The first INECE Discussion Series of 2018 will begin on April 17, focusing on the relationship between environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), and compliance and enforcement. ESIA provides essential data for establishing benchmarks, understanding risks, and setting limits in environmental licenses and permits. ESIA is also essential to enhance development outcomes, assess and manage potential risks, and strengthen social acceptance and support to a project.
Moreover, the terms of the licenses and permits resulting from ESIAs must be monitored to gauge compliance, identify violations, and assign appropriate penalties for environmental harms. If the environmental obligations are not complied with and/or enforced, the licensing program will not have the expected environmental outcomes. Effective ESIA and compliance and enforcement are thus mutually re-enforcing.
INECE will explore this relationship through a series of four 75-minute webinar-based discussions. Each session will feature a 30 minute introductory presentation by one or two experts in the field, followed by 45 minutes of moderated discussion among participants. These sessions are open to all INECE affiliates. Future Discussion Series will be a benefit reserved for Institutional, Associate, and Individual Members. For more information, please visit the Become a Member page. The presentation portion of the webinars will be recorded and posted on the INECE website.
Schedule and Topics
1. ESIA and Enforcement at the National Level
Tuesday, April 17, 9:00 am – 10:15 am EST
Speakers: Gunnar Baldwin, Jr., Senior Environmental Consultant; Davis Jones, Senior Environmental Consultant, Inter-American Development Bank
Description: This session will review the legal, social, and institutional frameworks related to ESIA and enforcement at the national / domestic level. Case studies will demonstrate best practices in fostering compliance with the terms of permits, and supporting enforcement through effective licensing and permitting.
To register for the first session, please click here.
2. ESIA and Enforcement in Transboundary and Regional Contexts
Tuesday, May 1, 9:00 am – 10:15 am EST
Speakers: Peter King, Head of Secretariat, Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network; Govinda Terra, Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA)
Description: This session will review ESIA and enforcement challenges in contexts where environmental threats cross borders, or where multiple authorities share jurisdiction. Case studies from the Mekong River Delta and Amazon River will inform discussion on approaches for effective regional governance.
To register for the second session, please click here.
3. ESIAs, Public Participation, and Environmental Compliance
Tuesday, May 8, 9:00 am – 10:15 am EST
Speaker (s): Caroline Giffon Wee, Social Sustainability Consultant, Inter-American Development Bank; Peter King, Head of Secretariat, Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network Description: The “social” element of ESIAs takes into account the effect of development projects on nearby communities. Meaningful consultation of stakeholders is essential for communities to understand project’s impacts, for the project team to consider stakeholder perspectives in project design and implementation and for the public to hold permittees accountable for non-compliance. This session will highlight good practice principles and elements of what is understood by “meaningful” in the engagement with stakeholders in the ESIA process.
To register for the third session, please click here.
4. ESIA and the World Bank’s New Environmental and Social Framework: Challenges and Opportunities
Date: TBD
Speaker: Charles di Leva, Chief Officer, Environmental and Social Safeguards, World Bank
Source: INECE
