Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation Project (P173043) Environmental and Social Commitment Plan Negotiated: 4 February 2022 1|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. Solomon Islands (hereinafter the Recipient) shall implement the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation Project (P173043) (the Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL). The MAL shall lead and collaborate with other relevant governmental agencies/department/units at the national, provincial, and local levels on the Project Implementation as may be necessary. 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 following the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all the ESCP’s requirements even when the implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry referenced in paragraph 1. above. 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 shall monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout the implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, 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 the assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient, through MAL, 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 by exchanging letters signed between the Association and MAL. MAL shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the 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. 2|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Six-monthly throughout Project MAL. Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring reports on implementation. the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, the status of preparation and implementation of environmental and social (E&S) instruments (e.g., Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Labor Management Procedures (LMP)) required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log, Agri-business Producer Organizations (ABPOs) (as defined in the Financing Agreement for the Project) and/ contractor’s ESHS implementation, ESHS incidents, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Minor incidents shall be reflected in the six- MAL. a. Notify the Association of any incident or accident related to the monthly reports to the Association required Project, which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse to be delivered throughout Project effect on the environment, the affected communities, the implementation. Major issues and/or public, or workers. severe incidents shall be reported to the Association within 24 hours of their b. Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, occurrence. indicating immediate measures taken or planned to be taken to Other reports shall be provided to the address it, and any information provided by any contractor and Association upon its request. supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the Association’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. These activities are outlined in the Project’s Grievance Mechanism. 3|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY C CONTRACTORS REPORTS Serious and severe incidents to be reported MAL. a. Require (via inclusion in ESHS specifications for bidding to the Permanent Secretary (technical) at documents) the contractor to notify MAL of any incident or MAL or her/his alternate and the accident related to the Project, which has, or is likely to have, a Association within 24 hours of their significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected occurrence throughout Project communities, the public, or workers. implementation. Minor incidents shall be reflected in the monthly reports to be b. Require (via inclusion in ESHS specifications for bidding delivered to the Association throughout documents) contractors to provide monthly monitoring reports Project implementation and shared with to MAL. Submit such reports to the Association upon request. the Association monthly. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: - Environmental, Social, Health and MAL including MAL Headquarter (HQ) in Establish and maintain a Project Management Unit (PMU) in MAL in Safety, and Community Honiara and the Provincial MAL (or the accordance with the Financing Agreement. The PMU shall be led by the Engagement Consultants to be Provincial Project Teams) in the targeted Deputy Secretary (technical) under the guidance of Permanent recruited within six months after provinces which are part of the one Secretary, with qualified staff and resources to support the the effective date of the Financing National Ministry (or the MAL structure1). management of ESHS risks and impacts of the Project. Agreement for the Project a. Recruit and retain two full time local Environmental, Social, (Effective Date) and maintained Health and Safety, and Community Engagement Consultants (or throughout Project Environment and Social Consultants), with terms of reference implementation. acceptable to the Association, including one consultant for environmental risk management and another consultant for social risk management. Depending on the availability of appropriately qualified local staff, MAL may instead recruit one full time local environmental and social risk management 1 To coordinate project activities at the provincial and community level, a Provincial Project Team (PPT) will be set up in each Project Province. The PPT will collaborate with the PMU, with the PMU managing daily implementation and management of the project and PPTs managing coordination at a provincial level. The PPT will also serve as interface and focal point for mainstreaming project activities with provincial authorities’ development plans and investments. See details in the Appraisal ESRS and PAD. 4|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY consultant and one part time international environmental and - E&S Focal Points have been social risk management consultant. Appoint one Focal Point for appointed by MAL from August environmental risk management and one Focal Point for social 2020, and shall be maintained risk management in MAL. throughout Project implementation. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS a. E&S screening reports have been MAL. AND INSTRUMENTS approved by the E&S Consultants or a. Screen proposed project activities using the environmental and social provincial MAL before the carrying out screening processes outlined in the ESMF to confirm environmental the relevant Project activities, and and social risks and the instruments required. thereafter throughout the carrying out b. Adopt and implement any Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP) or of such activities. other E&S instruments required for the respective Project/subproject activities based on the environmental and social screening or b. Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP) assessment process, following the ESMF and other relevant Good or other E&S instruments are adopted International Industry Practice (GIIP) including the WBG EHS at the subproject-level before the guidelines for Crop Production, Livestock Production, Poultry carrying out the relevant Project Production and Processing, and Resource efficiency with the focus on activities, and thereafter throughout sustainability, all in a manner acceptable to the Association. the carrying out of such activities. c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any instruments or other measures required under the ESCP and any a. Before launching the procurement other ESS requirements into the ESHS specifications of the process for the relevant Project procurement documents and contracts with contractors. activities, and thereafter throughout Ensure that the contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of the carrying out of such activities. their respective contracts. 1.3 MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS (PROJECT LEVEL) ESMF, LMP, and SEP (each dated 4 MAL. Update, adopt and implement the following set of prepared and February 2022) have been prepared, disclosed E&S instruments as required for Project purposes (e.g., if disclosed and adopted and shall be further updates are required by the Association): implemented in accordance with the 1. ESMF; respective terms of each such instrument 2. LMP; and throughout Project implementation. 3. SEP. 5|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY -Screen each sub-project following the ESMF procedures. Include ECOP Location-specific and sub-project specific and/or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and ESMPs and other instruments shall be Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) requirement in prepared and approved by MAL/Provincial bidding documents via preparation of ESHS specifications for bidding MAL before submission to the Association documents) for review and no-objection before the approval of the subproject and -Prepare, disclose, and implement the subproject instruments required commencement of any subproject by the ESMF based on the screening process. Subproject instruments activities. include, but are not limited to: • ECOP for agriculture and livestock production or processing or -heritage and UXO Chance Finds small infrastructures; Procedures to be updated, adopted and • Pest Management Plan; implemented, as necessary, throughout • ESMP as required by ESMF screening procedures; Project implementation. • Operational management plans to address specific project risks as required (Waste Management Plans, Operational Management Plans for smallstock slaughter slabs); • ESIA as required by ESMF screening procedures; • SEP; and • LMP. - Ensure that TORs and outputs of TA activities under the project are drafted for review by the Association so that the advice and other support provided is consistent with ESSs 1-10 as relevant -Update, adopt, and implement the heritage chance finds procedure described in the ESMF developed for the Project. Chance finds procedure to be included in ESHS specification for works contracts. -Adopt, implement and report that the construction sites are cleared of UXOs; a chance finds procedure for handling the UXOs shall be the responsibility of the contractor. 1.4 CONTINGENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE FINANCING a) The adoption of the CERC Manual, the MAL. a. Ensure that the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) Emergency Action Plan and any other Manual as specified the Financing Agreement for the Project includes documents required by the Association in a description of the ESHS assessment and management form and substance acceptable to the arrangements (including, if applicable, a CERC-ESMF Addendum) Association is a withdrawal condition under referred to in the CERC Manual for the implementation of Schedule 2 of the Financing Agreement for the Project. 6|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Component 4 (Contingent Emergency Response Component) of the Project, in accordance with the ESSs.) b) The E&S management plans or instruments shall be prepared, disclosed, b. Prepare, disclose, consult and adopt any E&S management plans or consulted, and thereafter adopted before instruments which may be required for activities under Component the carrying out of the relevant Project 4 (Contingent Emergency Response Component) of the Project, in activities under Component 4 (Contingent accordance with the CERC Manual and, if applicable, CERC-ESMF Emergency Response Component) of the Addendum and/or Emergency Action Plan and the ESSs, and Project. The E&S management plans or thereafter implement the measures and actions required under said instruments shall be implemented in E&S management plans or instruments, within the timeframes accordance with their terms, throughout specified in said E&S management plans or instruments. Project implementation. 1.5 EXCLUSIONS: These exclusions shall be applied as part of MAL. • Exclude the activities listed in Table 7.4 of the ESMF as ineligible the E&S screening process conducted for financing under the Project. under Action 1.2 above. 1.6 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS During contract negotiations and the MAL. a. Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including the relevant preparation of procurement documents E&S documents and/or plans, and the LMP, into the ESHS throughout Project implementation. specifications of the procurement documents with contractors. Monitor and supervise contractors b. Ensure that the contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of throughout Project implementation. their respective contracts. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: LMP (dated 24 May 2021) has been MAL. Adopt and implement the LMP that has been developed for the Project prepared, disclosed and adopted and shall and which includes: be implemented on its terms throughout • Occupational Health and Safety Project implementation. • Fair Treatment and Non-Discrimination • Prevention of Forced Labor and Restrictions on Child Labor • Workers’ Grievances 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Review and adopt, monitor, document and MAL. Review and adopt, monitor and document the existing grievance update the Grievance Mechanism mechanism for Direct Project workers, as described in the LMP and throughout Project Implementation. consistent with ESS2 requirements. 7|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Establish proportionate rules, to be included in the ESHS specifications of the bidding or contractual document to ensure that all contracted workers, community workers (e.g., members of the ABPOs, farmers, women-led farmers, and other project beneficiaries who are engaged in community labor whether paid or unpaid) are briefed or taught by the contractor about (a) their rights to express grievances; (b) where to address a grievance in the first instance; (c) what action they can expect as of right when a grievance is expressed; and (d) that they are adequately protected against sanctions or recriminations. 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES Before the carrying out the relevant Project MAL. Prepare, adopt, and implement occupational, health, and safety ( OHS) activities, and thereafter throughout the measures including compliance with the World Bank Group carrying out of such activities in the form of Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs), GIIP and national subproject ESMP and/or signing code of legislation at the subproject level. All vehicles and particularly boats shall conduct in the LMP Annex 1. comply with safety standard and be accompanied by safety equipment and training according to the national requirements. For project related travel via boat, safety equipment (including life Throughout Project implementation. MAL. jackets, epirb, radio phone.etc.) must be continuously available. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR DIRECT Within six months after the Effective Date MAL. WORKERS (allowing time for the OHS measures to Update, adopt, and implement the OHS measures for the direct workers reflect concerns of Project staff). (e.g., staff assigned by MAL, Consultant service providers such as E&S consultants and Young Professionals) outlined in the LMP. Risks (such as road safety, security, avoidance of infection) associated with travel to and work at remote sites shall be a vital focus of the OHS measures. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR CONTRACTED ESHS specifications to be included in all MAL. WORKERS contract documents for works and services Update, adopt, and implement OHS measures for contracted workers in entered into during the Project the LMP through the ESHS Specifications to be included in the contract implementation period. documentation. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Throughout Project implementation. MAL. 8|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Implement pollution prevention and management measures specified in the ECOP/ESMP for each subproject/location in compliance with The Safety at Work (Pesticide) Regulations 1982 and GIIP, including the following provisions: • Require the use of renewable energy technologies wherever appropriate, including for water pumping in preference to diesel pumps; • Require farmers to attend training on safe use and disposal of agriculture chemicals, solid non-biodegradable waste, and animal effluents as a standard element of extension packages; and • Avoid or minimize air, water, and land pollution and noise pollution from civil works through control of works, dust prevention measures, proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous site wastes and surplus materials, to be specified in the ESHS Specification. 3.2 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND Throughout Project implementation. MAL. MANAGEMENT: Include measures to manage wastes and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes including compliance with EHSGs, GIIP and local legislation as described in the ESMF. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. Adopt and implement measures and actions to assess and manage traffic and road safety risks for feeder roads in the ECOP/ESMP. 4.2 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. Prepare, adopt, and implement measures and actions to assess and manage specific risks and impacts to the community arising from the project activities and include these measures into the ECOP/ESMP and following the ESMF in a manner acceptable to the Association. COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY/PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS Throughout Project implementation. MAL. DISEASE TRANSMISSION 9|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Organize Health Awareness Training to project beneficiaries at all sites. The Health Awareness Training shall include (1) avoidance of water- borne diseases; (2) avoidance of vector-borne diseases; (3) avoidance of sexually transmitted diseases; and (4) preventing transmission of COVID-19. Prepare and implement a COVID-19 safety procedure to manage the Within 30 days after the Effective Date. MAL. risk of COVID-19 transmission. 4.3 GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND SEA RISKS: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. Support the existing formation and/or strengthening of Women and Children’s Committee structure with specific activity to identify and support victims of gender-based violence. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE, AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 RESETTLEMENT PLANS: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. Avoid land acquisition and involuntary physical or economic displacement as described in the ESMF. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES - 6 - BIODIVERSITY RISKS AND IMPACTS: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. . • Apply the IFC Good Practice Note on Improving Animal Welfare 1 in Livestock (p13), the animal welfare biodiversity or supply chain choice includes animal welfare, food safety, quality, human health, and the environment. • Implement the exclusion criteria in the ESMF to exclude such activities that involve any significant risks on biodiversity, animal welfare, land conversion, or legally protected natural resources. • Apply the slaughtering hygiene, health, and safety standards required under the FAO guidelines. • Adopt and implement the ECOP or other instruments required for the respective Project/subproject activities based on the environmental and social screening or assessment process, following the ESMF and other relevant GIIP to minimise biodiversity impacts associated with land clearing 10 | P a g e MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES - 7 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Review and adopt, monitor, document MAL. . Review and adopt, monitor and document the existing Grievance and update the Grievance Mechanism 1 Mechanism aligning with elements of ESS7 as the majority of the throughout Project Implementation. national population is indigenous. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION: Throughout Project implementation. MAL. - Ensure that community consultations shall be facilitated and documented by the project with the support of two environmental and social consultants aligning with ESS7 requirements. -Ensure that community consultations shall be facilitated with special measures considering any linguistic differences among the local population and using audio and/or visual material such as a simple leaflet to present the project and E&S aspects to the local people. ESS8: Cultural heritage - Not relevant. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES - Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: SEP (dated 24 May 2021) has been MAL. • Update, disclose, adopt, and implement the project’s SEP prepared, disclosed and adopted and consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the shall be implemented on its terms Association. throughout Project implementation. 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Review and adopt, monitor, document MAL. Review and adopt, monitor and document the existing Grievance and update the Grievance Mechanism Mechanism as described in the SEP. Project’s Grievance Mechanism to throughout Project Implementation. be operationalized and disseminated to stakeholders. 11 | P a g e MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 - CAPACITY BUILDING PLAN Throughout Project implementation. MAL. - Prepare, update, and implement the capacity building plan for E&S risk management as described in the ESMF, with the following outcomes: • All project staff familiar with all E&S instruments • Grievance mechanism established and operating effectively • E&S, risk management measures, integrated into sub-project designs • Contractors and suppliers understand and can implement their E&S obligations (e.g., through ESHS specifications) • Improved environmental health, safety, and sanitation to the project staff and beneficiaries CS2 - Training to be provided to targeted groups: Within six months after the Effective MAL. - Provide Training of project staff on the understanding of Date and throughout Project E&S risk management instruments, with refresher courses implementation. as needed. - Provide Training to contractors, suppliers, and project beneficiaries before site-specific Project activities and throughout Project implementation as needed, including but not limited to management of E&S risks, labour management and OH&S, resource efficiency and pollution management, community health and safety, biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of living natural resources and grievance mechanisms. 12 | P a g e