ATTACHMENT J.3 - DCN 2023-KOS-001.pdf

SBU – Sensitive But Unclassified DCN: 2023-KOS-001

USAID/KOSOVO/Kosovo Adapt Activity 1

USAID 22 CFR 216 DEFERRAL VERSION1, APRIL 2022

SBU DEFERRAL OF

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Project/Activity Data Project/Activity Name: Kosovo Adapt Activity Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region): Kosovo Implementation Start/End Date (FY or M/D/Y):

TBD

Amendment (Yes/No); if Yes indicate # (i.e.

1, 2…)

No

If Amendment, specify New End Date:

Solicitation/Contract/Award Number(s): TBD Implementing Partner(s): TBD Bureau Tracking ID: 2023-KOS-001 Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any): n/a Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses: n/a

Organizational/Administrative Data Implementing Operating Unit(s):

(e.g. Mission or Bureau or Office)

USAID/Kosovo

Other Affected Operating Unit(s):

Lead BEO Bureau: E&E Funding Account(s) (if available): 2021 Original Funding Amount: - Prepared by: Besa Ilazi Date Prepared: 4/27/2022

Environmental Compliance Review Data Analysis Type: Deferral Environmental Determination(s): Deferred per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(1) Expiration Date of Deferral: Date of the award of Kosovo Adapt Activity Additional Analyses/Reporting Required: Yes Climate Risks Identified (#): TBD Climate Risks Addressed (#): TBD

USAID/KOSOVO/Kosovo Adapt Activity 2

DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DESCRIPTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

USAID environmental procedures require environmental review of potential impacts of USAID programs, projects, and activities. The environmental review can be deferred under two situations:

1) When USAID does not have sufficient information for meaningful environmental analysis, and therefore a Threshold Decision cannot be reached at the time the Project Appraisal Document/Activity Approval Memo or similar approval document is prepared;

and,

2) When USAID is not able to identify projects/activities or aspects of projects/activities prior to the authorization of financing.

This document, in accordance with §216.3(a)(1), provides the required information necessary to issue a deferral of the required environmental review, including why the environmental review cannot be completed and the timing for completion of the review. Further it stipulates the requirements that must be implemented. Once this deferral is approved, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory.

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

This five-year activity aims to increase public and private sector awareness and demand for climate smart initiatives, and improve Kosovo’s capacity to adopt and implement policies and technologies that support climate change mitigation and adaptation, ultimately resulting in a resilient environment and more economic sustainability for Kosovo citizens.1

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The environmental review of the Kosovo Adapt Activity is requested to be deferred in its entirety.

Because the Activity will be advertised through a Request for Proposal (RFP), activities or specific aspects of such cannot be identified in sufficient detail to permit the completion of an RCE, IEE or EA at the time of preparing the Project Appraisal Document/Activity Approval Memo or similar approval document (22 CFR 216.3(a)(1)).

JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CAN NOT BE COMPLETED

The Activity will be procured using a RFP, in which the applicants propose the specific activities and approach to accomplish the proposed aim of the activity. For this reason, it is not possible to know with certainty the specific activities and/or areas to be supported under the Activity until award. Under §216.3(a)(1), USAID does not have sufficient information for meaningful environmental analysis.

1 Climate Smart Initiatives are interventions that will amalgamate efforts of the Government of Kosovo (GOK), civil society, and the private sector that support adaptation and mitigation measures to address climate change effects.

Interventions will facilitate adaptation and mitigation in order to achieve climate resilience directly and indirectly in the short, medium, and long term across all areas except energy infrastructure.

USAID/KOSOVO/Kosovo Adapt Activity 3

TIMING AND APPROACH FOR COMPLETION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The environmental review will be completed when types of the activities/sub-activities are identified before the signing of the award for this Activity.

IRREVERSIBLE COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

No funds will be obligated for sub-activities under this Activity until the overall environmental review for the Activity is completed, thereby avoiding an irreversible commitment of funds.

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

Currently there is insufficient information to adequately undertake the Climate Risk Management (CRM) screening. The CRM will be completed and incorporated into the IEE, EA, or other relevant document.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS DEFERRAL

1. The responsible Operating Unit will ensure the required environmental review (RCE,IEE or EA) is completed in the timeframe designated herein.

2. If the required environmental review cannot be completed in the designated time frame, an amendment will be prepared and approved with justification and with a revised time frame.

3. The responsible Operating Unit will ensure that appropriate language to carry out the requirements of this deferral is incorporated into relevant award documents, including requirements relating to development of the RCE, IEE or EA. Relevant award language shall ensure that implementation plans will be modified in accordance with the environmental review.

4. The responsible Operating Unit will (i) ensure an irreversible commitment of resources will be avoided until the environmental review is completed.

5. The CRM will be completed and incorporated into the RCE, IEE or EA.

6. The responsible Operating Unit will clear this deferral with the cognizant BEO as well as the subsequent RCE, IEE or EA as required by this document.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

None

IMPLEMENTATION

In accordance with 22 CFR 216 and Agency policy, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory upon approval.

USAID/KOSOVO/Kosovo Adapt Activity 4

USAID APPROVAL OF DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

PROJECT/ACTIVITY NAME: Kosovo Adapt Activity

Bureau Tracking ID: 2023-KOS-001

Approval:

Zeinah Salahi, Mission Director, USAID/Kosovo Date

Clearance:

Kerry Monaghan-Hogler, Deputy Mission Director, USAID/Kosovo Date 10/18/2022

Clearance:

Kit Miller, Resident Legal Officer Date: 08/30/2022

Clearance:

Edmond Shyti, Alternate Mission Environmental Officer Date

Clearance:

CLEAR Joshua Mike, Economic Growth Office Director Date 28 April

Clearance:

Besa Ilazi, Project Management Specialist Date

Concurrence:

Poojan Tripathi, E&E, Bureau Environmental Officer

Date

USAID APPROVAL OF DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW