative framework. This section summarizes the legal and regulatory framework that applies to environmental management in the jurisdiction where the study is done. c. Project Description. Describes the nature and scope of the project and the geographic, ecological, temporal and socioeconomic context in which the project will be carried out. The description should identify social groups that will be affected, include a map of the project site, and identify any off-site or support facilities that will be required for the project. d. Baseline data. Describe relevant physical, biological and social condition including any significant changes anticipated before the project begins. Data should be relevant to project design, location, operation or mitigation measures. e. Environmental impacts. Describe the likely or expected positive and negative impacts in quantitative terms to the extent possible. Identify mitigation measures and estimate residual impacts after mitigation. Describe the limits of available data and uncertainties related to the estimation of impacts and the results of proposed mitigation. f. Analysis of Alternatives. Systematically compare feasible alternatives to the proposed project location, design and operation including the "without project" alternative in terms of their relative impacts, costs and suitability to local conditions. For each of the alternatives quantify and compare the environmental impacts and costs relative to the proposed plan. g. Environmental Management Plan (EMP). If significant impacts requiring mitigation are identified, the EMP defines the mitigation that will be done, identifies key monitoring indicators and any needs for institutional strengthening for effective mitigation and monitoring to be carried out. h. Appendices. This section should include: (i) The list of EA preparers; (ii) References used in study preparation; (iii) A chronological record of interagency meetings and consultations with NGOs and effected constituents; (iv) Tables reporting relevant data discussed in the main text, and (v) A list of associated reports such as resettlement plans or social assessments that were prepared for the project. 71 Environmental Management Framework Attachment 1. Environmental Management Plan Format Cost Institutional Responsibility Remarks Phase Environmental impact Mitigating measure(s) Install Operate Install Operate Construction       Operation       Decomissioning       Sub-borrower: Signature: Date: Attachment 2. Environmental Monitoring Plan Format Where will When will Why is the Cost Institutional Responsibility What parameter How will the the the parameter Phase is to be parameter be monitored? parameter be parameter be being Install Operate Install Operate monitored? monitored? monitored? monitored? Baseline Construction Operation Decomissioning Sub-borrower: Signature: Date: 72 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 1. Recommended Structure for Pest Management Plan PART 6 (Structure of Pest Management Plan) 1 Background which would outline i) the purpose of the Plan, ii) indicate pest management authorities, and iii) pest management program objective; 2. Responsibilities of individuals (e.g., Program Director, Health Chair, Pest Management Coordinator, Pest Management Personnel, etc.) 3. General Information which should provide data on land use and soil, in the area where the pesticides are applied; climate, geo-morphology, settlements in the area of concern, population, surface water, etc. as well as inventory of land use and layout of facilities 4. Priority of Pest Management (e.g., undesirable vegetation, vertebrate pests, etc.) 5. Integrated Pest Management 5.1 Principles of the Integrated Pest Management are: a) Mechanical and Physical Control. This type of control alters the environment in which a pest lives, traps and removes pests where they are not wanted, or excludes pests. Examples of this type control include: harborage elimination through caulking or filling voids, screening, etc. b) Cultural Control. Strategies in this method involve manipulating environmental conditions to suppress or eliminate pests. For example, spreading manure from stables onto fields to dry prevents fly breeding. Elimination of food and water for pests through good sanitary practices may prevent pest populations from becoming established or from increasing beyond a certain size. c) Biological Control. In this control strategy, predators, parasites or disease organisms are used to control pest populations. Sterile flies may be released to lower reproductivity. Viruses and bacteria may be used which control growth or otherwise kill insects. Parasitic wasps may be introduced to kill eggs, larvae or other life stages. Biological control may be effective in and of itself, but is often used in conjunction with other types of control. d) Chemical Control. Pesticides kill living organisms, whether they will be plants or animals. At one time, chemicals were considered to be the most effective control available, but pest resistance rendered many pesticides ineffective. The trend is to use pesticides which have limited residual action. While this has reduced human exposure and lessened environmental impact, the cost of chemical control has risen due to requirements for more frequent application. Since personal protection and special handling and storage requirements are necessary with the use of chemicals, the overall cost of using chemicals as a sole means of control can be quite costly when compared with nonchemical control methods. 5.2 Integrated Pest Management Outlines. This sub-chapter addresses each major pest or category of similar pests is addressed, by site, in separate outlines. 5.3 Annual Workload for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control. In this sub-chapter has to be indicated the number of man-hours expended for surveillance, prevention, and control of pests. 73 Environmental Management Framework 6. Health and Safety. This chapter should contain health and safety requirements as follows: 6.1 Medical Surveillance of Pest Management Personnel. All personnel who apply pesticides have to are included in a medical surveillance program. 6.2 Hazard Communication. Pest management personnel are given hazard communication training, to include hazardous materials in his workplace. Additional training is to be given to new employees or when new hazardous materials are introduced into the workplace. 6.3 Personal Protective Equipment. In this chapter has to be described approved masks, respirators, chemical resistant gloves and boots, and protective clothing (as specified by applicable laws, regulations and/or the pesticide label) are provided to pesticide applicators. These items are used as required during the mixing and application of pesticides. Pesticide-contaminated protective clothing is not be laundered at home but commercially. Severely contaminated clothing is not laundered, but is considered a pesticide-related waste and disposed, as applicable for hazardous waste. 6.4 Fire Protection. The fire safety protection requirements has to be established; the pest management coordinator has to control implementation of measures to prevent fire. 7. Environmental Considerations. 7.1 Protection of the Public. Precautions are taken during pesticide application to protect the public, on and off the installation. Pesticides should not be applied outdoors when the wind speed exceeds 155 m/min. Whenever any pesticides are applied outdoors, care is taken to make sure that any spray drift is kept away from individuals, including the applicator. Pesticide application indoors is accomplished by individuals wearing the proper personal protective clothing and equipment. At no time are personnel permitted in a treatment area during pesticide application unless they have met the medical monitoring standards and are appropriately protected. 7.2 Sensitive Areas. No pesticides are applied directly to wetlands or water areas (lakes, rivers, etc.) unless use in such sites is specifically approved. 7.3 Endangered/Protected Species and Critical Habitats. Protected migratory birds which periodically occur on the installation cannot be controlled without a permit. The Pest Management Coordinator periodically evaluates ongoing pest control operations and evaluates all new pest control operations to ensure compliance with the list of endangered species. No pest management operations are conducted that are likely to have a negative impact on endangered or protected species or their habitats without prior approval from environmental authorities. 7.4 Environmental Documentation. An environmental assessment which specifically addresses the pesticide use program on the installation has been prepared. This plan is referenced in the assessment as documentation of pesticide use. 74 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 2 ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORIES World Bank Category A: (insert country equivalent category) A Category A project is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works, can cause serious and irrevocable impact upon the environment or human health. The category A subprojects will be not financed under the project World Bank Category B: (insert country equivalent category): A Category B project has potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas - including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats - which are less adverse than that of Category A projects. These impacts are site-specific; few if any of them are irreversible; and in most cases mitigatory measures can be designed more readily than for Category A projects. The scope of EIA for a Category B project may vary from project to project, but it is narrower than that of a Category A assessment. Like Category A, a Category B environmental assessment examines the projects potential negative and positive environmental impacts and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. World Bank Category C: (insert country equivalent category): A Category C project is likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. Beyond screening, no further EIA action is required. Category-C includes activities, the scope, location and content of which will not bring about serious impact on the environment. Category B sub-project EIA reports, are subject to post review by the Bank. The first two category B subprojects for each country will be subject to prior review and then – post review. It is important that the project management unit and the lending institution be able to identify activities for which funding is being requested and which may fall into either of the World Bank’s Category A or Category B. For the most recent information on environmental categories see Website www.worldbank.org/environment Sub-projects classified as Categories A, B or C include: Category A Sub-Projects Category C Sub-Projects Category B Sub-Projects (Category II or (Category I in country (Category IV in country III in country classification) classification) classification) Agriculture and Rangeland Agriculture and Rangeland (medium scale) Agriculture and Rangeland (large scale) (small scale) - Agriculture, horticulture, rangeland, - Agriculture, horticulture, - Agriculture, horticulture, vineyards and orchards (medium scale rangeland, vineyards and rangeland, vineyards and intensive operations 50-500 ha)1 orchards (small scale orchards (medium scale - Re-cultivation of resting land (up to 1000 <50ha) intensive operations >500 hectares); - Forest plantation in ha)17 - Utilization of agricultural land (30 to 50 degraded lands; - Re-cultivation of resting hectares) for nonagricultural - Small scale recultivation land (greater than 1000 (commercial or industrial) purposes (<100 ha); hectares); - Utilization of virgin soils and unbroken - Green fence plantation - Utilization of agricultural expanses for intensive agriculture around agricultural lands 17 There is no specific requirements for EA of agricultural, horticultural or orchard and vineyard activities under the local Law, so the HDP will specify >50ha and less than 500 ha category B and <50ha as Category C. 75 Environmental Management Framework Category A Sub-Projects Category C Sub-Projects Category B Sub-Projects (Category II or (Category I in country (Category IV in country III in country classification) classification) classification) land (over 50 hectares) for - Forest plantation in agricultural lands - Construction of nonagricultural - Construction of buildings to store glasshouses and hotbeds (commercial or industrial) agriculture goods and agricultural without water supply and purposes products heating structures - Construction/reconstruction of - Utilization of agricultural warehouses for chemical pesticides and land (20 to 30 hectares) for mineral fertilizers nonagricultural purposes in developed areas - Acquisition of tractors and other farm equipment - Integrated pest Irrigation (medium scale) management Irrigation (large scale) - Purchase of drought- - Watershed projects (management or tolerant seeds - River basin development; rehabilitation); - Thermal and hydropower - Rehabilitation, maintenance, and Irrigation (small scale) development; upgrading projects (small-scale); -drip and plastic tube irrigation (small scale) -irrigation scheduling Off-grid energy (large scale) -alternate furrow irrigation Off-grid energy (large scale) Off-grid energy (small - Micro-hydro schemes scale) -small scale micro-hydro Participatory Forestry rehabilitation Participatory Forestry - Medium scale (over 500 ha); - Small scale (less than 500 ha) and in degraded - Forestry in undeveloped lands agricultural lands Other Considerations - Activities located in protected areas and other nationally recognized sensitive and wetlands 76 Environmental Management Framework ANNEX 3 Terms of Reference for the NCU Environmental Safeguard Specialist A) Responsibilities The Environmental Safeguard Specialist (ESS) will be responsible for ensuring investments’ EA and environmental monitoring of the Project interventions and its impacts. The ESS will be in charge of overall coordination and reporting on the EMP, inspection of environmental compliance at worksites, advising project participants on environmental questions, coordination the overall environmental monitoring at project level, and coordination of the IPM extension program. The specialist will be responsible for periodically collecting information on changes and impact of the project activities. The ESS will set monitoring indicators for the periodical study of environmental impacts of the project activities. Project related study documents, including EMF, and others will be the main frame works for the specialist to operate. ESS will ensure that the information gathered is provided to the Project Manager and relevant component coordinators so that they will be able to properly assess project implementation and make suitable adjustments to implementation plans (should that be necessary). This information and the findings from it are a powerful management tool to be used on a continual basis during implementation and therefore it is important that the ESS receives suitable and continuous support from the NCU management. Detailed responsibilities of the Environmental specialist in relation to NCU are listed below (but not limited to this list): Liaising with the participating banks and the State Ecological Expertise body in review and approval of projects that pose a high environmental risk Guiding the participating banks, NCU and other relevant project staffs in the areas of investment sub-projects environment requirements and review and approval procedures and providing training as appropriate. Guiding and informing investees of environmental safeguard requirements, review and approval and monitoring requirements, and providing training and manuals, as appropriate to ensure that investees are adequately aware and equipped to meet the environmental safeguard requirements Providing training and technical guidance on safe pesticide use, application, storage, disposal and transport and on options for IPM, including recruitment of technical expertise to provide training and extension services Provide quarterly report to the Project Manager on project progress and effectiveness of the measures for environmental management. Guiding the staff of NCU in preparation of bidding documents to ensure environmental compliance Act as the communication point between the national and international authorities and organizations involved in the Environment and Nature Protection. Actively participate in IDA supervision missions. 77 Environmental Management Framework B) Reporting The ESS will report directly to the Manager/NCU. The ESS will be responsible to implement the monitoring plan. ESS will prepare and submit concise quarterly reports to the attention of the NCU on the most important issues related to the investment EMP. The format of the report will be prepared by the ESS and approved by the Manager/NCU. C) Qualifications and Experience The Environmental Safeguard Specialist should have: i) A university degree in the area of ecology, environment and nature protection, industrial engineering and/or similar. ii) At least 3 years’ experience of working in the area of monitoring, environment and nature protection and/or similar. iii) Broad experience in monitoring environmental impacts, national environmental standards and requirements for nature, human health and general safeguard policies and standards. iv) Understanding of international environmental standards, including World Banks safeguard policies and requirements. v) Experience in interacting with Government agencies, international agencies, national and local administrations. vi) Good written and communication skills. Knowledge of English is preferable. 78 Environmental Management Framework 79