The Republic of Azerbaijan State Agency of Azerbaijan for Automobile Roads Regional Connectivity and Development Project (P174379) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) April 14, 2021 1|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Azerbaijan will implement the Regional Connectivity and Development Project (the Project), with the involvement of the State Agency of Azerbaijan for Automobile Roads (hereinafter SAAAR). The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter the Bank) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Republic of Azerbaijan will implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) along with the national regulations related to environmental and social norms. 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 Republic of Azerbaijan will also comply with the provisions of any other E&S documents required under the ESF and referred to in this ESCP, such as Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Environmental and Social Management Plan, Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), and the timelines specified in those E&S documents. 4. The Republic of Azerbaijan is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the agency referenced in 1. above. 5. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Bank by the Republic of Azerbaijan as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Bank will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 6. As agreed by the Bank and the Republic of Azerbaijan, 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 Republic of Azerbaijan, through SAAAR, will agree to the changes with the Bank and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Bank and the SAAAR. The SAAAR will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 7. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Republic of Azerbaijan shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts, which may include environmental, health, safety impacts, and labor influx. 1|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING Prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring reports on the environmental, Six-monthly throughout Project SAAAR social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited implementation to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, Contractor’s ESHS implementation, ESHS incidents, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS Promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident related to the Project which has, Notify the Bank within 48 hours after SAAAR or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected learning of the incident or accident communities, the public or workers including large scale of accidental spills of polluting and hazardous materials; occupational health and safety serious injuries; Subsequent report would be and road accidents. provided within a timeframe acceptable to the Bank, at the Bank’s Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate request. measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the Bank’s request, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. C CONTRACTORS MONTHLY REPORTS On a monthly basis during the SAAAR Contractors will provide monitoring reports including on environmental and social lifetime of contractors’ contracts. performance to SAAAR. SAAAR will ensure that contracts for civil works and supervision will including this reporting obligation for the contractors. SAAAR will provide monitoring reports to the Bank upon request. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 2|Page 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Establish an organizational structure (project implementation team) with qualified staff Established prior to Project SAAAR to support management of E&S risks including at least one Specialist in charge of Effectiveness. Environmental, Labor, Health, and Safety issues, and one Specialist in charge of Social Thereafter maintained and Stakeholder Engagement issues, to be responsible for ensuring full compliance throughout Project with the ESSs, ESCP and relevant instruments. implementation. 3|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBILE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT Implement the mitigation measures SAAAR Adopt and implement, in a manner acceptable to the Bank, the contained in the ESMF and ESMP project Environmental and Social Management Framework throughout Project implementation. (ESMF) which specifies rules and procedures for assessing environmental and social aspects of the project, including activities under Component 1 and under TA, advisory services and training, and for the development of site-specific ESMP Checklists for minor physical works under Component 3. Update, adopt and implement, in a manner acceptable to the Bank, the ESMP for the rehabilitation of Salyan-Bilasuvar secondary road. 1.3 MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS Salyan – Bilasuvar ESMP - updated based Update, adopt, re-disclose and implement the ESMP for Salyan- on the detailed design prior to finalization SAAAR Bilasuvar road of respective bidding package; implemented throughout the project implementation Screen activities proposed under Component 3 in accordance with the project ESMF, and thereafter, draft, adopt, disclose and implement the site-specific ESMP Checklists, as required, in a manner acceptable for the Bank. Site-specific ESMP Checklists prepared and disclosed before the start of respective tenders, in the course of the Project implementation 1.4 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS Incorporate the relevant E&S documents and plans, and the Prior to the finalization of bidding SAAAR Labor Management Procedures (LMP), into the ESHS documents. specifications of the procurement documents with contractors. 4|Page Thereafter, ensure that contractors comply with the ESMPs Supervise contractors throughout requirements/ESHS specifications of their respective Project implementation. contracts. 1.5 MANAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL ADVISORY CONTRACTS Incorporate the relevant aspects of ESS’s, including the relevant Prior to the preparation of procurement SAAAR aspects of the ESMF, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), the documents. Labor Management Procedures (LMP) and this ESCP, into the terms of reference of technical advisory contracts. Thereafter Supervise consultants throughout ensure that the approaches and outputs of the consultants Project implementation. comply with the terms of reference. 1.6 PERMITS, CONSENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS Obtain or assist in obtaining, as appropriate, the permits, Throughout Project implementation SAAAR consents and authorizations that are applicable to the Project from relevant national authorities. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES SAAAR Implement and update the Labor Management Procedures Implement LMP throughout Project (LMP) in a manner consistent with World Bank ESS2 and implementation. national legislation of Azerbaijan. 2.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM FOR PROJECT WORKERS Establish, maintain, and operate a grievance mechanism for No later than 30 days after the Effective SAAAR Project workers, as described in the Labor Management Date, establish, and maintain it Procedures (LMP) and consistent with ESS2. Ensure that throughout Project Implementation. employers of contracted workers have in place a functioning For contracted workers – ensure grievance grievance mechanism for their employees. mechanism is available and functional prior to commencement of works by the respective contractor. 5|Page 2.3 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) MEASURES Adopt, implement and update the occupational, health and safety Adopt and implement the Occupational SAAAR plan in a manner acceptable to WB and in compliance with the Health and Safety (OHS) requirements national legislation of Azerbaijan. The risk management measures throughout Project Implementation. will be identified based on a thorough assessment of the site- specific hazards. 2.4 PROJECT WORKERS TRAINING Require contractor to deliver training of contracted workers to At least once in the duration of the SAAAR raise awareness about their rights and obligations consistent with contract project LMP. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 WASTE MANAGEMENT Adopt, implement and update the waste management measures Throughout Project Implementation. SAAAR specified in the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), and Salyan-Bilasuvar ESMP as stated in 1.3 above. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY Adopt and implement measures and actions to assess and manage Inclusion of traffic and road safety SAAAR traffic and road safety risks as required in the Salyan-Bilasuvar road requirements into bidding documents - ESMP and site-specific ESMP Checklists envisaged under actions 1.2 prior to tendering of works and 1.3 above. Enforcement – throughout Project implementation Cause Contractor(s) to develop to the satisfaction of Supervision Develop plan - Prior to commencement of Engineer (where one is contracted) and SAAAR, and adhere to the works SAAAR method statement for traffic management. Adhere to the Plan throughout Project implementation 6|Page 4.2 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Ensure that Contractor(s) of major infrastructure sub-projects Develop measures – prior to start of SAAAR develop and implement Community Health and Safety Plan to works manage specific risks and impacts to the communities arising from Implement measures - throughout Project Project activities, including those related to Project workers and implementation labor influx. Ensure the Contractor(s) raises awareness of employees on risks Throughout Project implementation SAAAR related to and measures for mitigation of impacts on local communities. 4.3 GBV AND SEA RISKS Include in site-specific ESMPs actions to prevent and mitigate risks Prior to commencement of works SAAAR of sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (SEA/SH) in line with ESMF and enforce their implementation. This includes but implemented throughout Project is not limited to development and adherence to Code of Conduct implementation for all employees, GBV-sensitized grievance mechanism, awareness raising of all employees and community members on GBV risks and mitigation measures. 4.4 SECURITY PERSONNEL Ensure that any security personnel contracted under the project is Prior to engaging of security personnel SAAAR screened on history of prior abuse and adequately trained on use of Implement - throughout Project life force to prevent any risks to workers or communities. 4.5 TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY For sub-projects involving substantial infrastructure (e.g. SAAAR Prior to commencement of works rehabilitation of secondary road) hold awareness-raising sessions in each Project-affected community on the risks related to commuinty health and safety, and inform them of the rights and obligations of the Contractor as well as the avenue for grievance and redress. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 7|Page 5.1 RESETTLEMENT PLANS Where applicable, prepare, adopt, and implement resettlement Prepare and implement RAP prior to SAAAR plans (RAPs) in accordance with ESS 5 and consistent with the commencing respective Project activities requirements of the Project Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). Ensure that RAPs are approved by the Bank and fully implemented before carrying out the associated activities, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. 5.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Ensure that any grievances related to land acquisition, land use Throughout Project implementation SAAAR restrictions, impacts on private assets and livelihoods, or resettlement are included and processed via the project GRM. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT Adopt, implement and update the biodiversity management Throughout Project Implementation. SAAAR measures specified in the ESMF and Salyan-Bilasuvar road ESMP. Incorporate ESMPs’ provisions into respective design documentation, bidding documents and construction contracts ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES This standard is not relevant to the project. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 CHANCE FINDS Implement the chance finds procedure described in the ESMF and Throughout Project implementation SAAAR included in the Salyan-Bilasuvar ESMP and all site specific ESMP Checklists, involving earthmoving activities. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES This standard is not relevant to the project. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 8|Page 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION Implement and update the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Implement and update the Stakeholder SAAAR throughout Project implementation. Engagement Plan (SEP) throughout Project Implementation. 10.2 PROJECT GRIEVANCE MECHANISM Adopt, implement and maintain the Grievance Mechanism Implement and maintain the Grievance SAAAR throughout Project implementation. Mechanism throughout Project Implementation. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) CS1 As part of project launch activities, conduct ESF training for staff of Prior to Project Disbursement SAAAR SAAAR CS2 Training for Project workers on occupational health and safety Prior to commencing works SAAAR including on emergency prevention and preparedness and response arrangements to emergency situations, community health and safety including SEA/SH. 9|Page