Challenge

To achieve financing of this major infrastructure project, the IFC requires compliance with national and international environmental laws that include the protection of the vast biodiversity along and around the road where construction works will have an effect.

The objectives of PS6 are to protect and conserve biodiversity and habitats, encourage the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy and promote sustainable management of living natural resources.

Engain was commissioned to provide services to meet the IFC Performance Standard 6, and included review of detailed research and documentation. We analysed and checked compliance of:

• the project biodiversity mitigation plan incorporating a biodiversity monitoring and evaluation programme
• the project biodiversity action plan
• the biodiversity net gain and no net loss strategy.

Our scope of work was based upon ensuring that these documents and procedures met the standards set out in PS6, and the recommendations of the project’s Critical Habitat Screening Assessment.

Our initial task was to undertake a Gap Analysis of the draft Biodiversity Mitigation Plan against IFC PS6 and the Critical Habitat Screening Assessment, also with reference to the project’s Environmental Social Impact Assessment.

Potential impacts were averted where riverine crossings and riverine forests supporting rare species, including the Brown Mongoose, Green pigeon, Yellow-Backed Cephalopod and Burrowing Squirrel, could have been affected by the proposed construction project.

Achievements

• thoroughly and rapidly assessed the existing complex documentation, and targeted improvements to the Biodiversity Management Plan to meet PS6 requirements for project financing
• provided a focused Biodiversity Survey Work Plan identifying ecological survey activities, such as riverine forest habitat mapping, along the highway route and avoiding possible impacts to rare species and their habitats
• provided the resource to measure and audit biodiversity protection and biodiversity net gain, identifying clear lines of responsibility
• delivered an implementable biodiversity restoration and rehabilitation plan

Partners & Stakeholders

• Razel-Bec
• James Cubitt & Partners Ltd
• Government of Ivory Coast
• Environmental and Social Advisory Services Ltd
• Telos NRG Ltd