ESIA process - step 6 - Follow-up

Summary

This final video in the ESIA series focuses on the importance of follow-up in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Follow-up ensures that impacts are properly managed, monitored, and communicated during construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. The process begins with the project permit and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), with clear responsibilities and budget. Monitoring involves both the proponent and regulatory authority to ensure compliance and adjust measures when necessary. Stakeholder engagement, including feedback mechanisms, ensures transparency. This video concludes the series on the 6 steps of ESIA, highlighting the ongoing commitment to sustainability and equity throughout the project lifecycle.

Takeaways

• 😀 Follow-up is a critical part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process.
• 😀 It ensures the effectiveness of the ESIA process by managing, monitoring, evaluating, and communicating impacts.
• 😀 Follow-up occurs during construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of a project.
• 😀 The process starts with the project permit and the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
• 😀 The ESMP outlines how to manage environmental and social impacts during the project.
• 😀 Clear responsibilities, budget, and capacity must be established upfront for successful follow-up.
• 😀 Once the construction phase begins, the proponent must implement and monitor the permit conditions and ESMP.
• 😀 The regulating authority is responsible for monitoring the proponent's compliance with the ESMP and permit conditions.
• 😀 If compliance is lacking or monitoring indicates necessary adjustments, the regulating authority must act.
• 😀 Both the proponent and the authority communicate results to stakeholders, who can provide feedback or contest the findings.
• 😀 The follow-up process continues throughout the operation and decommissioning phases to ensure sustainable and equitable project management.

Q & A

What is the focus of the 6th video in the ESIA series?

The 6th and final video focuses on the follow-up phase of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which is a crucial step in the process to ensure the effectiveness of impact management throughout the project's lifecycle.

Why is the follow-up phase considered essential in the ESIA process?

The follow-up phase is essential because it ensures that the environmental and social impacts of a project are properly managed, monitored, evaluated, and communicated during construction, operation, and decommissioning stages.

What are the key stages during which follow-up is necessary?

Follow-up is necessary during the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of a project to ensure that the impacts are continuously managed and adjusted as needed.

What is the starting point for the follow-up phase?

The starting point for the follow-up phase is the project permit, along with the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), which outlines how the impacts should be managed.

What should be ensured in good practice before the project starts?

In good-practice situations, it is crucial to ensure that responsibilities, budget, and capacity for managing impacts are clear and sufficient for the project's needs.

Who is responsible for monitoring the project's compliance with the permit conditions and ESMP?

The regulating authority is responsible for monitoring the proponent's compliance with the permit conditions and the ESMP throughout the project's lifecycle.

What happens if the proponent fails to comply with the permit conditions?

If the proponent does not comply with the permit conditions or if monitoring shows that the measures need to be adjusted, the regulating authority must take action.

How are the results of the monitoring and compliance activities communicated?

The results are communicated by both the proponent and the regulating authority to all stakeholders. Stakeholders should be informed about the progress and the effectiveness of the measures.

Can stakeholders provide feedback on the follow-up results?

Yes, stakeholders are encouraged to comment or contest the results through mechanisms such as a complaints system, ensuring transparency and accountability.

What is the goal of the follow-up during the operation and decommissioning phases?

The goal of the follow-up during these phases is to ensure that the project continues to run in the most sustainable and equitable way, with ongoing monitoring and adjustment of measures as necessary.