Environmental and Social Management Framework (esmf)

Grant (in-kind transfer of assets) Screening Procedures

327. 
     Once it is confirmed that the subproject is not part of the list of prohibited activities, case officers working with applicants will carry out a rapid assessment of the likely environmental and social impact, that will be based on the requirements of national legislation and WB ESSs, completing the screening form presented in the Annex 3. Subproject activities will be also checked against WB risk classification to ensure that High and Substantial risk activities are screened out. The Screening Checklist on Social Issues should be also filled out for this purpose, (see Annex 4). The summary of the Environmental and Social Screening will be presented as specified in Annex 5.
     
328. 
     This will make it possible to identify the type and scale of potential environment impacts and determine to which risk category the subproject should be attributed. Generally, the significance of impacts and risks will depend on the type and scale of the subproject, its location, sensitivity of environmental issues, and the nature and magnitude of potential risks and impacts.
     
329. 
     Type and scale of projects. Subprojects with High and Substantial Environmental Risks and Impacts will not be financed. Subprojects with High and Substantial Social Risks and Impacts will not be supported either. AESP will not finance the subprojects with Substantial Social Risk or low with proper mitigation measures taken, and subprojects with Moderate and Low Environmental Risks. A “High Risk” rating generally would entail the following impacts (a) significantly impact on human populations, including settlements and local communities (b) alteration of environmentally important areas, including wetlands, native forests, grasslands, and other “critical” natural habitats and ecosystem services; (c) direct pollutant discharges that are large enough to cause degradation of air, water or soil, endangered species and “critical” habitats; (d) large-scale physical disturbances of the site and/or surroundings; (e) extraction, consumption or conversion of substantial amounts of forest and other important natural habitats, including above and below ground and water-based ecosystems; (f) measurable modification of hydrologic cycle; (g) hazardous materials in more than incidental quantities; and (h) significant involuntary displacement of people and other significant social disturbances.
     
330. 
     Location. There are a number of locations which prompt activity classification into “Substantial or High Risk”: (a) in or near sensitive and valuable ecosystems and “critical” habitats — juniper forests, wetlands, wild lands, vulnerable soils, and particular habitats of endangered rare and endemic species; (b) in densely populated areas, where resettlement may be required or potential pollution impact and other disturbances may significantly affect communities; (c) in regions subject to heavy development activities or where there are conflicts regarding the allocation of natural resources; 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). Subprojects located in the proximity of such areas will be classified as Substantial or High-Risk activities from environmental perspective and will not be considered for support by the Project.
     
331. 
     Sensitivity. Sensitive issues may include (but are not limited to): conversion of wetlands, potential adverse effects on endangered species and habitats as well as protected areas or sites, involuntary resettlement, impacts on international waterways and other trans boundary issues, and toxic waste disposal.
     
332. 
     Magnitude. There are a number of ways in which magnitude can be measured, such as the absolute amount of a resource or ecosystem affected, the amount affected relative to the existing stock of the resource or ecosystem, the intensity of the impact and its timing and duration. In addition, the probability of occurrence for a specific impact and the cumulative impact of the proposed action and other planned or ongoing actions may need to be considered. Taking into account the scale of the proposed subprojects, it is expected that the magnitude of their environmental impacts will be low to moderate, and their social impacts will be moderate. Therefore, only subprojects that are rated as “Moderate” or “Low” Risk will be considered for AESP support through provision of in-kind transfer of assets. Annex 6 provides guidance on classifying proposed subprojects against the ESF risk classification system and advises on whether or not ESMP is to be prepared for any given subproject.
     

3.