1. Implementation of FAO Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines in the new FAO project cycle Alemneh Dejene Climate Impact, Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability (NRC) November 2012 1

2. It is a management tool to identify potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, to evaluate alternative approaches and to design appropriate prevention, mitigation, and management measures. Social considerations are an integral part of the EIA process. EIA is an essential pre-requisite for resource mobilization. Why the EIA in the project cycle? International accepted standard and good practice in the UN system. It is in line with the “Framework for Advancing the Social and Environmental Sustainability in the UN system” endorsed by The Heads of Agencies in 2011. Each UN entity is expected to systematically integrate environmental and social sustainability considerations in all programmes and project cycle. Environmental Impact Assessment 2 2

3. Category A Projects involve significant, cumulative or even potentially irreversible negative environmental impacts or risks. These projects automatically require a fully-fledged EIA. (EMP, IPP, public disclosure, consultations) Category B Projects should not entail significant (or potentially irreversible) negative environmental (and associated social) impacts, but may still have adverse effects which can be mitigated with suitable preventive actions. These projects require an Environmental Analysis. Category C Projects should have minimal or no potential negative environmental (or social) impacts, either individually or cumulatively and they do not require further analysis. Most FAO projects fall under category C EIA project categories 3 3

4. FAO PROJECT CYCLE: IDENTIFICATION PHASE (concept note) Step 1 Initial Environmental Review Step 2 Environmental Screening Step 3 Environmental Scoping Purpose: Determine the environmental category of a project Responsibility: LTO National, sub regional and regional projects: LTO in consultation with MDT Interregional/global projects: LTO in HQ Activity: Filling of Environmental and Social Review Form (ESRF) Purpose: Determine category B and A projects. Responsibility: LTO National, sub regional and regional projects: LTO in DO s in consultation with the MDT Interregional/global projects: LTO in consultation with EIA at HQ Activity: Filling of “basic policy requirements for field projects” checklist Purpose: Determine main issues, problems and alternatives during the concept note phase. Responsibility: EIA at HQ EIA at HQ will be informed of category A projects and will follow them through the project cycle Activity: EIA at HQ will review environmental policies, laws and regulations and initial public consultation. EIA PROCESS Category C projects proceed to formulation and approval Category C projects proceed to formulation and approval Category B projects will require an Environmental Analysis (EA) Category A projects will require a fully-fledged Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 4 4

5. FAO PROJECT CYCLE : FORMULATION PHASE CATEGORY B PROJECTS Category B projects in Decentralized Offices (DO) EIA PROCESS Category B projects in Headquarters (HQ) Category A projects in Decentralized Offices (DO) Category A projects in Headquarters (HQ) -Regional/ Subregional EIA focal point will support the LTO in the implementation of an Environmental Analysis. - In case of large and environmentally-sensitive projects, HQ EIA will support the LTO and the national/external EIA expert as needed - EIA at HQ will provide support to the LTO at HQ and respective Regional EIA focal points in the implementation of an Environmental Analysis. ROLE OF EIA at HQ CATEGORY A PROJECTS ROLE OF EIA at HQ - EIA at HQ will support the LTO and regional EIA focal points for undertaking the full EIA. - EIA at HQ will provide standard TOR to recruit EIA external expert at the nearest location. - EIA at HQ will liaise with the LTO in the DO and provide technical support to the EIA national/external expert. - EIA at HQ will provide support to the locally/outside recruited EIA expert for undertaking the full EIA. Activities include: - Provide standard TOR to recruit EIA external expert at the nearest location. - Provide technical support to the LTO in the technical division for the implementation of the fully fledged EIA process - Review all the necessary documentation including Environmental Management Plan and Indigenous management plan as needed - On-site mission to support the work of the recruited national or external EIA expert, in- depth participatory consultation and public disclosure as needed.

6. FAO PROJECT CYCLE: APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL PHASE AppraisalApproval Purpose: Quality assurance / Clear the Environmental Technical Review (only for A and B category projects) Responsibility: LTO National, sub regional and regional projects: LTO in DO and reviewed by EIA at HQ Interregional/global projects: LTO in HQ in consultation with EIA at HQ. Activity: Filling of Appraisal checklist Category A projects: EIA at HQ will review the process EIA PROCESS Purpose: Approval of Appraisal checklist and review of EIA classification assigned to a project during formulation phase. Responsibility: PAC (EIA at HQ member of PAC) 6

7. Implementation & Monitoring Responsibility: LTO National, sub regional and regional projects: LTO in DO and reviewed by EIA at HQ Interregional/global projects: LTO in HQ Activity: Category B projects: - Filling of monitoring section of Mid Term Reports (every 6 months). - EIA at HQ will be informed Category A projects: - Filling of monitoring section of Environmental Management Plan in consultation with EIA at HQ. - For large/environmentally sensitive projects, the EIA at HQ may undertake on-site investigation himself or recruit and directly supervise the work of other experts as required. EIA PROCESS FAO PROJECT CYCLE: IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING PHASE 7

8. Evaluation & Closure Purpose: Sharing information and lessons learned Responsibility: Evaluation Unit in liaison with EIA at HQ EIA PROCESS FAO PROJECT CYCLE: EVALUATION AND CLOSURE PHASE 8

9. Recommendations EIA at HQ is not operational. How to start? Minimum core staff needed? Recommendation of the EIA Task Force and consensus on consultation. EIA implementation is a corporate task and responsibility. NRC is leading and catalyzing efforts for its implementation. Where to place the EIA at HQ? More appropriate under SO2. EIA at HQ should be closely allied with the unit responsible for the new project cycle (TCDM) and the new PAC (former PPRC). Further harmonization between the EIA and the project cycle will be essential. HQ Technical Divisions Management, ODG and ADG/RR support will be essential in the implementation of EIA and agreeing on a suitable arrangement. 9