24/05/2024
I AM JUST BUILDING A HOUSE… I DON’T NEED AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT? THINK AGAIN
Recently I had a long conversation with a potential Client who believed that an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMPs) was not necessary for his project. Well, he was also trying to drive down the consultancy cost 😊 “People are building similar structures in town and they don’t conduct Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs),” he insisted.
Well, I spent a good 15 minutes explaining about the regulatory requirements… all permits for a construction are provided on basis of an ESMP/ESIA Approval. I just had to; I needed the contract… ndalama ikuvuta patown.
But then, which projects require an ESIA/ESMP? The Guidelines for ESIA of 1997 provides a list of projects for which an ESIA/ESMP is required. Besides this, the Project Proponent is required to prepare a Project Brief to help the authorities (Malawi Environment Protection Authority [MEPA]) determine whether an ESIA/ESMP is needed or not.
Regardless, an Environmental and Social Assessment should be conducted for any project. Yes, even when building a house. Think of this, beside compliance issues and helping to mitigate environmental and social impacts, an ESIA/ESMP helps improve the project design and planning, it reduces project risks and costs and it supports sustainable development.
Precious
P/s Will explain more in the next post
