The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 03/15/2021 | Report No: ESRSC01913 Mar 15, 2021 Page 1 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Western Africa AFRICA WEST P175525 Project Name West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Environment, Natural Investment Project 9/8/2021 2/23/2022 Resources & the Blue Financing Economy Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) West Africa Economic and Ministry of Environment, Monetary Union Science, Technology & (WAEMU), Government of Innovation (MESTI), Ministry Ghana, Government of of Environment and Guinea Bissau Biodiversity (MAB), Public Disclosure International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Proposed Development Objective To strengthen the resilience of targeted communities and areas in coastal Western Africa. Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 117.00 B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project [including overview of Country, Sectoral & Institutional Contexts and Relationship to CPF] This project supports coastal resilience and sustainable development in West Africa. It builds on an ongoing project the WACA Resilience Investment Project (P162337) which includes two main parts: a) a regional integration Mar 15, 2021 Page 2 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) component working on common policy and implementation support, support to implementing common marine protocols, an regional observatory, and a regional implementation support unit; and b) national projects in six countries (Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, and Togo). This project replicates the original project, and includes: a) a regional integration component working on common policy and implementation support, support to implementing common marine protocols, an regional observatory, and a regional implementation support unit, and adds two new areas of regional integration specifically designed to support ESF implementation as a common policy under the regional institutions, and regional harmonization for implementing green procurement for climate resilience and coastal resilience to be harmonized among countries; and b) national projects in two countries (Guinea Bissau and Ghana). D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Detailed project location(s) and salient physical characteristics relevant to the E&S assessment [geographic, environmental, social] This proposed 2nd WACA Resilience Investment Project will finance activities in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau, and regional integration activities by the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). As in other West African countries, degradation of coastal resources and ecosystems in the two countries is accelerating due to increasing population pressure on the coast and climate change. The deterioration of the coast is leading to significant and potentially irreversible loss of critical ecosystems such as beaches and mangroves, which provide important coastal protective and social services (livelihoods, food, protection from storm surges, and timber). Ghana coast consists Public Disclosure mostly of a low sandy shore, behind which stretches the coastal plain. Except in the western region of Ghana where forest comes down to the sea, the plain is mostly flat and generally covered with grass and scattered fan palms. Ghana’s coastal wetlands include lagoons, lagoon depressions, swamps and marshes, and the intervening higher land within the coastal catchments. Along the coast, there are about 90 lagoon systems. Ghana has 5 coastal wetlands which are designated as Ramsar sites under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The coastal economy is driven in large part by exploitable natural resources vital for the entire country and resource-based economic development. Coastal livelihoods are diverse, including extractive industries (minerals mining, oil and gas production, forestry, cement production, aluminum smelting, sand extraction, thermal electricity generation, hydroelectricity generation, fishing, and salt production); plantations, cropping, and coastal agriculture (rubber, oil palm, coconuts, and farming of other export crops); and small enterprises.The project in Ghana is likely to target communities located near Pra River estuaries and the Volta River mouth. The population in this area has not benefitted as much from development as other coastal areas and is therefore in crucial need of resilience-enhancing interventions. The area is sensitive given there is not much scope for relocation inland, should that become a necessity in the future given erosion. Long term planning for climate change effects and subsequent resettlement needs is part of the dialogue with communities. However, exact locations of project activities are not yet known. Analytical work is underway to develop a Multi-Sector Investment Plan (MSIP) aimed at strengthening coastal risk reduction strategies and climate change adaptation in Ghana. The MSIP will identify coastal hotspots requiring interventions, and develop pre-feasibility studies for gray, green or hybrid options for physical interventions at three high priority sites to be incorporated into this project. In Guinea Bissau, most of the territory is flat terrain averages just 20 to 30 m above sea level, with low-lying plateaus in the east rising to 150 m. Guinea Bissau has an intricate shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean, with numerous estuaries that penetrate inland. Mangroves cover the entire coastal fringe. Interventions sites are likely to relate to both inside Mar 15, 2021 Page 3 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) and outside the relatively vast protected areas system. The project will focus on restoration of ecosystems, especially mangroves, to reduce risk of erosion and flooding; restoration of abandoned rice paddies and the water system; small-scale works for erosion and flood reduction including restoration of protective dikes and public infrastructure, community development activities (restoration of wells, schools, roads). Specific sites haven't yet been identified, but are expected to include coastal areas including the Bijagos and include social sub-projects for communities living within or in buffer zones or protected areas. Interventions will take place in a highly fragile coastal area of mangroves, with the potential of coastal flooding and erosion. Poorly designed and/or implemented interventions could exacerbate erosion downstream. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity The project is prepared in collaboration with national Governments of Ghana and Guinea Bissau and the WAEMU. As part of the ongoing WACA ResIP (P162337), the WAEMU contracted IUCN to establish the Regional Implementation Support Unit (RISU) to support implementation of country projects and coordinate regional technical activities, facilitate access to high level expertise, promote exchanges of know-how for E&S support to the six first WACA countries. The RISU has an environmental specialist and will recruit a Social Development Specialist. The proposed project (P175525) will extend additional resources for RISU support to Ghana and Guinea Bissau. In Guinea Bissau, an ad hoc commission was created by the Minister of Environment to prepare the project. Although the institutional arrangements remain to be discussed with the government, the project is expected to be anchored within the Ministry of Environment and Biodiversity. In Ghana, national implementing entity will be the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). The MESTI has a history of satisfactory performance in implementing several WB operations, though mostly under the WBG’s Operational Policies. On the other hand, in Public Disclosure Guinee Bissau the Ministry of Environment has no experience in implementing World Bank-financed projects, and several aspects of the ESF have not been addressed in standard ESIAs in Guinea Bissau. The expanded scope of the ESF such as stakeholder engagement, labor risks, sexual exploitation and abuse of sexual harassment (SEA/SH) risks, grievance management and measures to ensure social inclusion, however, will require targeted training, monitoring and technical assistance to support effective environmental and social risk management for both implementing agencies. Each participating country will establish Project Implementation Unit (PIU) responsible for environmental and social management at the national level. To ensure proper skillset with the PIUs for environmental and social risk management, they would be required to have an environmental specialist and a social specialist. . As needed the environmental specialist and a social specialist may be hired during the project preparation to support preparation of E&S instruments, in particular for first mover sub-projects to be ready for implementation once financial resources are flowing. II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) High Environmental Risk Rating High Overall, the project is expected to have positive environmental impacts by restoring coastal ecosystems, especially mangroves, to reduce the risk of erosion and flooding, including restoration of abandoned rice paddies and the water system. Notwithstanding, the environmental risk classification is proposed as High. This is to account for the project scope and nature, and environmental sensitivity, especially component 3, which will finance several activities, Mar 15, 2021 Page 4 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) including the construction of physical infrastructure. These interventions will take place in a highly fragile coastal area of mangroves, with the potential of coastal flooding and erosion and the fact that poorly designed and/or implemented interventions could exacerbate erosion downstream. Furthermore, a contributing factor to the high risk-rating is the weak or limited capacity, mainly in Guinea Bissau, regarding ESF assessment and implementation, and the potential redundancy/conflict of roles and responsibilities regarding coastal zone management. Furthermore, health and safety of the workers and the community would need to be considered and properly managed. Potential OHS risks and hazards that can be associated with the construction of physical infrastructure include: (i) exposure to dusts, fumes, and gases from potentially harmful chemicals which can cause significant breathing problems and lung diseases, (ii) exposure to loud noise due to frequent or excessive use of vibrating tools which can cause cognitive impairment, tinnitus and hearing loss, (iii) stress and fatigue due to frequent or excessive manual handling of loads, and (iv) physical injury. In addition, the project will be operating is highly sensitive areas (i.e. Mangroves) providing important ecosystem services. Poorly designed and/or implemented interventions in these areas could potentially exacerbate erosion downstream. Social Risk Rating High The proposed social risk classification is expected to be High. Key social risks associated with project activities include possible physical and economic displacement from the project activities in the short-term and losses of assets and/or income due to impacts from project activities; potential inter-communal conflict; potential labor influx that in turn may exacerbate the risks related to SEA/SH, Violence Against Children; social exclusion of vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the landless, elders and youth in the consultations process and access to benefits and development opportunities. Other risks include potential for child labor; community health and safety concerns; social fragmentation and disruption of traditional livelihoods. In terms of client capacity, there is variation in Public Disclosure institutional capacity and readiness at the national levels (including in the preparation and implementation of ESF instruments). The physical interventions in component 3 may require some physical and/or economic resettlement or may cause access restriction to resources in case of national parks or legally protected areas. This in turn may create local conflicts between the project beneficiaries related to benefit sharing, and the ability to eventually move to areas downstream that may still be at risk of flooding. Furthermore, contractor workforce can heighten risks of SEA/SH and facilitate the spread of communicable diseases to and from local communities (including COVID-19 and sexually transmitted diseases). The issues of labor conditions, SEA/SH, and universal access will need to be properly managed. A working grievance redress mechanism should be in place, both for the project affected people, and for the workers. Importantly, the project will include the SEA/SH Risk assessment in the site-specific ESIAs, and, where needed, an action plan will be included in the ESMP Prior to appraisal, Borrowers will prepare framework instruments (ESMF, RPF) to guide the elaboration of site-specific plans to address these risks as sub-projects are identified. A social risk assessment will be required as part of the ESMF to better understand risks and their magnitude. This High social risk rating will be revisited during project appraisal, when more information is available. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1. General Assessment ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Mar 15, 2021 Page 5 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) Overview of the relevance of the Standard for the Project: This project includes interventions on policy and institutions, site investments, social development, and a project management unit, which have primary positive Environmental and Social Impacts and are expected to result in increased resilience of targeted communities and areas in coastal Western Africa. The project aims to enhance the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities of the two beneficiary countries and to reduce the shared risks to which they are exposed. However, the project is also expected to have multiple adverse environmental and social risks and impacts, on already vulnerable coastal communities, which are mainly considered to be: (i) impacts to marine ecosystems resulting from the construction of physical infrastructure such as jetties and wave breakers; (ii) environmental impacts such as noise, erosion, wastes and dust from the construction of small scale infrastructure; (iii) environmental impacts from restoration of abandoned mangroves that may include temporary increase of soil erosion and runoff resulting from physical interventions on hydrological systems; (iv) environmental impacts resulting from promotion of alternative agriculture projects such as environmental contamination with agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides), soil erosion and resulting surface water quality degradation, land conversion and loss of natural biodiversity; (v) tidewater and marine ecosystems degradation resulting from oyster harvesting or farming; (vi) Occupational health and safety hazards and risks from small construction works, farm activities and ecosystem restoration works; (vii) Community health and safety risks resulting from the use of heavy equipment and agrochemicals; construction induced spread of diseases (COVID19, STDs, etc.), risk of fires at buildings with public access (schools), health risks related to wells rehabilitation and access to contaminated drinking water, risk of serious injuries at unprotected construction zones; (viii) land acquisition and physical and economic displacement (see ESS5 Section below); (ix) potential exclusion of vulnerable groups (e.g. women, artisanal and small-scale fishers, disabled, Public Disclosure elderly, coastal ethnic groups, if any who might be a distinct subset among coastal populations at risk from climate change effects such as erosion) from project benefits; (x) local conflicts among project beneficiaries related to benefit sharing; (xi) labor risks related to SEA/SH. Since exact locations, footprint and technical details of the sub-projects are not known at this stage, each participating country will prepare an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to provide guidance conducting environmental and social risk assessment and measures to address all identified environmental and social risks and impacts. A specific annex on agrochemical management will be part of the ESMF, which will make use of the general and sector-specific environmental, health, and safety (EHS) guidelines. In addition to the ESMF, if the location and technical details of any activity will be known during the preparation, site specific Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) including Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) will be prepared before appraisal. In addition to the ESMF, each participating country will prepared a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), a Labor Management Procedures (LMP) and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) to provide guidance for the preparation of appropriate site-specific instruments. Each country and WAEMU, will prepare an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) which will be agreed with the World Bank. The ESCP will include appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the WB ESSs over specified timeframes during the life of the proposed project. Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: The project will not rely on the Borrower’s Framework but will comply with all national environmental and social laws, policies and regulations. Mar 15, 2021 Page 6 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Each participating country, as well as WAEMU, will prepare a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), which details how to identify, meaningfully consult and include stakeholders in the project lifecycle. Meaningful consultations with all stakeholders throughout the project life cycle will include paying attention to the inclusion of all groups, which requires different modalities to ensure various groups are able to engage (e.g. women and girls-specific consultations will be organized in safe locations and facilitated by a person of the same sex). The SEP will identify and assess the level of project impact on stakeholders and their interest and support for the project; lay out an approach to build and maintain a constructive relationship, especially with project affected parties; promote and provide means for effective and inclusive engagement with the vulnerable groups throughout the project life cycle; ensure that appropriate project information on environmental and social risks and impacts is disclosed to stakeholders in a timely, understandable, accessible, and appropriate manner and format; provide project-affected parties with accessible and inclusive means to raise issues and grievances, and allow the client to respond to and manage such grievances effectively; and include a comprehensive M&E framework to monitor the implementation of the SEP. In cases where stakeholder engagement with local individuals and communities rely substantially on community representatives, the implementing agency will make reasonable efforts to verify that such persons represent the views of the respective individuals and communities. At the time of preparing the SEP, the project will review the country COVID-19 spread situation in the project areas and restrictions in place to design the most appropriate approach for engagement to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread during various engagement activities. During project implementation, the SEP will be continuously reviewed, and any major revisions effected to the SEP publicly disclosed to stakeholders. Public Disclosure The SEP will be prepared and disclosed as early as possible and prior to Appraisal. In both countries, key stakeholders include the affected coastal populations as well as national and local governments, donors, neighboring communities, private sector, civil society organizations (including fishery groups, representatives of ethnic groups in coastal areas, and representatives of vulnerable groups such as women and disabled), and academia. Key public sector stakeholders include: (i) In Ghana : Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Coastal Development Authority (CODA); (ii) in Guinea Bissau: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MASD), Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), BioGuinea Foundation. In the regional level: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa (RAMPAO), Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine conservation (PRCM). The SEPs will incorporate a comprehensive project wide Grievance Mechanism (GM) which will enable a broad range of stakeholders to channel concerns, questions, and complaints to the implementation agencies. The GM will include channels/procedures for SEA/SH complaints including multiple and accessible entry points, referral to GBV service providers and management of complaint in confidential and survivor centered manner. B.2. Specific Risks and Impacts Mar 15, 2021 Page 7 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) A brief description of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts relevant to the Project. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions This standard is relevant in the project context and relates to: (i) hiring and management of direct implementing agency staff; (ii) hiring and use of contracting and consulting services for project activities; and (iii) hiring and management of community workers for activities. The influx of workers into project sites is expected to be minimal and contractors are not expected to set up labor camps given the limited scale of work. Contracting firms will promote the use of workers from the project’s locality. Possible labor risk associated with the project may include poor labor working conditions, grievances over recruitment processes and selection, and discrimination and exclusion of vulnerable/disadvantaged groups. To manage labor related risks, each participating country and WAEMU will prepare Labor Management Procedures and contactors will be required to prepare Labor Management Plans (LMPs), where relevant. Among other measures, LMPs will define measures to avoid discrimination, and identify that all contractors and sub-contractors must ensure that there is no bonded or child labor employed during construction; include provisions to ensure fair wages in line with local legislation; and require contractors to establish a worker’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to allow prompt redressal of workplace grievances. Additionally, the risk of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) / Sexual Harassment (SH) will be assessed during project preparation and appropriate interventions designed to mitigate this risk. Occupational Health and Safety – Small construction sub-projects may include common construction hazards from local schools or buildings renovation, wave breakers and roads. This may include working at heights or roof work, small excavations, traffic of heavy equipment, traffic of backhoes and trucks, masonry and concrete structural construction, use of manual and power tools, electrical hazards, exposure to dust, fumes and toxic vapors (from Public Disclosure paint, thinners and construction adhesive or sealants), exposure to noise and vibrations. Mangrove rehabilitation may also include workers exposure to the traffic of heavy equipment, dust and noise as well as common biological hazards from outdoor work (attack from snakes, wasps and mosquitos). Outdoor workers may also be exposed to high temperatures and strenuous working conditions. Workers from Jetties construction may also be exposed to water surfaces and drowning. Agriculture workers are often exposed to the hazards from the use of pesticides, traffic of trucks and tractors, power tools and machines, hot temperatures and strenuous working conditions. Close contact with workers at construction sites can also facilitate the dissemination of COVID19 or other communicable diseases. Workers must follow specific protocols to prevent the spread of COVID19 such as distancing, hands washing, wearing masks, and screening of workers temperature. Guinea Bissau is also considered endemic region of Malaria and Yellow Fever. Workers conducting outdoor activities must be protected from vector attacks, that may include vector control and/or use of repellent. The ESMF must include a template with OHS specifications for small work contractors and the projects that may require full ESIA/ESMP must include detailed OHS requirements to address all foreseen hazards from the project. The Agriculture sub-projects are expected to involve family-based production, which is more difficult to address inherent OHS hazards and risks. Nonetheless these projects must include training and capacity building activities on OHS aspects for family-based production, including clear provisions against underaged people conducting hazardous works. Mar 15, 2021 Page 8 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management The project will support strengthening physical and social investments such as green infrastructure, grey infrastructure, buildings renovation, pollution abatement and waste management, social and community –driven development, and planned relocation initiatives. The different sub-projects can result in a variety of sources of pollution and impacts as follows: Jetties and wave breakers construction can result in temporary dispersion of sediments and consequently the increased concentration on the water column. Also uncontrolled extraction of rocks can result in soil erosion and runoff into rivers and water streams degrading water quality parameters such as BOD, Suspended Solids and dissolved Oxygen. Constructions of local infrastructure and rehabilitation of abandoned rice paddies can also result in temporary soil runoff to rivers and water streams. Noise and fugitive dust emissions, as well as hazardous or non-hazardous wastes can also be expected from construction sites. Agriculture projects can result in soil erosion and water streams contamination from unproper management of agrochemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, etc..) and inadequate disposal of empty containers. Currently Guinea Bissau does not have a system for disposal of pesticides containers, which are very often reused, burned or buried, and resulting in people, soil and water contamination. However, significant increases of the use of fertilizers or pesticides Public Disclosure is not expected as sub-projects would be small scale, and because Guinea Bissau traditionally relies more on organic/natural remedies for pest management. Sub-projects here might include transformation of fruits (such as drying mangoes), small gardening for local consumptions, improving the local benefits in the value chain of the fish markets. The project is not expected to have significant Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, and the main sources are expected to be related to vehicles and trucks during construction. The ESMFs will include guidance and measures to promote good agricultural practices, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and rationale and safe use of agrochemicals. Site specific ESIA/ESMPs will include technically and financially feasible measures for improving efficient consumption of energy, water, and raw materials, as well as other resources. Mitigation hierarchy will be applied to manage potentially adverse environmental and social impacts related to construction waste and other pollutants. ESS4 Community Health and Safety Impacts to community health and safety in Guinea Bissau are expected to be related to life and fire safety at school projects or other buildings with public access (community development projects), accidents related to the traffic of vehicles, trucks and heavy machines at small infrastructure projects (roads, wave breakers, small jetties). The management of agrochemicals at alternative agriculture projects can also result in impacts to local community health and safety if not done properly. Contaminated water from well restoration (community development projects) can also have a negative impact for the local community. Mar 15, 2021 Page 9 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) The impacts from each different sub-project must be identified and managed in accordance with the ESMF, the Social and Environmental Impact Assessments and respective Management Plans, depending on the risk category of the individual sub-projects. Preliminary risk screening for the project in Ghana suggests that the SEA/SH risks are low; an SEA/SH screening will be conducted for both countries as early as possible during project preparation. This will be assessed further as part of the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to be prepared prior to project appraisal. Fisheries and markets, among others, are prevalent locations for occurrence of SEA/SH in Ghana. Potential risks include an increase in transactional sex as a result of construction workers’ disproportionately higher wages within low income communities. Mitigation measures to minimize and respond to SEA/SH risks and impact from civil works will be carried out in accordance with the World Bank Good Practice Note for addressing SEA/SH risks related to civil works. This will include, among others, requirements in bidding documents and procurement contracts for contractor Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to include a Code of Conduct that prohibits sexual harassment and exploitation, training of workers on the behavior obligations under the Code of Conduct, and ensuring the project GM includes confidential mechanisms for SEA/SH complaints and an accountable framework for SEA/SH response. Workers mobilized for the rehabilitation works could be a potential pathway for spreading COVID-19 among workers and the communities. The project ESMF and ESMP will include clear procedures and mitigation measures to avoid or limit the chances of infection among project workers and the communities. The mitigation measures will follow the April 7, 2020 World Bank interim guidance on COVID-19 consideration in construction or civil works, stakeholder engagement tip-sheet, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on COVID-19 preparedness and prevention, and Public Disclosure national policies and directives on COVID-19 prevention and response. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement The physical activities in component 3 may require some land acquisition leading to economic or physical resettlement, or cause restrictions on land use or access to resources. Because the specific project sites are not yet known, Resettlement Policy Frameworks (RPFs) will be prepared for both countries and these will be disclosed prior to appraisal. The RPFs will guide the preparation of sub-project specific Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) during implementation. The RPFs will include provisions on eligibility criteria, procedures and standards for compensation, arrangements for consultations, and grievance management. Any site-specific RAPs will need to be approved, disclosed and implemented prior to start of any civil works. In case there are impacts on livelihoods, specific livelihood restoration measures will need to be included in the RAPs. Such measures will consider the diversity of livelihoods in coastal areas as well as to ensuring opportunities for marginalized groups, such as women, artisanal and small-scale fishers, disabled, elderly, ethnic groups. The project will support participatory planning activities (social subprojects) in an estimated 20-30 communities in Ghana on nature protection and conservation and alternative livelihoods. In the event that these social subprojects result in “planned relocation” of communities that have decided to move, the implementation of such relocation would be undertaken in accordance with a RAP/A-RAP, prepared as per the RPF and implemented prior to execution of planned resettlement. Mar 15, 2021 Page 10 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources This standard is relevant since the project will be implemented in coastal area which is particularly diverse in habitats many of which are unique in terms of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem goods and services. Project activities related to coastal infrastructure development, alternative agricultural production, could impact on local ecology and biodiversity. Vegetation clearance at sites and construction activities could lead to loss of vegetation and contribute to habitat fragmentation in the park, which could potentially affect critical habitats. As part of the ESMF, the Clients will carry out a preliminary assessment of the potential impacts of project activities on biodiversity and natural resources, particularly from activities under component 3. The ESMF will include guidance to prevent and mitigate the possible small, localized, and reversible impacts that may be expected from the necessary activities to achieve project outcomes, as described under ESS 1 above. If any significant impact is identified for any sub-project, a standalone biodiversity conservation plan will be prepared. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities The relevance of this ESS is not determined at project concept. As the project progresses towards appraisal, the Bank will undertake additional due diligence to determine the relevance of the standard. ESS8 Cultural Heritage This standard is relevant since some project activities may occur in areas where cultural heritage can be present. Public Disclosure Local communities maintain shrines, deities, sacred groves in local forested location, including forest reserves, etc., and have developed years of belief systems and customary practices around some of the sites. The ESMFs will include ‘chance find’ procedures for any archaeological heritage likely to be encountered during project activities. Subsequently, this will also be incorporated into contractors’ contracts and environmental, social, health and safety management plans (CESMPs) to require contractors to notify and closely coordinate with the relevant mandated Government authority for the protection of any cultural heritage found during construction, and in accordance with national law. Once the areas for construction are identified, the site specific ESIA will include a section on cultural heritage to ensure that there is no pre-existing or known cultural heritage sites that could be affected by the project. In accordance with ESS10, the Borrower will identify stakeholders relevant to the cultural heritage already known to exist or likely to be encountered during the project lifecycle, and carry out meaningful consultations, with national heritage institutions and local communities. When impact is unavoidable, adequate mitigation measures will be outlined in the environmental and social assessment instruments. Where appropriate, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan will be prepared and consulted upon with stakeholders. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries Not relevant as the project does not proposed to lend to FI Mar 15, 2021 Page 11 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways TBD OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas TBD III. WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE A. Is a common approach being considered? No Financing Partners n/a B. Proposed Measures, Actions and Timing (Borrower’s commitments) Actions to be completed prior to Bank Board Approval: Following documentation finalized and disclosed for both countries: - Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) - Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) - Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Public Disclosure - Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) - Labor Management Procedures (LMP) - Grievance Mechanism (GM) Possible issues to be addressed in the Borrower Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP): Preparation and implementation of site specific ESMP, and ESIA under ESMF for public works and; application of labor management procedures (including Occupational Health and Safety and GBV action plan) implementation of the Resettlement Framework and preparation and implementation site specific RAPs and potential Resettlement Process Framework, when needed. - Biodiversity Management Plan - Cultural Heritage Management Plan - Recruitment of E&S staff for the PIUs. - Implementation of SEP and GM. - Capacity building and training on agrochemical management In addition, ESF capacity-building will be prioritized. C. Timing Tentative target date for preparing the Appraisal Stage ESRS 30-Sep-2021 Mar 15, 2021 Page 12 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Contact: Peter Kristensen Title: Lead Environmental Specialist Telephone No: +1-202-473-4789 Email: pkristensen@worldbank.org Contact: Nicolas Benjamin Claude Title: Senior Environmental Engineer Desramaut Telephone No: +1-202-473-8872 Email: ndesramaut@worldbank.org Contact: Maged Mahmoud Hamed Title: Lead Environmental Specialist Telephone No: +1-202-473-4367 Email: mhamed1@worldbank.org Contact: Sajid Anwar Title: Environmental Specialist Telephone No: +1-202-458-8352 Email: sanwar@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) Public Disclosure Borrower: Government of Ghana Borrower: Government of Guinea Bissau Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Environment and Biodiversity (MAB) Implementing Agency: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) V. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects VI. APPROVAL Nicolas Benjamin Claude Desramaut, Peter Kristensen, Maged Mahmoud Hamed, Sajid Task Team Leader(s): Anwar Mar 15, 2021 Page 13 of 14 The World Bank West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (P175525) Practice Manager Aly Zulficar Rahim Recommended on 10-Mar-2021 at 09:41:30 GMT-05:00 (ENR/Social) Safeguards Advisor ESSA Nathalie S. Munzberg (SAESSA) Cleared on 15-Mar-2021 at 14:26:42 GMT-04:00 Public Disclosure Mar 15, 2021 Page 14 of 14