ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of Uzbekistan (hereinafter the Recipient) shall implement the RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (hereinafter the Project), with the involvement of the Forestry Agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources (FA). The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient shall implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, to be carried out or caused to be carried out by the Recipient, including the timeframes of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, grievance management and the environmental and social assessments and instruments to be prepared or updated, disclosed, consulted, adopted and implemented under the ESCP and the ESSs, all in a manner acceptable to the Association. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision in this ESCP, the Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by FA or another ministry or another implementing agency, contractor, or any other entity or unit for the Project. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP shall be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the ESCP, and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by Association and the Recipient, through the FA, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient, through the FA, shall agree to the changes with the Association and shall update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP shall be documented through an exchange of letters signed between the Association and the FA. The FA shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the environmental or social risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Recipient shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 1|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING. Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring reports on the Monitoring reports: Every six months FA Project Implementation Unit environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, starting from project Effective Date, (PIU) team including but not limited to, the implementation of the ESCP, status of throughout Project implementation. preparation and implementation of E&S instruments required under the MTR: by midterm of the Project ESCP, stakeholder engagement plan, and the grievance mechanism. In implementation. addition, prepare and submit to the Association a mid-term report (MTR) Project completion report: 60 days prior and a project completion report. to project Closing Date. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS. Promptly notify the Association of any incident or accident related to the Notify the Association no later than 48 FA PIU team Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the hours after learning of the incident or environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, including, accident. inter alia, cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH), and accidents that result in death, serious or multiple injury and road accidents. Provide sufficient detail regarding the scope, severity, and possible causes of the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and/or supervising firm, as appropriate. Subsequently, at the Association’s request, prepare a report on the incident A detailed report of the incident would or accident and propose any measures to address it and prevent its be provided within fifteen (15) days, recurrence within an agreed timeframe. Include in bidding documents of unless a different timeframe is agreed contractors that prompt notification of accidents and incidents remain with the Association. inclusive under the contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). Other incidents and accidents not subject to immediate Within the preparation of bidding notification and reporting in accordance with this provision shall be documentation. included in the regular Project reports pursuant to action A of this ESCP. C CONTRACTORS QUARTERLY REPORTS. FA PIU team, contractors, Require contractors, subcontractors and supervising firms to provide Submit the quarterly reports to the subcontractors and supervising quarterly monitoring reports on ESHS performance including, on Association as annexes to the reports to firms subproject Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) / be submitted under action A above. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), LMP and SEP implementation in accordance with the metrics specified in the respective bidding documents and contracts, and submit such reports to the to the PIU/ 2|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority and/or Supervision Consultants (if they exist). Such reports shall be filed and submitted to the Association. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: a. Maintain throughout Project implementation effective staffing and a. Recruit environmental and social risk FA PIU team institutional structures to support the management of the Project E&S risks management staff (one Environmental and impacts. FA shall maintain one Environmental Specialist with Specialist, one Social Risk experience in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), one Social Risk Management Specialist, and one Management Specialist, and one Gender Specialist with strong experience Gender Specialist) as part of PIU within on gender-based violence (GBV) as part of the PIU team, all with terms of 30 days after Project Effective Date and reference, experience and qualifications acceptable to the Association. The maintain throughout Project PIU shall further engage GBV service providers, and train selected local implementation. officers and community members in areas where GBV services are absent. b. Mobilize additional staff on short-term or long-term assignment as b. As needed starting 90 days after necessary to manage the E&S risks of the Project in accordance with the Project Effective Date and maintained ESSs and ESMF institutional assessment/needs, including subject matter throughout Project implementation. specialists on biodiversity, forestry management, environmental and social impact assessment, GBV including sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (SEA/SH), labor conditions (including prevention of child and/or forced labor, health & safety), land tenure, and social inclusion, all with terms of reference, experience and qualifications acceptable to the Association. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT: a. Draft ESMF acceptable to the a. Conduct scoping of key environmental and social risks and impacts of Association has been prepared, FA PIU team the Project and identify appropriate mitigation measures as further consulted on, adopted and disclosed described in 1.3 and 5.2 in accordance with the Environmental and Social locally prior to Project Appraisal Management Framework (ESMF), Process Framework & Resettlement completion. Final ESMF has been Policy Framework (PF&RPF) and the ESSs, in a manner acceptable to the redisclosed prior to Project Association. Negotiations. The ESMF shall be b. Screen any proposed Project activities in accordance with the ESMF implemented throughout Project prepared for the Project, and, thereafter, draft, disclose, consult upon, implementation. adopt, and implement the subproject ESIA/ ESMP, and any other instruments as the ESMF requires, consistent with ESSs, for the respective b. Screening and E&S instruments to be Project activities, in a manner acceptable to the Association. All activities adopted prior to commencement of that may lead to high E&S risks shall be excluded from the Project and ineligible relevant Project activities. Thereafter, for Project financing, in particular all activities that might involve in involuntary E&S instruments to be complied with 3|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority land acquisition (i.e. physical displacement) as detailed in Section 1.4 below and and implemented throughout Project the exclusion list in the ESMF. implementation. c. The site-specific documents shall be disclosed to stakeholders, including c. Before commencement of relevant local communities, consistent with ESS10 and in accordance with the Project activities, throughout Project Stakeholder Engagement Plan. implementation. 1.3 MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS: Finalize, consult on, redisclose, adopt, and implement the ESMF prepared ESMF finalized, consulted upon, FA PIU team for the Project, satisfactory to the Association, to screen and manage the adopted and redisclosed prior to Project environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project in accordance Negotiations. Thereafter, implement with the ESSs. The ESMF should outline the guiding principles of ESMF throughout Project environmental and social screening, assessment, review, management, and implementation. monitoring procedures for all envisaged activities. The ESMF shall be disclosed in country in both English and the local language(s) on the FA Subproject ESIAs/ESMPs and any website and external website of the Association. other instruments to be adopted and disclosed prior to commencement of Project activities and implemented throughout Project implementation. 1.4 EXCLUSIONS: The following type of activities shall not be eligible for finance under the These exclusions shall be applied as FA PIU team Project: part of the assessment process  Activities that might cause long-term, permanent and/or conducted under action 1.2. above. irreversible adverse environmental impacts;  Significant loss or conversion of natural habitats;  Introduction of non-native plants or animals that pose a risk of becoming aggressively invasive species;  Activities that have high probability of causing serious adverse effects to human health and/or the environment (biodiversity);  Activities that cause harm to an area of international importance or cultural heritage and archaeological sites identified by UNESCO and/or the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan  Activities within Protected Areas that are not consistent with the valid Management Plans for those areas;  Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict; 4|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority  Activities that require involuntary resettlement of people or their dwellings;  Activities with adverse impacts on physical cultural resources; and  All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. 1.5 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS: As part of the preparation of Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including, inter alia, the procurement documents and respective FA PIU team relevant E&S instruments, the Labor Management Procedures, and code of contracts. conduct, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors, subcontractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors, subcontractors and supervising firms comply and cause subcontractors to comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. Supervise contractors throughout Develop and implement procedures for managing Project workers, Project implementation. contractors, and subcontractors. This shall include the following: a) Environmental and social requirements, consistent with sub-project specific ESIA/ESMP and LMP, shall be included in the During procurement process as procurement and contracting process, including bidding documents, relevant, and before commencement of for potential civil works. subproject activities, thereafter, b) Relevant requirements shall be included in contracts and maintained throughout Project subcontracts consistent with the requirements of ESSs. implementation. c) Codes of conduct shall be required for contractors, subcontractors, primary suppliers, and their workers. d) Preparation of detailed ESMPs that are costed, with enough budget to adequately mitigate E&S risks. e) FA shall monitor contractor commitment and compliance with ESSs Throughout Project implementation and contract and subcontract terms as applicable. f) Establish grievance mechanisms for contractors and subcontractors, workers, affected communities and other stakeholders to handle concerns and complaints. g) Ensure and require that contractors follow site-specific ESMPs and integrate/annex the relevant areas into contracts for civil works or landscape restoration. h) Ensure and require that contractors, subcontractors and supervising firms adopt and implement a subproject LMP consistent with the Project LMP and ESS2. 5|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority 1.6 PERMIT, CONSENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS: Obtain or ensure that contractors obtain, as appropriate, the permits, Obtain permits, consents and FA PIU team consents, and authorizations that are applicable to the Project from relevant authorizations prior to initiating national authorities, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and activities, and thereafter comply with with the ESMF. these permits, consents and  Comply and cause contractors to comply, as appropriate, with the authorizations throughout Project conditions established in these permits, consents, and implementation. authorizations throughout Project implementation.  Obtain Clearances from authorities of Uzbekistan as necessary.  Obtain non-objections from the Association as set out in the ESMF or otherwise necessary. 1.7 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Throughout Project implementation. FA PIU team Ensure that the consultancies, studies, capacity building, training, and any other technical assistance activities under the Project are carried out in accordance with terms of reference acceptable to the Association, that are consistent with the ESSs. Thereafter ensure that the outputs of such activities comply with the terms of reference. 1.8 CONTRACTOR’S PERSONNEL: Throughout Project implementation. FA PIU team / Contractors Contractor, subcontractors and supervising firms to appoint ESHS (Environmental, Social, Health and Safety) specialist/s to oversee requirements of the ESCP, ESMF and relevant supporting management plans on site. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES (LMP): Finalize, adopt, and implement the LMP for the Project in accordance with LMP is prepared prior to appraisal and FA PIU team ESS2 to the satisfaction of the Association including, inter alia, provisions is finalized and disclosed prior to on working conditions, management of workers relationships, occupational Project Negotiations and implemented health and safety (including personal protective equipment, and emergency throughout Project implementation. preparedness and response), code of conduct (including relating to SEA and SH), forced labor, child labor, grievance arrangements for Project workers, and applicable requirements for contractors, subcontractors, and supervising firms. FA shall ensure compliance with the LMP by all Project workers and contracted firms and institutions. If the Project activities include community workers, the LMP shall be updated prior to engaging community workers in accordance with the relevant requirements of ESS2 and in a manner acceptable to the Association. 6|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority 2.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES (OHS): FA PIU team Ensure contractors, subcontractors and supervising firms prepare and Adopt measures prior to engaging implement occupational health and safety measures in accordance with Project workers, and implement them ESS2 and the World Bank Group EHS Guidelines specified in the ESMF, throughout Project implementation LMP and subproject ESIA/ESMPs. 2.3 WORKERS WORKING ENVIRONMENT: FA PIU team Ensure a non-discriminatory, decent work environment for all Project Adopt measures prior to engaging workers, consistent with ESS2, including by ensuring that all Project Project workers, and implement them workers adhere to the ESHS code of conduct. throughout Project implementation 2.4 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS: FA PIU team Establish and operate a grievance mechanism for Project workers, as GM to be operationalized within 30 described in the LMP and consistent with ESS2. Require contractors to days of Project Effective Date and establish, maintain, and operate a grievance mechanism for contracted maintained thereafter throughout workers, as described in the LMP and consistent with ESS 2. Project implementation. 2.5 PROJECT WORKERS TRAINING: FA PIU team Complete trainings prior to start of civil Require contractors to train contracted workers on Environment, Social, works, and regular refresher trainings Health and Safety (ESHS) aspects relevant to the project to heighten awareness about their contractual obligations. thereafter throughout Project implementation. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Resource efficiency and pollution prevention and management measures To be adopted prior to commencement FA PIU team shall be adopted under the ESIAs and/or ESMPs to be prepared under of relevant Project activities and action 1.3 above, and shall also include, as needed, development of implemented throughout Project specific sub-management plans (such as Pest Management Plan, Waste implementation. Management Plan, Water and Wastewater Management Plan, Hazardous Materials Management Plan). ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY FROM CONSTRUCTION AND CONFLICT IMPACTS: Measures to be adopted prior to The measures and actions necessary to assess and manage Project activity initiating Project activities, and FA PIU team specific risks and impacts on communities in accordance with ESS4 shall thereafter maintained throughout be spelled out in the ESMF and subsequent subproject ESMPs. Project implementation. 7|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Material Measures and Actions Timeframe Responsible Entity/Authority 4.2 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY: In consultation with the host communities, adopt and implement measures Site specific plans to be prepared before FA PIU team and actions to assess and manage traffic and road safety risks – including subproject activity is initiated and those resulting from movement of Project related vehicles transporting implemented and maintained Project workers and any project related goods and materials – on Project throughout Project implementation. workers and the community, as required in the Project ESMF and subproject General traffic and road management ESMPs. plan to be prepared as annex to the ESMP. Maintained throughout Project implementation. 4.3 SEA AND SH RISKS: Prepare, consult, disclose, and thereafter implement a SEA/SH Action Plan Submit the SEA/SH Action Plan no FA PIU team and Code of Conduct as part of the Contractor’s ESMP to assess and later than 60 days of effective date for manage the risks of SEA and SH. the Association’s prior review and no objection, adopt, and disclose the Plan before the preparation of the procurement documents. Once adopted, implement the Plan throughout Project implementation. 4.4 TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY: As outlined in the ESMF and SEP, FA shall ensure trainings are delivered Prior to initiating Project activity, with FA PIU team to the Project workers and the community to heighten their awareness on regular refresher training, maintained Project-related environmental and social risks and impacts and mitigation throughout Project implementation. measures, including trainings on (not exhaustive):  Communicable diseases, including COVID-19  HIV-AIDS/STI/GBV/SEA/SH and Child/Forced labor awareness and prevention  Community grievance mechanism as described in the SEP/ ESMF/ Framework for Addressing GBV/SEA/SH.  Environmental and social requirements and good practices to be followed at construction sites. 8|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 LAND ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT: a. Before commencement of proposed FA PIU team a. The Project does not anticipate land acquisition and involuntary subprojects and activities, maintained resettlement causing physical displacements due to direct Project throughout Project implementation. construction works. The ESMF must include respective screening procedures to be implemented by the Project. Any proposed subprojects and activities must be screened against potential involuntary resettlement impacts in accordance with the ESMF. Subprojects and activities that would involve involuntary resettlement must be excluded. Livelihood impacts related to access restrictions to land, pastures, forests, and other natural resources, both within and outside of protected areas, shall be mitigated as further described in Section 5.2. b. The voluntary land transaction guidelines and the outlined process b. However, if land is needed for the Project, it shall be acquired only shall be followed and documented to through voluntary land transactions consistent with ESS5. The voluntary the satisfaction of the Association for land transaction must follow the procedures outlined in the RPF and be each subproject activities involving consistent with requirements outlined in ESS5. voluntary land transaction. This process shall be adopted and implemented prior to commencement of any Project activity. 5.2 PROCESS FRAMEWORK and RESETTLEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK (PF&RPF): FA PIU team Prepare, consult upon, and disclose the PF&RPF in a manner acceptable to The draft PF&RPF has been prepared, the Association. The PF&RPF prepared for the Project shall be disclosed and consulted on prior to implemented to mitigate the risks and impacts related to restrictions of Project Negotiations. The PF&RPF access to land, pastures, forests and other natural resources that would cause shall be implemented throughout a community or groups within the community to lose or curtail their pre- Project implementation. existing livelihoods—both in legally designated protected areas and in any other lands to be restored under the Project. The PF&RPF shall be prepared in a participatory manner with the affected communities, further consulted upon with other interested parties, and disclosed and applied by FA. 9|Page RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Identify and assess biodiversity related risks and impacts within the scope Identified and incorporated prior to FA PIU team of Project activities requiring an ESIAs/ESMPs, as per the project ESMF, finalization of the bidding documents and in a manner acceptable to the Association. for Project activities. Adopt and implement measures to address biodiversity related risks and impacts within the scope of specific ESMPs, as per the Project ESMF, and Implemented throughout the Project in a manner acceptable to the Association. implementation. If needed, develop, adopt and implement, in addition to E&S documents mentioned above, Project Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP), as per the Project ESMF, consistent with ESS6 and in a manner acceptable to the Association. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES The standard is not relevant to the Project based on the screening against ESS 7. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 In accordance with the guidance of the ESMF prepared for the Project: (i) Identified and incorporated prior to FA PIU team identify and assess adverse risks and impacts of proposed Project activities finalization of the bidding documents on cultural heritage under respective sub-project ESIAs/ESMPs; (ii) for Project activities. identify, adopt and implement measures (including incorporation into the design of subproject structures and activities) to avoid such risks and Implemented throughout the Project impacts. implementation. Prepare, adopt, and implement the chance finds procedure described in the ESMF developed for the Project. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES This standard is not relevant, as the project has no financial intermediaries. 10 | P a g e RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Adopt and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent Draft SEP was prepared, disclosed, FA PIU team with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association, which shall include and consulted on prior to appraisal; measures to, inter alia, provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, and updated version has been understandable and accessible information, and consult with them in a redisclosed prior to Project culturally appropriate manner, which is free of manipulation, interference, Negotiations. coercion, discrimination and intimidation. Following the Project SEP, and prior to Project activities implementation, Stakeholder engagement activities Project specific stakeholder engagement activities program shall be program shall be prepared prior to prepared and implemented, making use of different, culturally appropriate Project activity implementation. communication approaches which also ensure communication with the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR THE PROJECT: Update, adopt, maintain and operate a grievance mechanism (GM), as GM shall be operationalized within FA PIU team described in the SEP to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and 30 days of Project Effective Date. grievances in relation to the Project, promptly and effectively, in a transparent manner that is culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all Project-affected parties, at no cost and without retribution, including concerns and grievances filed anonymously, in a manner consistent with ESS10. The grievance mechanism shall be equipped to receive, register, and facilitate the resolution of SEA/SH complaints, including through the referral of survivors to relevant gender-based violence service providers, all in a safe, confidential, and survivor-centered manner. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 Training to be provided to relevant staff of FA, PIU staff and other Within the first year of the project FA PIU team involved agencies on: implementation, in order of  Preparation of site-specific ES instruments and specific aspects of relevance, followed by, at minimum, environmental and social assessment as described in the ESMF annual refresher trainings as needed  Biodiversity management issues and best practices throughout project implementation.  Relevant OHS issues including COVID-19 precautions  SEA/SH Action Plan, SEP and GM implementation  LMP  Prevention of and response to SEA/SH 11 | P a g e RESILAND CA+ Program: Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (P174135) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan CS2 Training for Project workers on: The trainings shall be delivered at the FA PIU team and Contractors  Environmental and social requirements and good practices to be commencement of engagement of followed at construction sites Project workers, followed by, at  OHS including on emergency prevention and preparedness and minimum, one annual refresher response arrangements to emergency situations training.  COVID-19 infection safety awareness, community health and safety  SEA/SH risk prevention and LMP  Engagement and GM 12 | P a g e