Attachment J.12 Initial Environment Examination (IEE).pdf

Asia Bureau

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROGRAM/ACTIVITY DATA

Country Code: 306 Program Area: Agriculture Special Objective: SPO: Improve livelihoods, with particular focus on women, youth, and climate change Intermediate Results: IR 4.1: Enhance Food Security Through

Climate-resilient Agriculture IR4.2: Increase Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Communities, Especially Women and Youth

Country or Region: Afghanistan Activity Name: Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA) Funding Period: October 1 2024 to September 20 2029 Life of Project (LOP) Amount: $60 Million (Estimated) IEE Prepared by: Atiqurrahman Jalil/ Date: April 10, 2024 IEE Amendment (Y/N): N

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION RECOMMENDED:

Categorical Exclusion [X] Deferral [ ] Positive Determination [ ] Negative Determination [ ] Negative Determination With Conditions

[X] Exemption [ ]

Climate Change Vulnerability Risk None [ ] Low [ ] Medium [ ] High [X]

1.0 PURPOSE, BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1. Purpose and Background

The purpose of this IEE is to provide threshold determinations for the proposed Women and Men in Agriculture activity to enhance the resilience of Afghan men and women who work in the agriculture sector so they can support their families and contribute to the wellbeing of Afghanistan’s economy through investing in its agriculture sector.

The IEE provides a brief statement of the factual basis for the Threshold Decision whether an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement is required for the subject activity.

1.2. Activity Description

After the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan went into an economic shock that led to increased prices of essential goods, and plunged rural communities into deeper poverty. Because

Asia 24-077 agriculture is the backbone of the economy, the rising cost of seeds and agricultural commodities, in addition to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women, have all worsened the overall agricultural situation and the circumstances of rural female farmers.

To address these challenges, USAID will initiate the Women and Men in Agriculture (WAMA) activity to provide support to farmers and agribusinesses in both crops and livestock value chains, along with economic interventions addressing the current food security crisis, support women-run agribusinesses and women farmers resilience. The Activity will also address the impacts of climate change and severe droughts on farmers, both men and women. The Activity’s potential areas of focus would be food security, women economic empowerment, business development, workforce development, climate change and demand driven components. This will be achieved through a sustainable market systems development approach that has potential to reactivate the rural economy.

The Women and Men in Agriculture activity will target and respond to the immediate needs of vulnerable farm households, especially women and farmers who transitioned away from poppy cultivation. The activity will increase the commercial viability of women-owned businesses and other critical value chain actors, producer groups, and small, medium, and large firms. All activities undertaken by the project will address and contribute to positive and measurable impacts on food security, value chains and women’s livelihoods. By focusing its interventions on key value chain leverage points, such as input suppliers, processors and traders that transact with a significant number of other value chain players such as farmers, and wholesalers, WAMA will best optimize, and scale-up system-wide impact to accomplish the following fundamental objectives:

Objective I: Food Security Improved through Increased and Inclusive Resilience, Productivity, Diversification and Stability of Agricultural Value Chains Objective II: Enhanced Communities’ Resilience to Climate Change-induced Shocks, specifically Water Stress Objective III: Women’s Economic Empowerment strengthened, and Objective IV: Selected Emerging Shocks and Challenges impacting the Agriculture Sector or Economic Growth are addressed to the extent possible. This is an Opportunity Response Mechanism (ORM)

Illustrative activities:

Objective I: Food Security Improved through Increased and Inclusive Resilience, Productivity, Diversification and Stability of Agricultural Value Chains

1.1 Improve access to and utilization of improved inputs and services

1.2 Increase adoption of production-enhancing technologies and enhance farmers’ technical capacity, especially farmers who transitioned away from poppy cultivation.

1.3 Enhance private sector extension delivery by partnering with local agribusinesses and input suppliers to provide extension services to farmers.

1.4 Strengthen commercial linkages within value chains

1.5 Establishment of greenhouses to cultivate cash/high value crops throughout the year.

1.6 Generate tangible income through the establishment of home-based nurseries.

1.7 Enabling rural women to engage in the production, utilization, and storage of highly nutritious food crops in their backyards by delivery of certified seeds and fertilizer to support food security and nutrition with a focus on vegetables.

1.8 Improve high value crop harvesting through cultivation, agriculture best practices, and reduce post-harvest losses and support processing.

1.9 Strengthen linkages between farmers, suppliers, processors, exporters and link them with the local and regional markets.

Objective II: Enhanced communities’ resilience to climate change-induced shocks, specifically water stress

2.1 Watershed Restoration and Productive Forestation;

- Empowering women through the establishment of women-operated nurseries to produce plant saplings.

- Promoting soil and water conservation through the establishment of terracing, and tree plantation.

2.2 Promote the efficient water use for Agriculture

- Desilting and cleaning of small scale irrigation canals to ensure efficient water use and minimize water losses

- Demonstrate high efficiency irrigation such as drip irrigation in drought-hit areas.

2.3 Promote Diversified Livelihoods for Climate-Resilient Communities

- Supporting the development of alternative income-generating activities to reduce communities' dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, i-e working on the apiculture value chain, supporting the development of small businesses, cooperatives, or social enterprises focused on sustainable practices, promotion of climate-Smart agriculture.

Objective III: Women’s economic empowerment strengthened

3.1 Increase access to finance and credit - Linking farmers and processors with financial institutions through access to credit.

- Establishing home based micro and small business enterprises through providing small grants

- Providing financial institutions with technical assistance and training to supply credit directly to women in the agricultural sector

- Access to working capital or zero interest loans

3.2 Business development and advisory support

- Assist women owned businesses in establishing their administrative, finance and management systems

- Facilitate market access for women owned businesses

3.3 Vocational and livelihood support services

- Provide vocational education and training based on market needs

- Sustainable livelihood support through apprenticeship program

- Improve technical skill and capacity of farmers and processors.

Objective IV: .Selected Emerging Shocks and Challenges impacting the Agriculture Sector or Economic Growth are addressed to the extent possible. This is an Opportunity Response Mechanism (ORM)

- This flexible component will enable USAID to respond to emerging challenges, unanticipated priorities, and unforeseen opportunities quickly and effectively. These must be informed by the Implementer’s risk and vulnerability analyses.

2.0 COUNTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION1

2.1 Locations Affected

The activity will be implemented in selected provinces through a coordinated approach with other donor funded and USAID activities to ensure the most vulnerable communities are reached.

2.2 Socio-economic baseline

Afghanistan is located in Greater Central Asia, north and west of Pakistan, and east of Iran.

Since the August 2021 Taliban takeover, poverty has increased in Afghanistan, and the country continues to face one of the world’s worst food insecurity and malnutrition crises.

Although poverty levels stabilized at around 50 percent of the population before the Taliban takeover, many businesses were forced to close in 2021 and Afghans were left without a sustainable source of income. The ongoing economic crises has impacted most of the population in Afghanistan, and specifically women. About 75 percent of female employees lost their jobs because of the Taliban’s edicts and restrictions on women, impacting their ability to generate income and their movement in public spaces. The combined effects of the economic crisis, climate change, water shortages and drought, unemployment, and fluctuating food prices are forcing 90 percent of Afghan families to resort to emergency livelihood coping strategies.

Agriculture constitutes over 80 percent of Afghanistan's economy, it remains the backbone of the Afghan economy and the source of livelihoods for the majority of the population, and women constitute around 43 percent of the agriculture sector's workforce. However, low agricultural production, heavy reliance on natural resources, and limited alternative livelihood opportunities in rural areas contributed to overexploitation of resources, internal displacement, and extreme poverty. The agriculture sector and Afghan farmers require urgent and ongoing support to enhance food security and nutrition, increase domestic production, improve financial standing for families, and provide farmers, especially women, with the knowledge, training, and tools needed for sustainable livelihoods. Investments in Afghanistan’s agriculture sector remain critical to ensure adequate nutritional intake, particularly for women and children, as well as the continued and efficient operation of agricultural value chains that can help rebuild the larger economy and reduce recurrent humanitarian and economic crises.

Afghanistan is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Climate projections for Afghanistan suggest a future of higher temperatures, reduced rainfall and higher evapotranspiration with an increased frequency of extreme events such as floods, droughts and storms. Snowmelt, which provides 80 percent of water in Afghanistan, is projected to occur earlier and more rapidly due to climate change and glacier melt, disrupting river flows and amplifying the impacts of drought. Variability in surface water greatly impacts irrigation systems as 85 percent of abstractions of surface water in the country are for irrigation. These climate impacts will have downstream consequences for vulnerable communities, ecosystems and water resources for livelihoods, drinking, and food security.

1 Please see:

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2010/04/12/000333037_201004 12001029/Rendered/PDF/522110ESW0Whit1anistan0Final0Report.pdf;

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2011/01/11/000333037_201101 11004513/Rendered/PDF/E26350SAR1EA1P1Box353824B01PUBLIC1.pdf;

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2010/11/16/000334955_201011 16014820/Rendered/PDF/E25860EA0P12031Framework1appraisal.pdf;

Before the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghanistan's economy has improved significantly since the 2001 fall of the Taliban regime largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Despite the progress of the past few years before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries, see (Table 1 Selected data for Afghanistan). After the Taliban takeover in 2021, and the collapse of the government, much of the population suffered from shortages of food, housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs.

Degradation of the environment and depletion of natural resources are significant and visual consequences of the long period of instability, including depletion of forest cover by 66.5 percent in the south-eastern part of the country over the last 30-year period. Wood is still the main source of energy for over 90 percent of households.

2.3 Policy, Legal and Regulatory Framework and International Conventions

The primary relevant laws and legislations framing social and environmental issues are: the Environment Law of Afghanistan (2007), the Land Expropriation Law (2005), the Water Law (2004), and the Law on the Preservation of Afghanistan’s Historical and Cultural Heritages (2004).

Afghanistan is a party to international agreements on Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, and Ozone Layer Depletion. The country also signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury which was recently ratified2.

All information included below references environmental policies, strategies, laws, regulations, and agreements under the pre-August 2021 Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

2.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL FRAMEWORK

The former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan) was one of the lowest emitters of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) worldwide but Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable to climate disasters. Afghanistan ranks fourth on the list of countries most at risk of a climate crisis (INFORM Risk Index 2023) and seventh on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index of countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Drought affects more than 50% of the population, causing desertification, soil degradation, and migration of wildlife.3

Beyond climate-related impacts, the country faces environmental problems related to deforestation, uncontrolled urbanization, solid waste disposal, air and water pollution, depletion of groundwater resources, and limited renewable energy alternatives.4

Afghanistan’s environmental framework is relatively robust, with national strategies and policies focused on various sectors. The framework Environment Law covers management of various activities affecting the environment. Despite this, insecurity and poor infrastructure throughout the country exacerbate environmental and climate change challenges.5 The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) is the authority responsible for

5 https://www.unep.org/resources/report/reporting-state-environment-afghanistan

4 https://www.unep.org/resources/report/reporting-state-environment-afghanistan

3 https://www.unocha.org/news/afghanistan-alarming-effects-climate-change

2 http://www.mercuryconvention.org/Countries/Parties/tabid/3428/language/en-US/Default.aspx developing and implementing laws, strategies, and policies to conserve and rehabilitate the environment. NEPA focuses its efforts on climate change, air pollution, noise pollution, water quality, waste management, and sustainable development.

Environment Law, 20076

This framework Law covers management of various activities affecting the environment;

integrated pollution control; water resource conservation and management; biodiversity and natural resources conservation and management; environmental education and training; and compliance and enforcement. The objectives of the Law are to 1) protect the health of humans, flora, and fauna; 2) maintain ecological functions and evolutionary processes; 3) preserve the environment for future generations; 4) conserve natural and cultural heritage;

and 5) encourage sustainable development of the national economy. The Law establishes the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and outlines provisions for conducting environmental impact assessments, obtaining pollution control licenses, managing and protecting water resources, protecting national biodiversity, restoring indigenous vegetation, and managing rangelands.

Plants Protection and Quarantine Law, 20177

This Law aims to 1) protect plants and the environment; 2) prevent the introduction of pests;

3) improve food security; 4) facilitate the trade of plants and their ancillary products; 5) support economic development; 6) adhere to intergovernmental conventions and international standards on plant protection; and 7) comply with regulations of the World Trade Organizations. The Department of Plant Protection and Quarantine is responsible for implementing the Law; preventing the introduction, existence, and outbreak of pests; issuing certificates for plant quarantine; protecting plants and their reserves; inspecting and monitoring endangered plants; increasing public awareness on pest impacts; updating plant protection standards; and constructing new laboratories.

Agricultural Pesticides Law, 20168

This Law establishes provisions related to agricultural pesticides. Its objectives are to 1) control the manufacture, import, supply, transport, storage, and use of agricultural pesticides;

2) prevent the harmful impacts of pesticides on human, animal, and plant health; 3) protect the environment from the impacts of pesticides; and 4) safely dispose of agricultural waste.

The Agricultural Pesticides Committee is responsible for approving the quality of pesticides for registration; preparing the list of prohibited pesticides; consulting on proper use of agricultural pesticides; and determining safe methods to eliminate unusable pesticides. A permit is required to produce, import, export, transport, store, supply, or sell agricultural pesticides.

Water Affairs Management Law, 20209

9 https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC200669

8 https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC182376

7 https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC183835

6 https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC185430

This Law aims to 1) regulate water management; 2) promote fair distribution and economic use of water; 3) develop the water supply system; 4) enhance the quality and quantity of water resources; 5) ensure good governance related to water affairs; and 6) protect water resources for current and future generations. The Law acknowledges the right to clean drinking water and introduces the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management. It further outlines tasks related to the design and planning of water regulation, as well as effective economic use and distribution of water resources. The Ministry of Water and Energy has overall responsibility for implementing the Law; renewing, designing, and operating drinking, farming, irrigation, and other water systems for industry and commerce; and protecting natural resources, energy production, and tourism.

2.3.2 National Climate Change Frameworks:

Afghanistan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), 201510

Afghanistan’s INDC aims to enhance the adaptive capacity and resilience of Afghanistan’s agricultural sector, environment, and population to climate change. It seeks to develop and implement Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) and efficiently mainstream climate change considerations into national policies, strategies, and plans. Adaptation measures focus on 1) monitoring and assessing vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; 2) mainstreaming climate change adaptation technologies into sectoral policies; 3) coordinating adaptation technology transfer; 4) expanding the meteorological and hydrological monitoring network; 5) developing water resources; and 6) sustainably using natural resources. Mitigation measures focus on reducing GHG emissions in the energy, forest and rangeland, industrial process, agriculture and livestock, and waste management sectors.

Table 1. Selected data for Afghanistan

Socioeconomic data

10 https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC190111

Total Population- 31.6 million (2018-19)[1] Population Growth Rate (annual %)- 2.34 Urban Population (23.7 % of total)- 7.5 million Life Expectancy (years)- 65.2 Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births)- 112.8 GDP (current $)- 20.2billion (2017-18) GDP breakdown: Agriculture 22.6 %, Industry 22.4 % (2015) Services- 50.7 % ( 2017-18) GDP Growth (annual %)- 2.9 ( 2017-18) Inflation (annual %) -4.4% (2017-18)11

Unemployment Rate (annual %)- 35 Population Density- 42 persons/km2 (in 2017-18) Electricity Consumption - 2.226 billion kWh (2009 est.)

NHPP Generation Capacity - 100 MW12

Installed Capacity - 25 M13

Total number of schools: 26,10813 Total number of students: 8,971,01813

3.0 RECOMMENDED THRESHOLD DECISIONS AND MITIGATION ACTIONS

Below are the recommended actions for the activities described above, their impacts on the environment and recommended Threshold Determinations and Conditions, if any:

Activity Effects on natural or physical environment

Recommended Threshold Determination

1.2 Increase adoption of

production-enhancing technologies and enhance farmers’ technical capacity, especially farmers who transitioned away from poppy cultivation.

1.4 Strengthen commercial

linkages within value chains

1.9 Strengthen linkages

between farmers, suppliers, processors, exporters and link them with the local and regional markets.

3.2 Business development

and advisory support

- Assist women owned businesses in establishing their administrative, finance and management systems

- Facilitate market access for women owned businesses

No effect on the natural or physical environment

Categorical Exclusions, no action required per 22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i), (iii), (v) and (xiv) [give correct citations that justify categorical exclusion

13https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2018/05/14/largest-plant-restarts-operations-in-first-step-deve loping-afghanistan-hydropower

12https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2018/05/14/largest-plant-restarts-operations-in-first-step-deve loping-afghanistan-hydropower

11 Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook 2017-18, National Statistics and Information Authority

3.3 Vocational and

livelihood support services

- Provide vocational education and training based on market needs

- Sustainable livelihood support through apprenticeship program

- Improve technical skill and capacity of farmers and processors.

Objective I:

Food Security Improved through Increased and Inclusive Resilience, Productivity, Diversification and Stability of Agricultural Value Chains

1.1 Improve access to and

utilization of improved inputs and services

1.3 Enhance private sector

extension delivery

1.5 Establishment of

greenhouses to cultivate cash/high value crops throughout the year.

1.6 Generate tangible

income through the establishment of home-based nurseries.

1.7 Enabling rural women

to engage in the production, utilization, and storage of highly nutritious food crops.

1.8 Improve high value

crop harvesting through cultivation, agriculture best practices, and reduce post-harvest losses and support processing.

Limited environmental and social impact if Conditions adhered to

Negative Determination with Conditions per

22 CFR 216.3

Conditions:

Any seeds or livestock or other agriculture commodities shall comply with ADS 312 (eligibility of commodities). The implementer is required to ensure the equipment and materials are procured from a certified retailer; equipment and materials are used in environmentally sound and safe manner. Properly disposed of when applicable at the end of their useful life in a manner consistent with the best management practices.

Equipment, tools, kits etc. used in, rehabilitation, waste management etc. shall be of good quality, purchased from reputable vendors, and used in accordance with its specifications. Training for safe operation shall be provided as needed.

Any type of support for the pesticides, weather procurement for demonstration purposes, use, transportation and/or storage shall require adherence to the 2024 Afghanistan PERSUAP14 or its revised version.

The recipient shall comply with the occupational, health and safety and construction related quality standards of international agencies wherever applicable.

Seeds, fertilizers and other equipment shall be stored in a safe and controlled area.

Objective II: Enhanced communities’ resilience to climate change-induced shocks, specifically water stress

2.1 Watershed Restoration

and Productive Forestation;

- Empowering women through the establishment of women-operated

Limited environmental and social impact if Conditions adhered to

Negative Determination with Conditions per

22 CFR 216.3

Conditions:

The IP shall adhere to the best practices for the greenhouse vegetable production, including proper soil fertility management (e.g. avoid over-application of manure and fertilizers, proper storage of soil fertility inputs, appropriate irrigation practices (e.g. avoid over-watering

14 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=62152 nurseries to produce plant saplings.

- Promoting soil and water conservation through the establishment of Terracing, and tree plantation.

2.2 Promote the efficient

water use for Agriculture

- Desilting and cleaning of small scale irrigation canals to ensure efficient water use and minimize water losses

- Demonstrate high efficiency irrigation such as drip irrigation in drought-hit areas.

2.3 Promote Diversified

Livelihoods for Climate-Resilient Communities

- Supporting the development of alternative income-generating activities to reduce communities' dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, i-e Working on the apiculture value chain, Supporting the development of small businesses, cooperatives, or social enterprises focused on sustainable practices, promotion of climate-Smart Agriculture.

and run-off), see https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures /sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sec tor-environmental-guidelines-resources

No lead-containing paint or asbestos shall be used in rehabilitation . No arsenic and mercury.

Implementer partner shall adhere to the Environmental Guidelines15 for Small Scale Activities.

All applicable safety standards shall be adhered to in rehabilitation activities including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environ mental-guidelines-resources

Objective III: Women Economic Empowerment Strengthened

3.1 Increase access to

finance and credit - Linking farmers and processors with financial institutions through access to credit.

- Establishing home based micro and small business enterprises through providing small grants

- loan to women owned businesses

- Access to working capital or zero interest loans

Objective IV: Selected Emerging Shocks and Challenges impacting the Agriculture Sector or Economic Growth are addressed to the extent possible. This is an Opportunity Response Mechanism (ORM

Limited environmental and social impact if Conditions adhered to

All applicable safety standards shall be adhered to in rehabilitation activities including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Waste generated during the rehabilitation work shall be managed properly according to the best practices.

For grants, an environmental review form and review report (ERF/ERR) shall be completed by the IP and submitted to the COR and MEO for review and approval before the disbursement of funds.

Implementing Partner shall develop an Environmental Manual. The EM shall include and describe the processes for environmental review and also describe any environmental standards that the activity shall adhere to.

TheEM will be reviewed and approved by the COR and MEO.

MEO will provide the template.

Table 1. Proposed activities and recommended threshold decisions for the Women and Men in Agriculture program.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommended Action: Categorical Exclusions (ca. 60% of funding)

Women and Men in Agriculture activities under objective I, Objective II, and Objective III, except the provision of seed and fertilizers, that do not have an effect on the natural and physical environment fit within the categories listed in 22 CFR 216.2 (c)(2) and are categorically excluded from any further environmental review requirements. The originator of the proposed action has determined that the proposed activities are within the following classes of actions:

● Education, technical assistance, or training programs, except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.). [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i)];

● Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings. [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(iii)];

● Document and information transfers. [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(v)]; and

● Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.). [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(xiv)].

Recommended Action: Negative Determination with Conditions (ca. 40% of funding)

1. These activities include grants for establishing home based micro and small business enterprises and will require completion of environmental review form or environmental review report (ERF/ERR) to be approved by the Mission Environmental Officer (MEO) and COR before commencing any activity.

2. All applicable national environmental, Operation, Health and Safety (OHS) and labor laws, regulations, standards and those under applicable international conventions and agreements shall be adhered to in rehabilitation activities including use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training.

3. Waste generated during the rehabilitation work shall be managed properly according to the best practices.

4. Seeds, fertilizers and other equipment shall be stored in a safe and controlled area.

5. Any type of support for the pesticides, weather procurement for demonstration purposes, use, transportation and/or storage shall require adherence to the 2024 Afghanistan PERSUAP.

6. Equipment, tools, kits etc. used in rehabilitation, waste management etc. shall be of good quality, purchased from reputable vendors, and used in accordance with its specifications. Training for safe operation shall be provided and compliance with manufacturer’s manuals assured .

7. Implementing Partner shall develop an Environmental Manual. The EM shall include and describe the processes for environmental review and also describe any environmental standards that the activity shall adhere to. The EM will be reviewed and approved by the COR and MEO.

8. No lead-containing paint or asbestos shall be used in rehabilitation.

9. Use of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertilizers is prohibited

10. The implementer shall provide documented, including photographic evidence of activity’s sites prior, during and after implementation

11. Procurement. use of and training on pesticides, including disinfectants, etc., shall be compliant with the approved 2024 Afghanistan P-PERSUAP.

Note: The approved FAA 119 and Climate Risk Annex will be provided to the IP separately.

5.0 CLIMATE CHANGE RISK SCREENING

Afghanistan is extremely vulnerable to the impacts from global climate change. Available information suggests that since 1960 annual temperature have increased 0.6°C and is expected to rise even more and there is an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and changes in precipitation and snowmelt patterns which may affect water availability16. According to USAID’s Climate Links, changes in climate pose challenges to Afghanistan’s ongoing efforts to combat poverty, reduce food insecurity and sustainably manage natural resources. Afghanistan’s political and socio economic challenges in the last 40 years have curtailed its climate change adaptation capability. A severe drought from 1998–2006 foreshadowed the pressures that Afghanistan may confront under future climate scenarios, including addressing transboundary water management to fulfill irrigation demands across the region.

16 https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-afghanistan

With projected economic and population growth, Afghanistan’s water storage limitations and reliance on snowmelt and transboundary watersheds create significant climate change vulnerability. To minimize the negative impacts of climate change, USAID is required by ADS201mal17 to incorporate climate change risk screening for all new projects as of October 1, 2016. Climate risk screening will help the activities under Women and Men in Agriculture components to adjust its activities to better adapt to climate change and mitigate its adverse impacts.

Annex 1 shows the Climate Risk Management screening for the Women and Men in Agriculture activity which has been completed by the OLH technical staff, including the MEO and Climate Integration Lead.

The climate risk screening conducted summarizes the climate change vulnerability risk as [High ]for the Women and Men in Agriculture activity.

The following climate change risk management requirements apply:

1. Train farmers in use of drip and micro-irrigation techniques for more efficient irrigation

2. Climate smart agriculture practices shall be mainstreamed throughout the technical assistance programs provided to the community members, such as drought resistant seeds, drip irrigation practices, water harvesting and storage techniques.

3. communities shall receive briefings on possible impacts of climate change and ways to best prepare.

4. All rehabilitation activities shall avoid flood prone areas or shall incorporate enhanced flood protection measures.

5. contingency and emergency preparedness plans shall be developed by the implementer to deal with extreme weather events such as flood and heatwaves and other climate change induced disasters and safeguard the success of the project.

6. The implementer shall review the agency climate strategy (2022-2030)18 and report how this activity contributes against the six ambitious targets.

6.0 CONDITIONS AND IMPLEMENTER’S PROCEDURES

1. The implementer shall be responsible for compliance with all conditions herein.

2. Activity should be conducted in a manner compliant with all applicable legislation;

regulation and standards of Afghanistan and national obligations under ratified applicable international environmental agreements and conventions; and in their absence with best management and industry practice acceptable to USAID.

3. The implementer shall minimize the use of, and ensure proper management and disposal of, hazardous materials and waste.

4. For procurement and use of pesticides, if any, the implementer shall adhere to the 2019 USAID/Afghanistan Programmatic-Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (P-PERSUAP) https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50845.pdf. Or if updated.

5. When equipment (computers; etc.) is procured it should be disposed in an environmentally safe manner at the end of its life by a certified company in accordance with local laws, and in the absence of such guidance , in accordance with

18 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/USAID-Climate-Strategy-2022-2030.pdf

17 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/201mal_042817.pdf international best practice acceptable to USAID (alternatively, when procuring equipment from a licensed provider/dealer an agreement may be reached that such equipment will be returned to the dealer for its environmentally safe disposal).

6. As appropriate, the implementer(s) shall obtain necessary approvals from national authorities for environmental compliance documentation, including applicable permits, licenses, etc.

7. All activities shall be consistent with good design and implementation practices acceptable to USAID as described in:

a. USAID’s Sector Environmental Guidelines as provided at http://www.usaidgems.org/sectorGuidelines.htm

b. EBRD Sub-sectoral Environmental and Social Guidelines at http://www.ebrd.com/pages/about/what/policies/guidelines.shtml

c. ADB Environmental Guidelines at http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/pub/2003/Environmental_Assessment_G uidelines.pdf

d. IFC Environmental; Health and Safety Guidelines as provided at http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/sustainability.nsf/Content/EnvironmentalGuidelines;

e. Any other international best practices readily available from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environmental/Development Programme (UNEP/UNDP) (or European Union

(EU)).

8. The implementer will have a qualified, COR and Mission Environmental Officer (MEO)-approved Environmental Professional(s) (EP) who coordinates the implementation of environmental mitigation measures, monitoring, and reporting to the USAID/Afghanistan Agreements/Contracts Officer Representative (A/COR).

Should an EP lack any special technical knowledge to identify any special environmental impact, the implementer will consult with a specialist in the relevant area.

9. Continuous environmental monitoring, evaluation, reporting and supervision will be conducted during project implementation. Quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports, as applicable, will contain sections on environmental compliance. A/COR and the MEO/CIL will meet with the implementer to explain conditions established in the original and amended IEEs.

7.0 RESOURCE ALLOCATION, TRAINING AND REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS

1. The contract with the implementer shall include a requirement to comply with all conditions of the IEE and any other environmental mitigation and monitoring documentation approved by the Bureau Environmental Officer/Asia. The implementer will be responsible for training its staff and subcontractors on the contract’s environmental requirements and for ensuring compliance of the environmental requirements.

2. The implementer shall have sufficient staff with expertise in an environmental field and resources to implement and report on the expected scope of environmental compliance work. The implementer will document, using cameras/photos, schemes and maps, the status of environmental (and social) conditions on site and in the area of influence prior to, during, and after implementation of projects and activities. This evidence may be also used for providing USAID with lessons learned and best practices.

3. The implementer will have the following documentation and reporting requirements associated with environmental compliance:

a. Mitigation and Monitoring Reports will be submitted to USAID monthly, and not on an annual basis. Reporting will include photographic documentation and site monitoring reports which fully document that all proposed mitigation procedures were followed throughout implementation of the subject work including quantification of mitigation. All such reports and documentation will be submitted to the COR, Management Office and MEO.

8.0 LIMITATIONS OF THE IEE

This IEE does not cover the following:

● Activities involving Genetically Engineered Organisms/GEO (also known as

Genetically Modified Organisms – GMO) may require the preparation of Biosafety Risk Assessment in accordance with ADS 211),. The Agency Biosafety Officer (ABO) in the Bureau for Food Security (BFS) must be consulted early in the process to determine if a Biosafety Risk Assessment is necessary. A Biosafety Risk Assessment will require the full collaboration of the Asia BEO, REA/SCA/Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghanistan MEO/CIL, well as the Agency Biosafety Officer (ABO).

● Global Development Alliance (GDA) programs.

● Procurement or use of Asbestos, Lead, Mercury Containing Materials (ALMCM) (i.e.

piping, roofing, etc.), Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) containing transformers, or other hazardous/toxic materials for construction projects, including lead and mercury.

● Procurement, use, or recommendation for use of pesticides both in agriculture, and rehabilitation. The contractor shall comply with the approved Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) or seek MEO/CIL and BEO/Asia guidance on the appropriate course of action.

● Procurement or use of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertilizers.

Any of these actions would require an amendment to the IEE and the BEO/Asia approval by the BEO/Asia.

9.0 REVISIONS

Pursuant to 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9), if new information becomes available which indicates that activities to be funded by the project might be “major” and the project’s effect “significant,” or if additional activities are proposed that might be considered “major” and their effects significant, this IEE will be reviewed and revised by the originator of the project and submitted to the BEO/Asia for approval and, if appropriate, an environmental assessment will be prepared. It is the responsibility of the USAID COR/AOR to keep the Mission Environmental Officer, USAID/Afghanistan and the BEO/Asia informed of any new information or changes in scope and nature of the activity that might require revision of the

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ri sk o f co nf lic t am o n g th e fa rm er s co m m u n it y if tr an sp ar en t sc re en in g, el ig ib ili ty an d se le ct io n cr it er ia d o es n o t h ap p en an d vu ln er ab le co m m u n it ie s m ay n o t b e

R ed u ce d la b o r p ro d u ct iv it y d u e to im p ac ts to h ea lt h an d w el lb ei n g o f th e w o rk fo rc e ca u se d by ex tr em e h ea t ev en ts d am ag e to th e ir ri ga ti o n in fr as tr u ct u re d u e to th e st o rm s an d fl o o d in g.

d ro u gh t fu rt h er d ec re as in g fr es h w at er ,i n cr ea se s co m p et it io n fo r w at er fo r ru ra la n d u rb an n ee d s d u e to d ro u gh t an d w at er sh o rt ag es co m m un it ie s ha ve lim it ed re si lie nc e to ab so rb sh oc ks du e to cl im at e ch an ge in du ce d di sa st er s.

lim it ed ca pa ci ty to co lle ct an d us e in fo rm at io n ab ou t cl im at e im pa ct s to ag ri cu lt ur e.

lim it ed av ai la bi lit y an d us ag e of ac cu ra te an d ti m el y w ea th er /s ea so na l fo re ca st in g to co m m un it ie s fo r de ci si on m ak in g.

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im pr ov ed ir ri ga ti on te ch no lo gi es su ch as de fi ci t ir ri ga ti on

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C lim at e sm ar t ag ri cu lt ur e pr ac ti ce s sh al lb e m ai ns tr ea m ed th ro ug ho ut th e te ch ni ca la ss is ta nc e pr og ra m s pr ov id ed to th e co m m un it y m em be rs ,s uc h as dr ou gh t re si st an t se ed s, dr ip ir ri ga ti on pr ac ti ce s, w at er ha rv es ti ng an d st or ag e te ch ni qu es co m m un it ie s sh al l re ce iv e br ie fi ng s on po ss ib le im pa ct s of cl im at e ch an ge an d w ay s to be st pr ep ar e.

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d am ag e to ro ad s d u e to fl as h fl o o d s w ill h am p er ac ce ss to th e m ar ke t.

co nt in ge nc y an d em er ge nc y pr ep ar ed ne ss pl an s sh al lb e de ve lo pe d by th e im pl em en te r to de al w it h ex tr em e w ea th er ev en ts su ch as fl oo d an d he at w av es an d ot he r cl im at e ch an ge in du ce d di sa st er s an d sa fe gu ar d th e su cc es s of th e pr oj ec t.

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