MCA-N Activities & ESA (Environmental & Social Assessments)

MCA Namibia1

WHY ESA in MCA-N

Background The pursuit of sustainable development / economic growth and a

healthy environment are very related

development projects, if not properly implemented, often gives rise to severe economic, social, and environmental risks

Growing evidence that gender inequality is a constraint to growth

and poverty reduction.

ESA – now one of the main safeguard requirements used by all development programmes / donors to:

• examine the potential environmental risks and benefits associated with donor funded projects

• Tool for integrating environmental and social concerns into development policies, programs and projects by establishing the minimum requirements

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WHY ESA in MCA-N

Objectives ensure that all our activities are implemented in most environmentally &

socially sound manners That our activities do not lead to environmental and social catastrophies That negative environmental and social impacts are are properly

identified, avoided, mitigated, and generally kept at a minimum

Ensure that all our activities are designed and are implemented in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements

Namibia Environmental Management Act (EMA) MCC Environmental Guidelines MCC Gender Policy Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP4.12)

Ensure that all targeted stakeholders (including marginalised and vulnerable groups) are consulted, participate and not involuntarily excluded

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WHY ESA in MCA-N

Regulatory requirements by law

Namibian EMA Determines which activities require environmental impact

assessments (EIAs) and sets out regulations, procedures and guidelines

• Some of MCA-N activities will required EIA’s

MCC Environmental Guidelines Section 605(e)(3) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 prohibits

MCC from providing assistance for any project that is "likely to cause a significant environmental, health, or safety hazard."

Sets out MCC minimum requirements for impacts assessments

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WHY ESA in MCA-N

Regulatory requirements by law

MCC & GRN Gender Policies MCC & GRN aims to reduce gender disparities and enhance

women’s participation in the economic development of their countries by integrating gender considerations in its country assistance program.

Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP4.12) This policy makes sure that people who may be involuntarily

resettled for MCA-N purposes faced with hardships and impoverishment as a result of MCA-N (e.g when their productive assets or income sources are lost)

It sets out compensatory / rectification procedures and guidelines (not rates)

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ESA Section roles

Overall responsibility for all ESA aspects Environment; social, gender, resettlement aspects

Assess, monitor and evaluate ALL MCA-N activities in respect with all ESA aspects.

Ensure that MCA-N activities are implemented in accordance and compliance with MCC ESA guidelines and Government of Namibia environmental legislations

prepare, facilitate procurement and manage MCA – N consultants hired to support MCA-N on ESA aspects implementation

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ESA Section Key Outputs

Review of all MCA-N activities (environment, social (including HIV/AIDS), gender)

Environmental Assessments and EIA

Environmental Management Plans

Environmental Clearances

Public Health and Safety Plans

HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Plans

Gender & Social Integration Plans

Involuntary resettlement

M&E targets

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ESA on ground examples

E.g. ENP ESIA Activity preliminary assessment (cross check with laws, consultations, ESA

requirements determination, etc) Closely liaise with other sections (tourism, infrastructure, MET, etc) ToRs development, consultation and approval Support procurement process

• Budget estimation• Consultants conferences, & queries responses / answers• Lead technical evaluation process• Contract negotiation & awarding• Contracting management

- inception

- receive deliverables, ensure completence / quality & facilitate approvals

- approve payments • Facilitate environmental clearance by GRN

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MCA-N Activities and ESA applications

Activities categorisation Category A

• Significant adverse environmental and social impacts Category B

• Less adverse environmental and social impacts are than those of Category A

Category C

• No environmental and social impacts Category D

• Activities under external funding facility

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MCA-N Activities and ESA applications

Category A activities (Baseline, Full EIA) Indigenous Natural Product Activity

Construction of new administrative facilities and new staff houses in Etosha National Park

Category B activities (Baseline, EA, EMPs) Construction of 4 new COSDECs

Construction of 3 new RSRCs

Upgrading of 5 COSDECs

Construction and or renovation of 47 schools

Construction of 5 new State Veterinary Offices (SVOs)

Improve facilities at two existing government quarantine camps in Caprivi;

Construction of water and possibly other support infrastructure for the CBRLM activity.

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MCA-N Activities and ESA applications

Category C activities (No EIA, No EMP): Education Technical assistance to improve school maintenance and administrations;

Equipment for Colleges of Education (CoEs);

Baseline study of textbooks needs;

Procurement of English, Mathematics and Science text books;

Textbook management training;

Technical assistance to establish a National Training Fund;

Competitive grants for high –priority vocational training programmes;

Expanding and improving access to tertiary finance and;

Strengthening the MoE HIV/AIDS management unit.

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MCA-N Activities and ESA applications

Category C activities (No EIA, No EMP): Tourism Policy Reform and Technical Assistance to Support Improved

Management of ENP;

Destination Marketing to the North American Market;

Development and Marketing of Local and Regional Tourism Routes;

Interactive Website Development);

Conservancies needs assessment and;

Technical assistance and Capacity Building

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MCA-N Activities and ESA applications

Category C activities (No EIA, No EMP): Agriculture Livestock Traceability System;

Communal Land Support and;

Marketing information delivery

Category D activities (Baseline, Full EIA, EA, EMPs as applicable and done by applicants): Tourism

Policy Reform and Technical Assistance to Support Improved Management of ENP;

Provision of Road Maintenance and Game Translocation Equipment

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MCA-N ESA Approach

Category A activities full EIA study (with baseline) as per EMA EMP’s as per EMA

Process:

Application Submission

with baseline study

EIA Study

EIA, EMPs submission &

ECC application

EIA, EMPs approval &

ECC

Implementation, monitoring &

evaluation

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MCA-N ESA Approach

Category B activities No full EIA study Baseline study / report as per EMA ESAF as per MCC (for some activities only) Environmental assessment EMPs as per EMA

Process: ESAF

Application Submission

with baseline study

Environmental Assessments

& EMPs development

EMPs submission &

ECC application

EMPs approval &

ECC

Implementation, monitoring & evaluation

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optional

Thank you

MCA Namibia

Atlas HouseCnr. Sam Nujoma Drive/Mandume Ndemuefayo

Tel. 061-410400Fax. 061-410415

Read more about MCA Namibia on:www.mcanamibia.org

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