On October 18th and 19th 2016, Haiti reached a milestone in its evolution towards the sustainable management of its natural resources. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded ecological baseline assessment for the Three Bays National Park – a 75,000 hectare coastal marine reserve on Haiti’s North coast, was presented to great acclaim and significant national media … [Read more...] about New data for conservation planning in Haiti
Environmental and Social Safeguards
Three ways to improve the quality of infrastructure investments
We all agree that we want quality infrastructure, because we know that quality reduces project risks, increases availability and durability over a project’s lifecycle, improves customer experience and as such makes the infrastructure worth the investment. But how can we ensure quality? The IDB –as well as other development banks– uses a suite of safeguard policies to ensure … [Read more...] about Three ways to improve the quality of infrastructure investments
Four Things We’ve Learned about Environmental Governance in the Caribbean
The IDB has made a strong commitment to strengthening and using country systems for both fiduciary and non-fiduciary aspects of Bank loans. While notable progress has been made in the former, the latter, which include national systems for development effectiveness and environmental and social safeguards, require different approaches. Notably, and recognizing the diversity of … [Read more...] about Four Things We’ve Learned about Environmental Governance in the Caribbean
Are health and education projects truly “low risk” for indigenous communities?
When we think of health and education, we envision the well being of human beings, as these are essential elements for all of us to live a full life and reach our potential, both as individuals and as members of society. At the Inter-American Development Bank, projects in these sectors are usually classified as “low safeguard risk,” since their environmental impacts are often … [Read more...] about Are health and education projects truly “low risk” for indigenous communities?
Forget the smell and let’s compost!
During my work trips to Latin America and the Caribbean as an Environmental Specialist for the Bank, I discuss the importance of safeguards and sustainability with our clients and stakeholders. In that context I try to encourage innovative solutions to protect the environment, solutions that go beyond the minimum requirements. After working in solid waste management projects … [Read more...] about Forget the smell and let’s compost!