Environmental Management Social Framework
Lead Executing Entity: Blue Bond and Finance Permance Unit
Through the Environmental and Social Management Framework, the RBB project identifies several critical risks and impacts associated with its implementation:
These include the degradation of coral reefs due to climate change and human activities, deforestation of mangroves, and the loss of biodiversity. The decline in marine habitat health adversely affects the fishing and tourism sectors.
The project acknowledges potential negative impacts on local communities, particularly those reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods. There is a risk of conflicts arising from resource restrictions and changes in land use.
The project areas include indigenous groups such as the Garinagu and Mayan peoples. Ensuring these groups’ rights and participation is crucial to the project’s success.
To address these risks, the ESMF outlines mitigation measures and details how to safeguard against risks. As part of the risk management framework, the RBB project is underpinned by a robust set of safeguards, stemming from WWF’s social policies, to ensure ethical and sustainable implementation:
This framework ensures that the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples are respected throughout the project. It outlines the principles, procedures, and organizational arrangements necessary to engage indigenous communities, obtain FPIC, and ensure they benefit equitably from the project.
The PF describes the process for identifying, designing, implementing, and monitoring activities that may restrict access to natural resources. It aims to ensure that affected communities participate in these processes and that their rights and livelihoods are protected. The PF includes measures for livelihood restoration and compensation for any economic displacement caused by the project.
This mechanism provides a transparent, accessible, and efficient process for addressing grievances and disputes related to the project. It ensures that stakeholders can raise concerns and have them resolved promptly and fairly.
