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Socio-environmental monitoring: How to drive the success and sustainability of development projects

July 11, 2023 por Alvaro Adam - Leticia Lopresti Leave a Comment


Have you ever wondered how projects financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are supervised in accordance with our socio-environmental policies and guidelines? Or even, what is the purpose of such supervision?

Socio-environmental monitoring and supervision is an exciting process: it involves monitoring, reviewing and reporting on a regular basis on the management of socio-environmental risks and impacts associated with a project. Rather than being an isolated process, socio-environmental monitoring is cleverly integrated into the governance scheme of project oversight.

Simply put, this process allows everyone involved in the project to be aware of the current status of socio-environmental risks and impacts. It also provides a solid basis for making timely and informed decisions, always with one goal in mind: the success of the project.

A complex subject

To ensure that we oversee the socio-environmental aspects of a project in the best possible way, we must begin by analyzing the complexity of the project in environmental and social terms, which does not always correlate with technical or financial complexity. There are several factors that contribute to the environmental, social and occupational health and safety complexity of a project, beyond its technical magnitude and its size. Some of these factors are:

  • Interventions in or near natural habitat areas.
  • Interventions in cultural heritage areas.
  • Interventions that have repercussions on indigenous communities.
  • Interventions on previously occupied land, which require involuntary resettlement.

Taking these factors into account, and in accordance with the IDB’s Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF), during the preparation stage of a project financed by the Bank, an initial assessment is carried out in which the project is assigned an environmental and social impact classification: category A, B or C.

Category A operations are those that have the potential to cause significant negative environmental and social impacts. An example would be a high-risk project that requires the resettlement of a significant number of families. Due to their potential impact, Category A operations are subject to comprehensive requirements, such as completing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

Category B operations are those that may generate moderate, but localized and short-term negative environmental and social impacts, for which effective mitigation measures are available. For example, the construction of a hospital that requires limited land acquisition and temporarily blocks access to local businesses during construction. Category B operations require less complex socio-environmental analysis.

Finally, category C operations are those that generate minimal or no environmental and social impacts. For example, the adaptation and acquisition of furniture for new educational centers. These operations generally do not require a socio-environmental analysis beyond the initial assessment. However, basic environmental and social management plans are necessary to address the minimal environmental and social impacts that may arise.

By considering these aspects and properly classifying operations, we can adopt specific socio-environmental monitoring approaches that are tailored to the unique complexity of each project. This will enable us to ensure effective management of socio-environmental risks and impacts, thus promoting sustainable development in all our activities.

Environmental and Social Management Plan: Guiding sustainability in construction

The ESMP is the key document that guides the socio-environmental management of a project during its execution phase. ESMP guidelines are developed during the project’s environmental and social assessment process and are included in the bidding documents for both construction and supervision of works.

Based on these guidelines, the contractor must develop a specific ESMP at the construction level, including the social and environmental management measures to be implemented, along with a clear definition of responsibilities and the necessary resources that must be allocated for this purpose. The supervision team will independently ensure that these responsibilities and resources are materialized during construction.

The structure and content of the ESMP will vary from project to project, depending on its complexity and the specific socio-environmental requirements that accompany it. For example, some projects may require specialized plans, such as cultural heritage management plans, resettlement plans or plans for indigenous communities. The implementation of these plans often requires the participation of technical specialists beyond those usually required on a construction site.

The ESMP should include at least the following aspects:

  • Legal framework, procedures and standards applicable at the national, international and financial institution levels.
  • Organizational structure and organization chart to manage the environmental and social aspects of the project.
  • Types of management and mitigation measures to be implemented during the project.
  • Allocation of human and financial resources for the socio-environmental management of the project.
  • Provisions for compliance, monitoring and reporting of socio-environmental management results, such as the results of field inspections, audits, routine monitoring and supervision visits.
  • Emergency response planning, including incident and accident reporting.

Supervision, monitoring and reporting: Ensuring socio-environmental compliance

The objective of socio-environmental monitoring is to verify the timely and effective implementation of the ESMP and any other safeguards instruments agreed for the project. In addition, it should identify changes in the socio-environmental management measures and, if necessary, require the contractor to supplement or improve the effectiveness of the agreed measures. Finally, it will provide technical guidance to resolve problems related to socio-environmental compliance or performance.

To adequately monitor the socio-environmental and occupational health and safety management of construction works, the supervision process must include the following responsibilities, among others:

  • Verify compliance with ESMPs within agreed timeframes.
  • Ensure that all contractor personnel, including subcontractors and socio-environmental specialists, are aware of their roles and responsibilities, and maintain regular interaction to ensure that responsibilities are carried out properly.
  • Conduct periodic socio-environmental monitoring and prepare reports as agreed.
  • Conduct field visits to monitor environmental and social issues.
  • Conduct occupational health and safety assessments and audits, including accident and incident reports.
  • Notify the executing agency of any significant non-compliance with socio-environmental requirements.
  • Verify that the contractor has an adequate grievance mechanism and report on stakeholder complaints and concerns.
  • Verify that the contractor adopts an occupational health and safety policy and implements worker safety provisions in all labor contracts.

In turn, the contractor will prepare a monthly written report to be submitted to the supervisors, describing the status of all environmental and social actions of the project. This report includes, among others, information on the progress of the execution of the work and compliance with the ESMP; main findings and obstacles in socio-environmental and safety issues for the period; summary of accidents occurred and complaints and claims received; and a corrective action plan, as appropriate.

The executing agency, must submit semiannual monitoring reports to the IDB covering environmental and social aspects.

A positive effect on the sustainability of our operations

The process of monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the management of socio-environmental risks and impacts plays a key role in preventing unexpected events. Overall, this process not only provides everyone involved with a clear picture of the status of risks and impacts, but also enables timely decision-making to achieve the operation’s objectives.

Continuous and rigorous monitoring enables us to:

  • Effectively implement ESMPs to achieve a positive impact on the environment.
  • Identify changes in social and environmental management measures, helping us to proactively adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Provide accurate technical guidance to address any challenges related to environmental and social performance or compliance.
  • Address stakeholders’ concerns and suggestions in a timely manner, thereby strengthening their trust and commitment.

In summary, social and environmental oversight and monitoring are not only critical to managing risks and impacts, but also provide us with the ability to adapt, provide guidance, and address stakeholders effectively. In doing so, we will be building a solid foundation for the success of our operations, allowing sustainability and responsibility to be the drivers of our progress.


Filed Under: Environmental and Social Safeguards

Alvaro Adam

Álvaro Adam is an Environmental Specialist in the ESG Unit at the IDB, he has nearly 20 years of experience providing technical expertise and implementing best industry practices to address complex environmental and social challenges across the project life cycle. He holds an MSc in Forestry Engineering with postgraduate studies in Agroforestry, and a Master's degree in Integrated Management Systems for Quality, Environment, Safety, Health, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Álvaro is also deeply passionate about promoting the circular economy, integrating One Health principles, and conserving biodiversity.

Leticia Lopresti

Leticia Lopresti a social safeguards specialist at the Environmental and Social Solutions Unit (VPS/ESG). She oversees high- and substantial-risk projects in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile. Before working at the IDB, she worked for 10 years as responsible for social management in works financed by international organizations in the private sector, as well as in the public sector, in Argentina. She has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Universidad del Salvador and has a graduate degree in Mediation and Resolution of Environmental Conflicts from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico.

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