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1 1 Energy Efficiency Department of the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE” Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project Environmental and Social Management Framework Minsk, 2018

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Page 1: Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project Environmental and ...€¦ · viable approach to long-term financing and implementation of broad-scale Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings

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Energy Efficiency Department of the State Committee for Standardization

of the Republic of Belarus

RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE”

Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project

Environmental and Social Management Framework

Minsk, 2018

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Contents

List of Abbreviations…………………………………………………………….....………..4

Summary……………………………………………………………………………...….….5

1. Project description…………………………………………………………………….…11

1.1 Project goal……………………………………………………………………….….…11

1.2 Description of the Project and of its components ………………………………….…..11

2. Regulatory frameworks …………………………………………………...………….....14

2.1 Environmental protection ……...………………............................................................14

2.2 Labor protection and safety …………............................................................................16

2.3 Sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population ….…………………………...16

2.4 National strategies……………………………………………………………………...17

2.5 World Bank and European Investment Bank Safeguards Policies……………………..18

2.6 Requirements for environmental and social assessment in the Republic of Belarus …..19

2.7 Comparison of the requirements for environmental and social assessment of the

Republic of Belarus and of the World Bank/the European Investment Bank……………...22

3. Institutional frameworks of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ……......24

4. Baseline analysis ………………………………………………………………………...29

4.1 Geographical environment ……………………………………………………………..29

4.2 Socio-economic situation Baseline ………………….……………................................31

4.3 Analysis of social and gender issues ……………………………………..…………….32

4.4 Analysis of the condition of the forest fund ……………………………………………33

4.5 Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings ……………………..........................35

5. Analysis of environmental impact and social impact for potential types of sub-projects..37

5.1 Analysis of environmental and social impact for potential types of sub-projects under

Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass heating”……………………………………..….37

5.2 Analysis of environmental and social impact for potential types of sub-projects under

Component 2 “Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)”………………39

6. Rules and procedure of environmental and social screening and assessment …..………42

6.1 Procedures of environmental and social screening of the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank ……………………………………………………………………………42

6.2 Procedures of environmental and social screening ………………………………...…..43

6.3 Preparing Environmental and Social Management Plan………………...……………44

6.4 Environmental and Social Management Plan Checklist………………………………..45

7. Guidelines for mitigation of environmental and social impacts …………………………47

8. Technical assistance for environmental and social issues …………….……...……………..48

9. ESMF Institutional arrangements and capacity building.…..……….…………………...50

9.1 Institutional arrangements for ESMF implementation ….……………………………...50

9.2 The Project Management Unit ………………………………………………………….50

9.3 Subproject beneficiaries ……………………………….…………………………..…....51

9.4 State inspection bodies …………………………………….……………...……...……..52

10. Monitoring and reporting ……………………………………….……...……...………..53

11. Grievance Redress Mechanism ………………………………………………………....54

11.1 Grievance Redress Mechanism ………………………………………………………..54

11.2 Ways of complaints submission ……..………………………………………………...54

11.3 Confidentiality and conflict of interest.………………………………….. ……...……54

11.4 Collection/receipt of complaints ………………………………………………………55

11.5 Investigation……………………………………………………………………..……..55

11.6 Answer to the Applicant ……………………………………………………………….55

11.7 Publication ………………………………………………………………………..……55

11.8 Transparency………………………………………………………………………….56

11.9 Periodic internal monitoring and reporting ………………………..……...……...……56

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11.10 Reporting in quarterly and annual reports about the progress of activity provided to the

Bank …………………………………………………………...……...……...……...……...56

12. ESMF Disclosure and public consultation ……………………..……………………….57

12.1 General requirements for disclosure of the ESMF ….……………………………........57

12.2 Results of disclosure and public consultation of the ESMF ……...……...……...…......57

Annexes

Annex 1. The main Laws regulating environmental protection, labor protection and

safety measures and sanitary and epidemiologic well-being of population in the

Republic of Belarus

Annex 2. Relevance of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank Safeguard

Policies to the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project

Annex 3. Objects of State Ecological Expertise

Annex 4. Objects of Strategic Environmental Assessment

Annex 5. Objects of Environmental Impact Assessment

Annex 6. Contents of the “Environmental protection” section of the design documents

Annex 7. Dynamics of forest fund indicators of the Republic of Belarus

Annex 8. Environmental and social screening criteria

Annex 9. ESMP Checklist

Annex 10. Structure of the Environmental and Social Management Plan

Annex 11. Guidelines on mitigation of environmental and social impacts

Annex 12. Training program for the experts involved in implementation of the Project

Annex 13. Monitoring forms

Annex 14. Record of complaints/inquires

Annex 15. Minutes of public hearings

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List of Abbreviations

WB World Bank

EIB European Investment Bank

PMU Project Management Unit

SEE State Ecological Expertise

HCS Housing and Communal Services

IHS Individual heat substation

MW Megawatt

RLA Regulatory legal act

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

POSD Policy Operations in Support of Development

OM Operational Manual

ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan

ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework

SPZ Sanitary protection zone

MM Mass media

SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment

TR Terms of reference

TRLA Technical regulatory legal act

CHP Combined heat and power plant

EA Environmental Assessment

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Summary

Project background. Access to adequate heat supply plays a critical role in well-being of

the population of the Republic of Belarus. In view of cold climatic conditions and a long heating

period, the Republic of Belarus needs access to a reliable and acceptable heat supply source, and

thermal renovation of the housing stock. Implementation of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up

Project will facilitate a solution to this problem to a considerable extent.

The proposed Project is aimed at support of investments in increased use of biomass for

district heating and thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings, and at rendering of

technical assistance related thereto for development of the corresponding branch policy and

development of institutional capacity. The main expected long-term results include increased

economic use of environmentally sustainable wood biomass for district heating and showing a

viable approach to long-term financing and implementation of broad-scale Thermal renovation

of multi-apartment buildings (MABs).

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to scale up efficient energy use in space

heating of multi-apartment buildings and renewable wood biomass fuel utilization in selected

urban localities in Belarus while the higher level Global Environmental Objective (GEO) is to

support national efforts in reducing fossil fuel consumption in space heating.

Project components. The Project contains three components as follows:

Component 1. Renewable wood biomass heating. Within the framework of this

component, it is planned to finance transfer to the use of biomass and increase of efficiency of

district heating utilities by means of the following:

- (a) biomass district heating investments: including, inter alia, conversion of inefficient

gas-fired boilers to wood-chip-fired boilers, installation of new peak gas-fired boilers,

modernization of district heating networks, installation of individual heat substations and

operational monitoring and control systems, and development of local sites for wood fuel

preparation; and

- (b) and also application of distributed heating wood biomass heating (installation of

biomass boilers in close proximity to the buildings).

Component 2. Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs).

Within the framework of this component it is planned to help in creation, initial

capitalization and the pilot financing scheme operation, and implementation of multi-apartment

buildings thermal renovation in two or three oblasts. This mechanism will fulfill a demonstration

function, and in case of successful implementation, such scheme will be replicated in other

oblasts and will provide a basis for creation of a sustainable national program of thermal

renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs).

With the aim of simplification of the financing structure, engineering design and execution

of thermal renovation, the possibility of financing of two packages of measures and one “Plus”

option will be considered.

Package of measures A will cover limited thermal renovation, including installation of

individual heat substations in the buildings, of radiator thermostats in the apartments,

replacement of entrance doors and windows at the staircases.

Package of measures B provides for integrated thermal modernization, including

installation of individual heat substations in the buildings, of radiator thermostats in the

apartments, replacement of all windows (in case they have not been replaced by the households

individually yet) and entrance doors, measures for heat insulation of exterior walls, basements

and roofs. The works for cosmetic repair of the building (for example, painting of staircases) can

be additionally included in the contents of both packages.

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The “Plus” option will include both packages of measures for the buildings, where the

homeowners make a collective decision in favor of allocation of charges for heating at the

apartment level at the cost of the use of heat energy distributors (HED).

Component 3. Technical assistance and implementation support. Within the framework

of this component it is planned to implement the following events:

- (a) biomass fuel market development; analytical work and technical assistance in

infrastructure development to ensure transfer to pricing on energy-content-based biomass

pricing;

- (b) development of the thermal renovation market, capacity building of the market

participants and the interested parties, development and implementation of communication and

awareness-raising programs; and

- (c) project management, monitoring and reporting; capacity building of the Project

Management Unit (PMU) and financing of additional operating expenses.

Project potential environmental impacts and triggered World Bank Operational

Polices (OPs). The types of activities to be implemented will have either minor or no adverse

environmental impacts and provide significant environmental and social benefits (reductions in

local atmospheric air pollution such as dust and sulfur dioxide emissions and reductions in

emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide; improving livelihoods by securing heat

supply; etc.). Negative environmental impacts are primarily associated with civil works (e.g.

dust, noise, disposal of non-hazardous wastes and/or older equipment; degradation of vegetation,

traffic disruption (depending upon specific location), worker safety (e.g. welding operations). In

most cases these impacts will be minor, short-lived, and primarily limited to the project sites

(except for movement of equipment and materials to/from the construction sites), and they can

be addressed with good engineering and construction practices as well as by preparing and

implementing adequate mitigation measures and applying best construction and/or energy supply

or energy conservation practices and relevant mitigation measures. The project triggers only one

World Bank Environmental OP 4.01 as it will generate some adverse environmental and social

impacts. The OP 4.04 “Natural Habitats” as well as OP 7.36 “Forests” are not triggered, as the

project is focused on existing infrastructure in urban areas no natural habitats and/or forests will

be impacted. The draft Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been

disclosed and consulted in the country and in selected participating cities prior to appraisal.

Project category and Environmental Assessment instruments to be applied within the

framework of the project. In accordance with the Bank’s safeguard policies and procedures, the

project is classified as Category B for which an Environmental Assessment (EA) with

Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is required. A Sites pipeline has been

prepared during project preparation. Specific Sites to be financed by the proposed project will be

confirmed during implementation. The appropriate EA instrument at appraisal is an ESMF,

which would specify all rules and procedures for the Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA) of specific Sites (e.g., a biomass DH investment or the thermal renovation of

an MAB) and preparing ESMPs. The proposed project will not finance any Sites which may

cause significant environmental impacts and may fall under the Category A projects. The Sites to

be financed under the proposed project would fall under the Category B projects, for which the

Bank requires a simple and/or a partial ESIA and/or preparing an ESMP.

Purpose and contents of the Environmental and Social Management Framework. The

ESMF will guide the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process, relevant to the

proposed project activities. Overall its main goal is to avoid, minimize or mitigate potential

negative environmental and related social impacts caused by the project implementation. The

ESMF document provides the following: (a) the national and WB safeguards ESIA rules and

procedures; (b) environmental and social impacts associated with the proposed investments and

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generic mitigation measures; (c) guidelines on conducting Sites environmental screening, as well

as ESIA, including defining mitigation measures and monitoring activities for different types of

activities; (d) roles and responsibilities in ESIA process and in supervision and reporting; (e)

ESMP and ESMP Checklist to be applied within the ESIA process; and (f) capacity building

activities to ensure an efficient ESMF implementation. A special section of the ESMF provides

safguards capacity building activities for the selected pilot oblasts. To ensure that the biomass

comes from sustainable sources, the ESMF requires for each new Biomass boiler house that: (i)

wood chips or wood for production of wood chips by district heating utilities are supplied by

certified forestry enterprises in Belarus (as opposed to uncertified enterprises or through self-

collection of local wood resources); (ii) confirmation that there is adequate excess material

available from existing forest enterprise activities so that the increased demand for them will not

lead to changes in forest management or utilization practices (if project-related increased

demand could lead to such changes). Also, the proposed capacity building activities to be

provided under the Component 3 includes in its curricular a section on identifying Sites

environmental impacts and rules and procedures for preparing ESIA&ESMP.

Legal framework of the Republic of Belarus and the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank Safeguard Policies.

The main regulatory legal act, which governs the procedure of environmental impact

assessment, is the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З “On state

ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment”.

Also, important regulatory legal acts, the requirements of which shall be considered within

the Project implementation, are the following:

- (a) the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 16.12.2008 № 2-З “On atmospheric air

protection”; and,

- (b) the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.07.2007 № 271-З “On waste

management”.

Considering nature and peculiarities of the Project, only one in ten WB Safeguard Policies

(OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment) and one Environmental Standard on Environmental

Assessment EIB is triggered. The objective of this policy and standard is to ensure project

ecological safety and sustainability, provision of information to the persons, who define the

policy about the nature of environmental and social risks, and to ensure transparency and public

participation in making political decisions.

Although the main provisions, rules and procedures of the “Environmental Assessment” in

the Republic of Belarus coincide with the requirements of the WB, there exist some important

differences, described in the ESMF along with the ways to solve these discrepancies.

Rules and procedures for environmental and social screening and preparing

environmental and social management plans. Each sub-project financed within the framework

of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project is subject to ecological screening and assessment,

aimed at determination of the most vulnerable environmental components and of expected

impact for each subproject, and development of mitigation (alleviation or recovery) measures.

If in the result of screening the sub-project falls into Category C, no further actions are

required. If the sub-project is categorized as Category B, further preparation of the

Environmental and Social Management Plan is required or preparation of the Environmental and

Social Management Plan Checklist. The sub-projects of Category A will not be financed within

the framework of the Project.

Most of sub-projects under Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass heating” will be

Category B as they support construction (rebuilding) of boiler houses and heat supply networks.

Respectively an Environmental and Social Management Plan, and the ESIA (if conducting of the

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ESIA is required according to the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus)

with further passing of the State Ecological Expertise will be necessary.

The sub-projects of Package of measures B and of the “Plus” under the Component 2

“Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings” will be qualified as Category B for which

filling in of the Checklist for Impact Assessment would be enough to address expected adverse

environmental and social impacts.

Category C will supposedly include sub-projects of Component 3 “Technical assistance

and implementation support” and Package of measures A of Component 2 “Thermal renovation

of multi-apartment buildings”, with minor civil works. Apart from screening, such sub-projects

do not require any further Environmental Assessment activities.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the sub-project includes a set

of measures for mitigation and monitoring, and of institutional measures, which shall be taken in

the period of the project execution for remediation of unfavorable environmental and social

consequences, their neutralizing or reduction to an acceptable level.

The ESMF presents the template and the structure of the ESMP.

An alternative form of the ESMP in the form of the ESMP Checklist has been developed

for the sub-projects with a low risk level, which will ensure implementation of the main

mitigation measures and the best civil works practice, and, at the same time, preparing a

document which is corresponding to the WB and the EIB requirements.

Project Management Unit. The PMU will hire a Safeguards Specialist (SS) who will

oversee overall coordination of individual ESMF and ESMP implementation, reporting to the

Energy Efficiency Department and to the World Bank regarding safeguards issues, as well as of

integrating safeguards requirements into binding contractual documents. This specialist will also

be responsible for interaction with the environmental authorities, ensuring an efficient

implementation of safeguards documents and will undertake, randomly, site visits and

environmental supervision and monitoring, assessing environmental compliance at worksites,

advising project entities on environmental and social safeguards issues. The PMU SS will also be

responsible for identifying ESA training needs for all parties involved in ESMF/ESMP

implementation.

Beneficiary district heating companies. The DHCs are responsible for fulfillment of the

environmental and safeguards requirements and implementation of the Site specific ESMP. For

that purpose, the DHCs will assign and/or hire a safeguards responsible person who should have

the following responsibilities: (a) ensuring the quality of the ESIAs and ESMPs; (b) ensuring the

EA documents have been (i) disclosed and consulted with all interested parties and (ii) have been

reviewed and approved by the State Ecological Expertise; (c) ensuring that contractors comply

with all ESMP requirements; (d) conducting ESMP supervision and monitoring and assessing

environmental and social impacts and efficiency of mitigation measures, as well as identifying

non-compliance issues or adverse trends in results, and putting in place programs to correct any

identified problems; (e) when needed, providing advice and consulting contractors in ESMP

implementation; and, (f) reporting to the PIU with regard to ESMP implementation.

Project Implementation Units of selected oblasts for the thermal renovation pilot. The

thermal renovation component will be implemented by the PMU with support of oblast PIUs and

MCAs. Each PIU will also include a SS, whose main duties would be to ensure that the thermal

renovation activities are implemented in compliance with the World Bank Safeguards

Operational Policies and national EA rules and procedures. The major responsibilities of the PIU

SS will be similar as for those specified above for beneficiary district companies. The additional

responsibility for this SS will be conducting at the initial stage of the subproject development

environmental screening and assigning the subprojects’ environmental category. The PIU SS

will cooperate with the PMU.

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Contractors’ responsibilities. The actual investments will be carried out by contractors

selected through the public tendering process. They should operate in full compliance with

national environmental and social legislation and with the ESMPs requirements. Further, the

contractors are obliged to follow regulatory requirements of the national law related to traffic

safety, occupational health and safety; fire safety; environmental protection; and community

health and safety. All activities associated with ESMPs will be financed by the contractors. The

contractors will also be requested to designate a person in charge of environmental, social, health

and safety issues and for implementing the ESMP.

ESA capacity building activities. The implementation of the ESMF requires specific

knowledge for beneficiaries and operators engaged in the different phases of the project

implementation. The project will support relevant trainings for social safeguards specialists on

knowledge and information on topics such as the ESMF implementation, ESMF/ESMP

reporting, World Bank Guidelines etc. For this purpose, before the civil works start, the client

will hire a consultant with knowledge of the environmental and social management requirements

for the Republic of Belarus, including substantial knowledge of Bank safeguards policies and

requirements, who will provide EA training which will include the basic requirements of the

World Bank and national safeguards rules and procedures, as well as case studies in this regard

(a detailed Program for EA capacity building is provided in the special Annex of the ESMF with

a total cost of about US$62,000). The training activities will continue during the project

implementation when the consultant will provide on the job training regarding environmental

and social monitoring and supervision. Since the PIUs will be newly established, it is expected

they will not have adequate knowledge of safeguards issues. Taking this into consideration, the

project will support a special EA capacity building program, targeted at providing special

training to PIUs’ safeguards specialists to be hired, including helping in drafting relevant

regulations and templates.

Environmental and social supervision and monitoring. Environmental and social

supervision and monitoring during project implementation will provide information about the

project environmental impacts and the effectiveness of applied mitigation measures. Such

information enables the subproject beneficiaries and the World Bank to evaluate the success of

mitigation as part of project supervision and allows corrective action to be taken when needed.

The monitoring section of the ESMPs should provide: (a) details, of monitoring measures,

including the parameters to be measured, methods to be used, sampling locations, frequency of

measurements; and, (b) monitoring and reporting procedures to (i) ensure early detection of

conditions that necessitate mitigation measures, and (ii) furnish information on the progress and

results of mitigation, and achieved results; and also (c) description of institutional responsibilities

and grievance mechanism.

Reporting. Supervision of the ESMF and ESMPs implementation will be the

responsibility of the PIUs, which periodically (as per monitoring schedule) will prepare short

reports on ESMP implementation to be submitted to the PMU. The PMU will compile these

reports and semi-annually will present short information about ESMP implementation as part of

the Progress Reports to the World Bank.

Integration of the ESMPs into project documents. The ESMP provisions will form part

of the design documents for the project and will be included in construction contracts for

selected Sites, both into specifications and bills of quantities. Respectively the Contractors will

be required to include the cost of ESMP requirements in their financial bids and required to

comply with them while implementing the project activities. The bidding documents for

selecting the contractors will include specifications that would ensure effective implementation

of environmental, health and safety performance criteria by the winning bidder and in particular:

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(i) preventing/limiting disturbance of soils and vegetation removal to the minimum; (ii)

preventing soil compaction as well as other potential impacts; (iii) ensuring that all ground

disturbing activities are conducted consistent with the construction requirements; (iv) developing

a traffic management plan that include measures to ensure work zone safety for construction

workers and the travelling public; (v) conducting all activities on installing new electrical

equipment, implementing civil works, etc., will be done with due care, ensuring labor safety; and

(iv) ensuring that the traffic management plan is be approved by the Traffic Police prior to

commencement of any construction/repair works; etc. The contract with the winning bidder will

include also an obligation to inform the relevant authorities of any significant environmental,

health and safety accidents and events among subcontracted project workers.

ESMF Disclosure and public consultation.

The draft ESMP report was disclosed and consulted in Minsk and in participating oblasts.

The consultation meeting in Minsk with the interested parties took place on October 5, 2018, at

RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” at the following address: 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N.

The draft document together with an announcement about holding of the consultation meeting

was posted on the websites of RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”; the Energy Efficiency

Department of Gosstandart and Oblast Executive Committees of Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno,

Minsk and Mogilev Oblasts from September 12 till September 15, 2018. All interested parties

have been invited to send their comments and suggestions to RUE

“Belinvestenergosberezhenie”, the organization responsible for conducting of public discussions,

not later than October 1, 2018, by mail: 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N, 220037, Minsk, to e-

mail: [email protected] or by phone 352-58-25. Possible comments and suggestions of the interested

parties with respect to the ESMF had been not received by RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”

till the specified time.

The PMU “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” participated in the consultation meeting, as well

as developers of the ESMF, for whom presentation of the document was held. Representatives of

the Oblast Executive Committees, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties

did not take part in the consultation meeting. The presentation included overall overview of the

document, description and explanation of national procedures for the Environmental and Social

Impact Assessment, including differences of national procedures and Safeguard Policies of the

World Bank/the European Investment Bank, and clarifications on drawing-up of the

Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs). All participants at the consultation

meetings overall accepted the document without any major comments.

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1. Project description

1.1 Project development objective

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to scale up efficient energy use in space

heating of multi-apartment buildings and renewable wood biomass fuel utilization in selected

urban localities in Belarus while the higher level Global Environmental Objective (GEO) is to

support national efforts in reducing fossil fuel consumption in space heating.

1.2 Description of the Project and of its components

The proposed project will support investments in scaling up wood biomass-based

district/central heating and thermal renovation of MABs, as well as associated technical

assistance for the development of relevant sector policies, for institutional capacity and for

supporting project implementation. The main outcomes sought are increased economical

utilization of renewable wood biomass for centralized space heating and increased households’

participation in thermal renovation investments in MABs.

The proposed Project is aimed at support of investments in increased use of biomass for

district heating and thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings, and at rendering of

technical assistance related thereto for development of the corresponding branch policy and

development of institutional capacity. The main expected long-term results include increased

economic use of environmentally sustainable wood biomass for district heating and showing a

viable approach to long-term financing and implementation of broad-scale Thermal renovation

of multi-apartment buildings (MABs).

The Project contains three components as follows:

Component 1: Renewable wood biomass heating. This component will support fuel-

switching and efficiency improvement of district/central heating systems in selected urban

localities through:

1.1. Biomass district heating investments: including, inter alia, conversion of

inefficient gas-fired boilers to wood-chip-fired boilers, installation of new peak gas-fired boilers,

modernization of heat networks, installation of individual heat substations and operational

monitoring and control system, and creation of local sites for wood fuel preparation;

1.2. Application of distributed biomass heating: at locations where the decentralized

biomass heating option is more economical than simple fuel switching of the existing gas-fired

district heating systems, distributed heating using wood pellet-fired boilers close to the buildings

would be considered; and

1.3 Biomass heating for public institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals) with isolated

heating systems: where wood biomass fuel supply is secure, installation of modern wood pellet-

fired boilers and rehabilitation of dilapidated heating systems.

Component 1 will invest in all six oblasts of Belarus, targeting inefficient DH systems in

small- and medium-sized towns, as well as inefficient central heating systems in public

institutions not connected to DH systems. In both cases, reliable and sustainably sourced wood

biomass supplies are a pre-condition for investment.

Component 2: Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings. This component will

support the implementation of the government’s national program for thermal renovation of

MABs by piloting a partially repayable grant scheme in two oblasts selected by the government

and the Bank. For the pilot of the proposed partially repayable grant scheme IBRD and EIB loan

proceeds will be used to pre-finance the full cost of thermal renovation projects. Homeowners of

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participating MABs (determined by more than two-thirds of the homeowners in an MAB voting

in favour of the investment) are obliged to repay a pre-determined portion of the full cost of

thermal renovation through instalments for up to 10 years.

To simplify the technical design and facilitate communications with homeowners

regarding thermal renovation, two thermal renovation packages will be offered to target the

lower and higher ends of the potential energy savings corresponding to the proposed government

capital grant levels, respectively, prioritizing measures with higher cost-effectiveness. Package A

would include measures that would be eligible for a 30 percent government capital grant. This

would cover limited thermal renovation, including building-level substations or mixing loops,

TRVs and necessary piping retrofit in individual apartments, upgrading of entrance doors and

staircase windows, and other associated low-cost measures, including necessary capital repairs1.

Package B would include measures that would be eligible for a 50 percent government capital

grant. This would, in addition to Package A measures, generally include thermal insulation of the

roof, exterior walls, and basement, as well as upgrading of individual apartment windows (for

which the homeowners themselves need to cover the full cost)2. The installation of heat cost

allocators (HCAs) and implementation of apartment-level consumption-based billing will be

included in both packages as an option for homeowners since individual apartment heat billing is

not a mandatory (regulatory) requirement.

Component 2 will primarily target MABs which have been identified by the participating

oblast governments for capital repairs. Each oblast government has a rolling 5-year pipeline of

MABs eligible for capital repairs3. This will facilitate the selection of buildings, increase the

impact of the capital repair program and the thermal renovation pilot by upgrading the targeted

buildings to an “as new” condition, and take advantage of synergies and cost savings by

implementing both capital repairs and thermal renovation at the same time. MABs not included

in the capital renovation pipeline may also participate in the proposed project if they meet the

eligibility criteria based on specific heat consumption of the building. All eligibility criteria will

be clearly described in the Project Operations Manual (POM).

Component 3: Technical assistance and implementation support. This component will

provide focused technical assistance to the two-selected thermal renovation pilot oblasts and for

overall project implementation support, including:

3.1. Biomass fuel market development (: analytical work and technical assistance for

developing national regulation on energy-content-based biomass pricing;

3.2. Thermal renovation market development and implementation support:

development and implementation of communications and outreach programs to homeowners,

capacity building for national and oblast government agencies, market participants and

stakeholders (e.g., administrators of thermal renovation projects, homeowners’

associations/organizations, contractors and commercial banks);

3.3. Development and introduction of a monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)

system for GHG emissions reduction in space heating as a result of thermal renovation, switching

from fossil fuels to sustainable wood biomass, and other energy efficiency measures; and

1 The capital repairs are those eligible for the government’s capital repair program (see footnote 8). 2 Survey indicates that over 80 percent of the windows in MABs are already upgraded by homeowners using their

own funds. 3 The government has an on-going capital renovation program targeting basic repairs of buildings based on a 30-yr

capital repair cycle, as well as actual issues reported by homeowners. In general, it covers the most dilapidated

buildings in the MAB stock, which also tend to be among the least energy efficient. The purpose of the capital

renovation program is to restore the buildings to their original design standards, for examples, repair or replace a

leaky roof, reseal the joints between panels (of panel buildings), replacing malfunctioning equipment, etc. It does

not explicitly address heat losses of buildings, although certain measures (e.g., repair of a freezing wall or replacing

a roof) will reduce heat losses. More details about the capital renovation program are provided in Annex 2.

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3.4. Project management, monitoring and reporting: (i) training for the national

Project Management Unit (PMU), Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in the two selected pilot

oblasts; (ii) consultant services to support the PMU, PIUs and the DHCs in the implementation

and supervision of the project, including annual multi-stakeholder dialogues which share

information and opinions between end-users from public institutions and MAB homeowners

which benefited from the project and discuss how end-users’ recommendations are considered;

and (iii) consultant services for annual financial audits of the project accounts and other

consultant services. The monitoring and reporting will include a well promoted and easily

accessible grievance redress mechanism building upon the BDHP’s recently-upgraded grievance

redress mechanism and further supporting and improving the efficient management of inquiries

and complaints – in particular related to the thermal renovations and grant scheme.

2. Regulatory frameworks

2.1 Environmental protection

Environmental policy implemented at the state level is one of the key elements of

sustainable development of the Republic of Belarus.

The basis of the whole legislation of the Republic of Belarus about environmental

protection is the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, which ensures the right of each human

for the favorable environment and for compensation of harm inflicted by violation of this right.

The state controls rational use of environmental resources with the aim of protection and

improvement of living conditions, and environmental protection and reclamation.

On grounds of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, a series of laws on

environmental protection was passed, in particular:

– Laws of the Republic of Belarus “On atmospheric air protection”, “On waste

management”, “On hydrometeorological activities”, “On plant world”, “On the protection of the

ozone layer”, etc.;

– Codes of the Republic of Belarus: “Water Code of the Republic of Belarus”, “Land Code

of the Republic of Belarus”, “Code of the Republic of Belarus on Subsoil Resources”, “Forest

Code of the Republic of Belarus”.

One of the main regulatory legal acts is Law of the Republic of Belarus “On environmental

protection” dated November 26, 1992 № 1982-XII (as amended on 17.12.2017) (hereinafter –

the Law). This Law establishes legal foundations of environment protection, ecosystem

exploitation, preservation and restoration of biodiversity, natural resources and objects and is

aimed at safeguards for constitutional right of citizens for the environment, which is favorable to

life and health. The Law also establishes that the right for favorable environment belongs to the

citizen by nature and is subject to protection as personal non-property right not connected with

the property right, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the

Republic of Belarus. Moral damage inflicted on the citizen by infringement of his right for

favorable environment is subject to compensation according to the legislation of the Republic of

Belarus.

The Law determines that the main tasks of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus about

environmental protection are the following:

– ensuring favorable environment;

– regulation of relations in the sphere of conservation of natural resources, their use and

restoration;

– prevention of a harmful impact of business and other activities on the environment;

– environmental quality improvement;

– ensuring rational (sustainable) use of natural resources.

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According to the Law, state administration in the sphere of environmental protection is

executed by the President of the Republic of Belarus, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of

Belarus, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental protection of the Republic of

Belarus and its territorial bodies, other specially authorized republican state administration

bodies and their territorial bodies, local Council of Deputies, executive and regulatory bodies

within the scope of their competence.

Parties to a relationship in the sphere of environmental protection are the following:

– The President of the Republic of Belarus, Council of Ministers of the Republic of

Belarus, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental protection of the Republic of Belarus,

local Councils of Deputies, executive and regulatory bodies (executive committees), and other

state bodies, bodies of territorial public self-government within their competence;

– non-governmental organizations, other legal bodies of the Republic of Belarus, and

citizens of the Republic of Belarus, including individual entrepreneurs.

Objects of relations in the sphere of environmental protection are land (including soils),

subsoil resources, water, atmospheric air, ozone layer, near-Earth space environment, forests,

vegetable and animal world in its species diversity, specially protected nature conservation areas

and natural sites subject to special protection, national environmental network, biosphere

reserves, typical and rare natural landscapes and biotypes, climate, natural ecological systems,

other natural objects, and also the right of ecosystem exploitation.

The Law establishes competence of state administration bodies, specially authorized

republican state administration bodies in the sphere of environment protection, rights and duties

of citizens, legal bodies, public ecologists and non-governmental organizations executing

activity in the sphere of environment protection.

A special group of regulatory legal acts, which govern the issues of environment

protection, are edicts and decrees of the President of the Republic of Belarus, which have a legal

force of laws.

Various sub-legislative regulatory legal acts play a major role for ensuring a mechanism of

law execution. They include Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus,

various industry-specific regulatory documents, and technical regulatory legal acts of the

Republic of Belarus (TRLA).

The main regulatory legal acts, which settle the issues of environmental protection in the

Republic of Belarus, are presented in Annex 1.

The main regulatory legal act, which governs the procedure of environmental impact

assessment, is the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З “On state

ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment”.

Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes taking into account possible

transboundary impact, is conducted according to the procedure, stipulated by the Provision about

the Procedure of Conducting Environmental Impact Assessment, requirements to the contents of

the report about Environmental Impact Assessment, requirements to the specialists conducting

the Environmental Impact Assessment approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the

Republic of Belarus dated 19.01.2017 № 47 “About some measures for implementation of the

Law of the Republic of Belarus from 18.07.2016 “About the state ecological expertise, strategic

environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment”.

Also, important regulatory legal acts, the requirements of which shall be considered in the

course of the Project implementation, are the following:

– The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 16.12.2008 № 2-З “On atmospheric air

protection”;

– The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.07.2007 № 271-З “On waste management”.

During the Project implementation, it is necessary to take into account the main principles

of these laws, namely:

– compulsory assessment of the impact of business and another activity on atmospheric air

while making decisions about its carrying out;

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– acceptability of the impact of business and another activity on atmospheric air taking into

account requirements in the sphere of atmospheric air protection;

– imposition of charges for pollution emissions in the atmospheric air while carrying out

business and another activity;

– setting limits in the sphere of atmospheric air protection;

– prevention of atmospheric air pollution and environmental harm;

– redress of harm inflected on the environment by pollution emissions in the atmospheric

air;

– availability of ecological information about the state of atmospheric air, impact on it and

measures aimed at its protection;

– setting limits on production waste generation and also setting limits on production waste

storage and limits on production waste burial;

– the use of the latest technological advance while handling of waste;

– priority of use of waste in respect of its neutralization or burial upon the condition of

compliance with the requirements of the legislation on environmental protection;

– priority of waste neutralization in respect of their burial;

– imposition of charges for production waste dumping;

– responsibility for violation of environmental requirements at Waste management;

– redress of harm inflicted on the environment, citizens’ health, property at Waste

management;

– ensuring access to the information in the sphere of Waste management for legal bodies

and individuals, including for individual entrepreneurs.

The Republic of Belarus is a participant of about 20 international conventions in the sphere

of environmental protection.

The main international document in the sphere of Environmental Impact Assessment

signed by the Republic of Belarus is Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated

20.10.2005 № 487 “On ratification by the Republic of Belarus of the Convention on

environmental impact assessment in a cross-border context”.

2.2 Labor protection and safety

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus on labor protection is based on the Constitution

of the Republic of Belarus, which guarantees to the citizens of the Republic of Belarus the right

to labor as the most decent way of self-affirmation of the human, and also health and safe

working conditions, and consists of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 23.06.2008 № 356-

З “On labor protection”, the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus, the Civil Code of the

Republic of Belarus, and also departmental (branch) regulatory legal acts, including technical

regulatory legal acts, governing public relations in the sphere of labor protection.

Law of the Republic of Belarus “On labor protection” is aimed at regulation of public

relations in the sphere of labor protection and exercise of a right of the citizens for health and

safe working conditions established by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. If the

international treaty of the Republic of Belarus establishes other rules than those, which are in this

Law, then the rules of the international treaty are applied.

The main regulatory legal acts, governing the sphere of labor protection and safety

measures in the Republic of Belarus, are presented in Annex 1.

Labor protection management provides for solution of the main tasks;

– ensuring optimum work and rest conditions of workers;

– investigation and outreach of issues of labor protection;

– assuring security of buildings and structures;

– creation of corresponding psychological production support;

– arrangement of corresponding sanitary and hygienic labor conditions;

– provision of workers with personal protective equipment;

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– organization of medical and preventive servicing of workers;

Labor protection divisions and safety organizations are created for functioning of safety

management systems at the enterprises.

2.3 Sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population

The legislation in the sphere of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population is

based on the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and consists of the Law of the Republic of

Belarus dated 07.01.2012 № 340-З “On the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the

population” and other pieces of legislation, and international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.

Sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population is ensured by means of the

following:

– implementation of state and regional programs in the sphere of sanitary and

epidemiological welfare of the population;

– prevention of disease distribution considering sanitary and epidemiologic situation and

its projected change;

– carrying out of sanitary and epidemiological measures by state bodies, other

organizations, physical bodies, including individual entrepreneurs;

– compliance with the legislation in the sphere of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of

the population by state bodies, other organizations, physical bodies, including individual

entrepreneurs;

– setting state sanitary and epidemiological limits;

– confirmation of compliance of the human habitat factors with the requirements of the

legislation in the sphere of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population, including

safety requirements and requirements of harmlessness to the human organism, and also of the

use and (or) development and approval of corresponding methods (methodologies) of the

specified factors determination;

– state sanitary and hygienic expert review;

– state registration;

– social and hygienic monitoring;

– sanitation-and-epidemiological audit;

– manufacturing control;

– the use of scientific achievements in studying health status of the population, human

environment;

– provision of information about sanitation-and-epidemiological situation, state of the

human environment, carried out sanitation and epidemic measures;

– carrying out of measures for hygienic education and upbringing of the population;

– forming healthy lifestyle;

Sanitary norms and rules, hygienic regulations are a part of the legislation in the sphere of

sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

It is compulsory for state bodies, other organizations, physical bodies, including individual

entrepreneurs, to observe sanitary norms and rules, hygienic regulations.

Sanitary norms and rules, hygienic regulations are approved by the Ministry of Health of

the Republic of Belarus.

Sanitary norms and rules, hygienic regulations, applied at conducting construction activity,

are approved by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus by agreement with the

Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus.

The main regulatory legal acts, governing the sphere of sanitary and epidemiological

welfare of the population in the Republic of Belarus, are presented in Annex 1.

2.4 National strategies

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The main national strategies in the sphere of environmental protection and social sphere

are the following:

– National Strategy of Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of

Belarus for the period till 2020 (approved by the National Commission on Sustainable

Development of the Republic of Belarus (protocol № 11/15пр dated 6.05.2004) and by the

Presidium of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (protocol № 25 dated

22.06.2004);

– Strategy in the Sphere of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus for the

period till 2025 (approved by Decision of the Collegium of Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus № 8-Р dated 28.01.2011);

– Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for Gradual Phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

for the period till 2020 (approved by Decision of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of

Belarus dated 13.03.2013 №06/214-62).

– Water Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for the period till 2020 (approved by Decision

of the Collegium of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the

Republic of Belarus № 72-Р dated 11.08.2011);

– State Program “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for

2016 – 2020” approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus

№205 dated 17.03.2016;

– State Program “Energy Saving” for 2016–2020 approved by Resolution of the Council of

Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 28.03.2016 № 248.

The basis of all strategies is substantiation of strategic aims, stages and scenarios of

transfer of the country to sustainable development, determination of the most important

directions and ways of transfer of the Belarusian economy to sustainable development in respect

of the main constituents – “human–environment–economy”.

2.5 World Bank and European Investment Bank Safeguards Policies

Environmental Assessment and implementation of the sub-projects offered for inclusion in

the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project shall be carried out both according to the requirements

of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental protection,

occupation health and safety, safety measures and sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the

population, and according to the corresponding safeguard policies, manuals and standards of the

World Bank and the European Investment Bank .

According to the safeguards policies of the World Bank and environmental and social

standards of the European Investment Bank, Environmental Assessment is the process preceding

the project implementation stage, in the course of which:

– potential ecological risks of the project are assessed, as well as its impact;

– project alternatives are investigated;

– ways of improvement of selection, location, planning, designing and implementation of

the project are revealed by means of prevention, minimization, alleviation or recovery of harm

inflicted by a negative ecological impact, and by means of a positive impact improvement.

Environmental Assessment includes processes of alleviation and management of negative

environmental impact in the course of the project implementation. Conducting of Environmental

Assessment is compulsory for the projects, which can render a potential negative impact.

Moreover, holding public consultations is compulsory at all process stages. In case when project

activities, which are subject to financing, cannot be determined at the project development stage,

the Banks use the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which reflects

detailed information about the procedure, criteria and responsibility for preliminary

Environmental Assessment (screening) of the sub-projects, implementation and monitoring of

environmental and social assessments of the sub-project.

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There exist ten safeguard policies of the World Bank and ten of the European Investment

Bank environmental and social standards, which are well harmonized among them and aimed at

reduction of environmental and social negative consequences of the projects financed by these

institutions (see the box below):

WB safeguards Policies EIB environmental and social standards

OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment; Assessment and management of

environmental and social impacts and risks

OP/BP 4.04 Natural Habitats; Pollution prevention and abatement

OP/BP 4.37 Safety of Dams; Biodiversity and ecosystems

OP/BP 4.36 Forests; Climate-related standards

OP/BP 4.09 Pest Management; Cultural heritage

OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources; Involuntary resettlement

OP/BP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples; Rights and interests of vulnerable groups

OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement; Labour standards

OP/BP 7.50 Projects on International

Waterways;

Occupational and public health, safety and

security

OP/BP 7.60 Projects on Disputed Areas. Stakeholder engagement

Provisions of the safeguard policies and standards of the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank allow to determine potential impacts of the project activity, to minimize and to

mitigate their negative consequences.

Analysis of applicability of the World Bank Safeguard Policies and standards in respect of

the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project is presented in Annex 2.

So, taking into account nature and peculiarities of the offered sub-projects, the following

policy will be used at their preparation and implementation:

– World Bank and European Investment Bank Safeguard Policy and standard of

Environmental Assessment. The aim of this safeguard policy is to facilitate provision of

environmental safety and sustainability, provision of information to the persons who determine

the policy about the nature of ecological and social risks, and also ensuring transparency and

public participation in making political decisions. This policy/standard is umbrella policy and

provides the details on triggering other safeguards policies/standards and the requirements that

are necessary to be specified in the ESMF and of the site specific ESIA and ESMPs.

2.6 Requirements for environmental assessment in the Republic of Belarus

There is no term “Environmental Assessment" in the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

But the principles and the procedure for the conduct of the following are legislatively determined

in the republic:

– State Ecological Expertise (SEE) of the projects;

– Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA);

– Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Implementation of these procedures corresponds to the essence of the “Environmental

Assessment” adopted in many countries of the world.

Legislation in the sphere of the State Ecological Expertise, Strategic Environmental

Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment consists of the Law of the Republic of

Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З “On state ecological expertise, strategic environmental

assessment and environmental impact assessment”, acts of the President of the Republic of

Belarus and other legislative acts about the State Ecological Expertise adopted in compliance

with them, taking into account determined by Law of the Republic of Belarus “On environmental

protection” main principles of conducting business and another activity of legal bodies and

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citizens having an impact on the environment.

Herewith, if the international treaty of the Republic of Belarus lays down other rules than

those, which can be found in Law № 399-З, the rules of the international treaty of the Republic

of Belarus are applied.

Law № 399-З determines objects of the State Ecological Expertise – art. 5, objects, for

which the Strategic Environmental Assessment is carried out – art. 6, and objects, for which the

Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out – art. 7. The list of these objects is presented in

Annexes 3-5.

The State Ecological Expertise is carried out with observance of the following main

principles:

– prevention of harmful environmental impact;

– compulsory carrying out of the State Ecological Expertise before approval of design and

other documents for the objects of the State Ecological Expertise;

– considering of the total harmful environmental impact of conducted and planned business

and another activity;

– accuracy and completeness of the information in the design and other documents

submitted for the State Ecological Expertise;

– legality and neutrality of conclusions of the State Ecological Expertise;

– publicity and considering public opinion.

The State Ecological Expertise is carried out by the organizations subordinate to the

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State Ecological Expertise and Raising of Qualification of Executive

Employees and Specialists” of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection),

the staff of which includes the specialists, who have undergone training for carrying out the State

Ecological Expertise and correspond to the requirements set by the Council of Ministers of the

Republic of Belarus.

The State Ecological Expertise is carried out on a paid basis according to the procedure

established by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.

The Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes taking into account possible

transboundary impact, is organized, financed by the Employer and is conducted according to the

procedure, stipulated by the Provision about the Procedure of Conducting the Environmental

Impact Assessment, requirements to the contents of the report about the Environmental Impact

Assessment, requirements to the specialists conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment

approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers dated January 19, 2017 № 47 (hereinafter –

Provision about the EIA)..

The main conditions of the Environmental Impact Assessment are the following:

– prevention, which means carrying out of the impact assessment before deciding about

planned activity implementation and the use of the results of this assessment at development of

design solutions for ensuring environmental safety;

– presumption of potential environmental hazard of the planned activity;

– alternativeness, which means analysis of different variants of location and (or)

implementation of the planned activity, including refusal of its implementation (zero alternative);

– comprehensiveness, which means considering total environmental impact of executed

and planned activity;

– timeliness and efficiency of public information, publicity and considering public opinion

on the issues of impact of the planned activity on the environment.

– neutrality and scientific validation at preparation of the report about the EIA;

– accuracy and completeness of the information used for making grounded decisions,

considering environmental and economic efficiency and principles of sustainable development.

The EIA is carried out by the employers, the design organizations, the staff of which

includes the specialists, which have undergone training for conducting the Environmental Impact

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Assessment and the corresponding requirements set by the Government of the Republic of

Belarus.

The results of carrying out the EIA are reflected in the Report drawn up according to the

requirements set by the Provision about the EIA.

The report about the EIA undergoes public discussions according to the legislation about

the environmental protection. Provision “On the procedure public discussions on projects of

ecologically significant decisions, environmental impact assessment reports, registration of the

made ecologically significant decisions” has been approved by Resolution of the Council of

Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.06.2016 № 458.

The report about the EIA is presented for the State Ecological Expertise together with the

pre-Project (pre-investment) design documents.

Law № 399-З, art. 24 also determines the rights of citizens and legal bodies in the sphere

of carrying out the State Ecological Expertise, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the

Environmental Impact Assessment, namely:

“1. In the sphere of carrying out the State Ecological Expertise, the Strategic

Environmental Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment, citizens and legal bodies

have the right:

1.1. to request and to receive information about carrying out the State Ecological

Expertise;

1.2. to participate in public discussions of the reports on Environmental Impact

Assessment, environmental reports on the Strategic Environmental Assessment;

1.3. to become familiar with the summary of reviews and the record of public discussions

of reports about the Environmental Impact Assessment, environmental reports on the Strategic

Environmental Assessment and also with the documents sent for the State Ecological Expertise

(except for the data, access to which is limited by legislative acts);

1.4. to appeal to a court the report about the Environmental Impact Assessment, the

environmental report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the conclusion of the State

Ecological Expertise.

2. Citizens and legal bodies in the sphere of conducting the State Ecological Expertise, the

Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment have other

rights stipulated for by this Law and other legislative acts”.

For construction sites (erection, reconstruction (modernization), thorough overhaul and

restoration of buildings, constructions, engineering and transportation lines, improvement of the

construction site of production (including agricultural), housing and civilian designation, housing

projects and other types of construction on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, including

those, which are not subject to the State Ecological Expertise and for which the Environmental

Impact Assessment is not carried out; it is compulsory to develop as a part of the design

documents the section “Environmental Protection” (Technical Code of Common Practice TKP

45-1.02-295-2014 “Construction. Design Documents. Composition and Content”), which is one

of the most important sections of the design documents, since it determines the safety level of the

designed site on the environment and on human health.

Contents and procedure of drawing up this section is regulated by guide П3-02 to

construction rules of Belarus SNB (Construction Standards of the Republic of Belarus) 1.03.02-

96 approved by order of the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of

Belarus dated 20.06.2002 №273. Contents of section “Environmental Protection” of the Design

Documents are presented in Annex 6.

Qualitative development of the Environmental Protection section is not only guarantee of

successful and safe functioning of the site but will also help to exclude during its operation

possible problems with the bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental

Protection, the Ministry of Health and citizens of the nearest inhabited localities.

It is provided for by the legislation that the design and estimate documents are subject to

the State Expertise, which is carried out on a paid basis in cases and according to the procedure

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established by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, unless otherwise determined

by the President of the Republic of Belarus. Objects of the State Expertise, procedure and cases

of carrying out the State Expertise of the documents are determined by the Provision approved

by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 30.09.2016 №791.

Carrying out of the State Expertise is ensured by the State Committee for Standardization

of the Republic of Belarus, if favorable conclusions of the State Ecological Expertise and the

State Expertise of Energy Efficiency are available in cases established in accordance with the

legislation.

Law of the Republic of Belarus dated July 5, 2004 № 300-З “On architectural, town-

planning and construction activity in the Republic of Belarus” establishes the right of individuals

to request and to receive in the state bodies the information (details, data, documents) necessary

for execution of the specified activity, to offer proposals, to participate in discussions and in

making decisions in the sphere of architectural, town-planning and construction activity.

Informing of individuals and legal bodies about architectural, town-planning and

construction activity is executed by republican state administration bodies, local executive and

regulatory bodies, government construction oversight authorities through mass media and also

by ensuring regulated access to data of the town-panning cadaster, developed and approved

town-planning designs, conducting public discussion of town-planning designs, organization of

expositions, exhibitions and execution of these events.

Procedure of conducting public discussions in the sphere of architectural, town-planning

and construction activity based on the principle of choice of convenient for citizens time and

place of conducting is determined by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of

Belarus dated 01.06.2011 №687.

According to the specified Provision, town-planning designs, design documents and other

documents are subject to public discussions. Public discussions are executed before carrying out

of the state expert examinations.

Procedures of ecological and social screening of the sub-projects conducted by the World

Bank and by the European Investment Bank and their correlation with the EIA procedures are

considered in section 6 of this Framework Document.

2.7 Comparison of the requirements for environmental assessment of the Republic of

Belarus and of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank

Though the main provisions, rules and procedures of the environmental assessment in the

Republic of Belarus coincide to some extent with the safeguards requirements of the World Bank

and the European Investment Bank, there exist some important differences.

Differences in respect of environmental definition of the categories.

In the legislation of the Republic of Belarus on environmental protection, there exists a

formal system of categorization of the EIA and the State Ecological Expertise (SEE), which

requires that the projects rendering potential environmental impact shall have the EIA and a list

of measures for alleviation of the adverse effect as a part of the design documents. That means, if

the sub-projects have a potential environmental impact, for most them it will be required to

prepare the EIA and, correspondingly, – to pass the State Ecological Expertise. Nevertheless, it

does not mean that all projects that shall pass the SEE will be referred to Category A. Some

projects can be referred to Category B according to the requirements of the World Bank and the

European Investment Bank, but it will not exclude passing of the SEE according to the national

legislation.

According to Law № 399-З, there exists a list of the objects, which require passing of the

State Ecological Expertise, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the EIA,

correspondingly.

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At present, according to the national legislation, only development of the section

“Environmental Protection” as a part of the design documents is required within the framework

of the projects, which do not require development of the EIA and passing of the SEE.

So, the scope of the project Environmental Assessment shall be determined in each specific

case during preliminary approval of the project activities place and their specifications. In case

the requirements of the national legislation and of the World Bank/the European Investment

Bank are different, more stringent requirements will be applied.

Differences in respect of the ESMP.

According to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, development of the corresponding

mitigation measures is required for all projects, which have a negative impact on the

environment. But the national legislation does not require preparation of the detailed

Environmental and Social Management Plan, which, in addition to offered mitigation measures

contains requirements to the monitoring plan and accountability, and institutional cooperation

during the ESMP implementation. Herewith, compulsory conducting of trainings and workforce

capacity building is not required. So, in case of Category B of the sub-projects, the beneficiaries

will have to use the requirements of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank and to

prepare not only the list of mitigation measures, but the detailed ESMP with all its elements as

well.

Differences in respect of information disclosure and public consultations.

According to the national legislation of the Republic of Belarus, publication of the EIA and

public consultation exercise is compulsory mainly for large projects. At the same time, the public

may organize on its own initiative the Public Environmental Expert Review (PEER). A specialist

or a group of specialists, who carry out such environmental expert review, shall inform a wide

range of the public about carrying out of this expert review and its results. Such specialist or a

group of specialists have the right to receive the design documents and the EIA materials, and to

become familiarized with the regulatory technical documentation in respect of carrying out of the

SEE. The PEER results are sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental

Protection. Results and conclusion of the PEER are non-regulatory and can have legal force only

after approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and are

considered at carrying out of the SEE. Results of the PEER can be published in mass media and

can be provided to local authorities and to other interested parties.

In case of the environmental assessment, according to the rules of the World Bank and the

European Investment Bank, the Employer is responsible for exercise of at least one public

consultation for the sub-projects of Category B or for discussion of issues and events specified in

the ESMP or the ESMP itself overall. So, for the sub-projects of Category B, the Project

Management Unit will consider materials of public consultations conducted in preparation of the

EIA according to the national legislation and will determine to what extent they satisfy the

requirements of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. If according to the national

legislation public consultations are satisfactory, other consultations are not required. But in case

public consultations were not conducted at all, or if the PMU makes a decision that the materials

of public consultations are not sufficient for fulfillment of the requirements of the World Bank

and the European Investment Bank, the Employer will have to conduct at least one public

consultations and to discuss an environmental impact and consequences of the design activities

for local population and also to include these results in the contents of the ESMP. All materials

on public consultations shall be sent to the PMU as a part of the general set of documents with

respect to each sub-project. The ESMP shall be available for the public in the district of the sub-

project implementation, on the PMU’s web-site and, if possible, on the Employer’s web-site.

General comparison of the main requirements of the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank Operational Policy ОР 4.01 to the environmental assessment of the site, offered

to financing, at the cost of the Bank’s funds, and of the requirements of the environmental

regulation of Belarus to conducting of the EIA, despite the availability of some differences

concerning the list of the sites, with regard to which the environmental impact assessment is

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carried out, as well as the environmental assessment procedure, procedure for public

consultations of the projects and of their quantity, shows their similar direction.

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3. Institutional frameworks of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

State bodies, which can be engaged in the process of the environmental and social impact

assessment within the framework of the Project implementation, are listed below.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

(hereinafter – Minprirody) is the republican state administration body and is subordinate to the

Government of the Republic of Belarus. The main tasks of the Ministry of Natural Resources

and Environmental Protection are the following:

– operating the unified state policy in the sphere of environmental protection and rational

use of natural resources, use and conservation of subsoil resources, and hydrometeorological

activity according to the legislation;

– exercising state control in the sphere of study, protection, restoration and rational use of

natural resources, including subsoil resources, water, animal and vegetable world, environmental

protection, and state regulation in the sphere of hydrometeorology, ecological certification;

– coordination of activities of other republican state administration bodies, local executive

and regulatory bodies, organizations in the sphere of environmental safety provision,

environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, including subsoil resources,

hydrometeorological activity, protection of atmospheric air, ozone layer, rational use and

protection of water resources, mitigation of consequences of climate change and adaptation to

climate change;

– conduct of state regulation of activity on geological survey of subsoil resources and

hydrometeorological activity, and creation of conditions for development of organizations of all

forms of ownership, exercising these types of business activity;

– cooperation within its competence with local executive and regulatory bodies in solving

nature protection issues;

– control in the sphere of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources;

– ensuring preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, participation in development

and implementation of activities on reproduction of items of the animal and vegetable world;

– ensuring provision of ecological and hydrometeorological information to republican state

administration bodies, local executive and regulatory bodies, citizens; dissemination of

environmental knowledge, participation in creation of the system of awareness, education and

training in the sphere of environmental protection;

– exercise of international cooperation, study, generalization and distribution of

international experience in the sphere of environmental protection and rational use of natural

resources, hydrometeorological activity, and protection of atmospheric air, ozone layer, rational

use and protection of water resources, mitigation of consequences of climate change and

adaptation to climate change, ecological certification.

State organizations, which are subordinate to the Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environmental Protection, are the following:

– State Educational Institution “Republican Center of State Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of Executive Employees and Specialists” of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus. Conducts the State

Ecological Expertise, further training of executive employees and specialists in the sphere of

environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, including hydrometeorological

activity, ecological certification and ecological audit, carrying out the State Ecological Expertise,

the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment.

– The state institution National Center for Analytical Monitoring in Environmental

Protection. Exercises analytical (laboratory) control in the sphere of environmental protection

regarding samples collection and conduct of measurements in the sphere of environmental

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protection, exercises environmental monitoring, prepares information about the results of

environmental monitoring and analytical control for provision to the republican state

administration bodies, local executive and regulatory bodies, legal bodies and citizens.

– State Institution “Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive

Contamination and Environmental Monitoring” (BELHYDROMET). Prepares analytical

information about the state of the environment and its contamination, creates radiation situation

maps on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, ensuring provision of the latest, performance

and forward-looking information about the state and environment pollution to the republican

state administration bodies, and also local executive and regulatory bodies, regularly publishes

information for public organizations and the population in the printed media about the state of

the environment and its pollution.

Territorial bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection are

the following:

– seven Committees of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (CNRandEP):

Minsk City CNRandEP, Vitebsk City CNRandEP, Brest Oblast CNRandEP, Gomel Oblast

CNRandEP, Grodno Oblast CNRandEP, Mogilev Oblast CNRandEP,, Minsk Oblast

CNRandEP;

– district inspections of natural resources and environmental protection. Tasks and functions of the CNR and EP are the following.

– participation in operating the unified state policy in the sphere of environmental

protection and rational use of natural resources, use and conservation of subsoil resources;

– exercising state administration, innovation activity of rational use of natural resources

and environmental protection within its competence;

– coordination of activities of the state bodies (other state organizations) in the sphere of

environmental safety provision, including at implementation of design solutions on planned

business and another activity, environment protection and rational use of environmental

resources;

– control in the sphere of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources,

over usage and conservation of subsoil resources;

– provision of ecological information to state bodies, other organizations and citizens,

organizing dissemination of knowledge, participation;

– participation in effecting of international cooperation, study, generalization and

distribution of international experience in the sphere of environmental protection and rational use

of natural resources, regulation of impact on the climate;

– coordination of activities of local government bodies, executive and regulatory bodies,

legal bodies, notwithstanding forms of ownership and subordination, on rational use of natural

resources and environmental protection;

– monitoring of observance of environmental safety standards, use and protection of

surface and ground waters, earth resources, atmospheric air, vegetable and animal world,

specially protected natural areas and sites, handling of production and consumption wastes;

– environmental policy making and exercising integrated control over nature protection

activities on the controlled territory.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter – MinHeath) is the republican

state administration body and is subordinate to the Government of the Republic of Belarus:

The system of bodies and institutions of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus,

which exercise state sanitary supervision, includes the following:

– Department for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Prophylaxis of the Ministry of Health of the

Republic of Belarus;

– Republican, Regional Centers for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health;

– Minsk city, district, area, district in the cities centers for hygiene and epidemiology;

– Republican Unitary Enterprise “Scientific and Practical Centre of Hygiene”.

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Among others, the solved issues are the following: monitoring of an unfolding sanitation-

and-epidemiological situation on the administrative territory, sanitary supervision in form of

preventive and current supervision over implementation of the legislation, which regulates the

issues of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population, by organizations, individuals,

including individual entrepreneurs.

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus is the republican state

administration body, which pursues state policy, exercises administration in the sphere of labor

and labor protection, employment of population, social protection. The main tasks of the

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection include the following:

- development of proposals on the main directions and priorities of the state policy in the

sphere of labor, employment, demographic safety and social protection;

– participation in development and organization of social programs execution, control over

their implementation;

– organization and carrying out of monitoring in the sphere of labor, employment,

demographic safety and social protection;

– work on improvement of the staff remuneration scheme of the organizations, financed

from the budget, state employees, military men, members of private corps and senior officers of

internal affairs bodies, bodies and departments on emergency situations, financial investigation

bodies;

– development of the republican target program on improvement of conditions and labor

protection, and regulatory legal acts on conditions and labor protection;

– conducting expert examination of labor conditions and state control over correctness of

usage of lists of production, activities. professions, capacities and indices granting the right for

pension for work with special labor conditions, establishing additional payments for work under

harmful and (or) dangerous labor conditions and control over quality of carrying out workplace

assessment according to the labor conditions;

– development of proposals for improvement of the social partnership system, the main

directions of its development, and participation in development of the general agreement project

between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and republican associations of employees

and trade unions;

– control over implementation of the National Demographic Security Programme;

– analysis of condition and use of labor resources and employment of population,

development of prognosis evaluation of the labor market condition;

– organization and coordination of implementation of state and regional programs for

employment support of the population;

– organization of state supervision and control over compliance with the labor legislation.

The structure of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection

includes the Department of State Labor Inspectorate. Provision about the Department has been

approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 29.07.2006

№ 959. Tasks of the Department of State Labor Inspectorate are the following:

– supervision over compliance with the legislation on labor and labor protection;

– detection and restraint of violation of the legislation on labor and labor protection.

The system of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection also includes subdivisions of

oblast and Minsk City Executive Committees exercising state and authoritative powers in the

sphere of labor, employment and social protection, and territorial bodies of the Department.

Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (MES) is the republican state

administration body, which exercises regulation and control in the sphere of prevention and

management of emergency situations of natural and technogenic occurrence and civil defense,

ensuring fire safety, industrial, nuclear and radiation safety, mitigation of consequences of the

Chernobyl disaster, creation and safeguarding of state and mobilization material reserves, and

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also regulation in the sphere of safety of shipping of small ships on the inland water-ways of the

Republic of Belarus.

The main aims and tasks:

– organization of activities for emergency management and participation in emergency

management;

– participation in implementation of the state policy in the sphere of prevention and control

of emergencies, civil defense and ensuring the fire safety;

– within its competence, in support of functioning of state systems for prevention and

control of emergencies, civil defense and ensuring the fire safety, systems for monitoring and

forecast of emergency situations;

– coordination, within its competence, of activity of state bodies, other organizations in the

sphere of prevention and control of emergencies, civil defense and ensuring the fire safety;

– exercise of state supervision, control, licensing and other special functions in the sphere

of protection of the population and territories from emergency situations, civil defense and

ensuring the fire safety;

– civil defense administration.

Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter – Ministry of Forestry) is the

republican state administration body and is subordinate to the Government of the Republic of

Belarus.

The main tasks of the Ministry of Forestry are the following:

– implementation of state regulation functions in the sphere of forestry;

– operating the unified state policy in the sphere of use, protection, safeguard of the state

forestry fund and regeneration of forests, coordination of activities in this sphere of other

republican state administration bodies, local executive and regulatory bodies, legal bodies,

irrespective of ownership forms;

–forest planation, ensuring creation and cultivation of plants based on widely used

technological advance with the aim of satisfying to the fullest extent possible the requirements of

the economy and of the population in all types of forest products:

– state control over condition, use, protection, safeguard of the state forestry fund and

regeneration of forests;

– exercise of measures aimed at conservation and protection of forests;

– operating the unified state policy in the sphere of forest growing, ensuring creation of

necessary conditions for effective work of legal bodies, which are under the supervision of the

Ministry.

Ministry of Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter –

Ministry of Housing and Communal Services) is the republican state administration body and is

subordinate to the Government of the Republic of Belarus.

The main tasks of the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services are the following:

– formation and implementation of state policy in housing and communal services and

coordination of activities in this sphere of other republican state administration bodies, other

state organizations subordinate to the Government of the Republic of Belarus.

– exercise of state regulation of activity of the housing and communal services regarding

management of the state housing stock, use and safeguard of state and private housing stock;

– operating the single scientific and technological policy for development and functioning

of objects of housing and communal services, funeral arrangements, and on the issues of

construction, reconstruction, operation, maintenance and repair of streets of inhabited localities;

– timely, full and qualitative provision of the set of housing and utilities services to the

consumers;

– operating economic and scientific and technological policy with the aim of creation of

necessary conditions for effective work of state organizations, which are subordinate to the

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Ministry of Housing and Communal Services, and of organizations of the communal form of

ownership of the housing and communal services system, satisfaction of the requirements of the

national economy and of the population in housing and utilities services, improvement of quality

and extension of these services nomenclature.

The management structure of the housing and communal services includes the Ministry

of Housing and Communal Services, the corresponding subdivisions of local executive and

regulatory bodies, state associations, republican (except for the organizations included in the

Ministry of Energy), oblast, city and district communal unitary enterprises.

Infrastructure facilities of the housing and communal services refer to state ownership and

are in ownership of administrative-territorial units (communal property). The procedure of

control and disposition of the communal property is determined by the corresponding Councils.

Organizations of housing and communal services rendering services for heat supply of the

population are, as a rule, specialized or multi-activity unitary enterprises established by local

(city or district) executive and regulatory bodies (executive committees), to which the communal

property belongs on the basis of economic control rights and who own, use and dispose of this

property within the boundaries determined according to the legislation. Local executive committees

Competence of executive committees of different levels, including in the sphere of the housing

and communal services and servicing, is established by Law of the Republic of Belarus dated

04.01.2010 №108-З (rev. 04.01.2016) “On local government and self-government in the Republic of

Belarus”. As far as the new project is concerned, Executive committees:

– draw up and introduce for approval to the Councils projects of regional programs, concepts

(executive committees of the primary level – projects of action plans) on the issues of housing

construction, beautification of the corresponding territory, environmental protection and rational use

of natural resources, improvement of conditions and labor protection, radiation safety assurance,

protection of historical and cultural legacy and on other matters of local significance, ensure their

implementation;

– dispose of the communal property and also exercise control over its use on the corresponding

territory;

– dispose of environmental resources and take measures aimed at ensuring their protection and

rational use;

– organize discussion on the corresponding territory of important issues of local and republican

significance;

– inform citizens and organizations about the state of things on the corresponding territory on

matters of local significance;

– organize heat supply of the population on the corresponding territory;

– resolve issues of placement of construction objects on the corresponding territory;

– hold activities on protection of historical and cultural legacy;

– exercise control in the spheres of municipal-domestic and social service of citizens,

environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, labor protection, radiation safety

assurance, protection of historical and cultural legacy and in other spheres, which concern matters of

local significance, including departmental control.

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4. Baseline analysis

4.1 Geographical environment

The Republic of Belarus is an independent unitary state situated in the Eastern Europe,

with the territory of 207,6 thousand km2. It borders in the west with Poland, in the northwest –

with Lithuania, in the north – with Latvia, in the east and in the northeast – with Russia, in the

south – with Ukraine.

The country does not have access to the sea, but due to its geographical location Belarus is

an important trade and transportation corridor between Europe and the CIS countries. The

territory of the country is mainly even. Sparse highlands, which refer to Belarusian Ridge, do not

exceed in height 300 m (Minsk Highland – 345 m, Novogrudok Highland – 323 m, Oshmyany

Highland – 320 m). An average height of the surface of Belarus makes 160 m.

The north of the republic is occupied by Belarusian Lake District (Belarusian Poozeriye),

the largest part of which is occupied by Polotsk Lowland (absolute altitudes are 110-150 m),

surrounded on all sides by ridges and highlands, and in the southeast – by Chashniki Plain.

Eastern Lake District (Eastern Poozerye) is occupied by Luchosa Lowland and Surazhskaya

Lowland, which are separated by Vitebsk Highland (up to 295 m). Narochansko-Vileyskaya

Plain, surrounded by Minsk, Oshmyany and Sventsyany Highlands, is situated in the southwest

of Poozerye. A part of Srednenemanskaya Lowland, Verkhneberezinskaya and

Verkhnevileyskaya Lowlands also belong to Poozerye.

Belarusian Ridge includes Volkovyssk, Grodno, Minsk, Novogrudok, Orsha, Oshmyany,

Slonim Highlands and Kopyl Ridge. Belarusian Ridge is surrounded by Baranovichi,

Bykhovsko-Checherskaya, Goretsko-Mstislavskaya (plateau-like), Lida, Orshansko-

Mogilevskaya, Stolbtsy and Tsentralnoberezinskaya Plains, and also Verkhnenemanskaya

Lowland. Narevo-Yaseldinskaya and Pribugskaya Plains, and also Belovezhskaya Ridge are

situated in the southwest of BrestOblast. The district to the south of Belarusian Ridge is

combined into conventional PredPolesie, and Orsha Highland, Orshansko-Mogilevskaya and

Goretsko-Mstislavskaya Plains – in the geomorphological region of Eastern-Belarusian Plain.

The south of Belarus is occupied by Polesie, which is primarily of plain nature (absolute

altitudes are 120-150 m). From the geographical point of view, Polesie is divided (from west to

east) into Brestskoye, Pripyatskoye, Mozyrskoye and Gomelskoye. Multiple ancient inland

dunes rise above Polesie, which formed Mozyr Ridge (up to 208 m), Yurovichy Ridge, Logishin

and Khoiniksko-Braginskaya Highlands, and also Zagorodye Plain.

The territory of Belarus is situated within the west region of the north temperate zone and

has a moderately continental climatic pattern. Geographic latitude of location of the territory

between 56° and 51° of northern latitude determines the sun angle, which, in its turn, influences

the amount of incoming solar radiation.

Moderately-continental climate with frequent Atlantic cyclones, with mild and humid

winter, warm summer, damp autumn prevails in Belarus. An average annual air temperature is

from +7,4 °С in the southwest to +4,4 °С in the northeast. An average temperature of January

ranges from - 4 °С to - 8 °С, of July – from +17 °С to +19 °С. Average duration of vegetation

period is 184 – 208 days. Climatic conditions of Belarus are favorable for cultivation of the main

cereal crops, vegetables, fruit trees and bushes of the midland of the Eastern Europe and also for

cultivation of potato, linen flax, annual grasses, feeding root crops.

Atmospheric pressure gradually rises from the north and the northwest to the south and the

southeast. For example, in Vitebsk it is equal to 994,9 Pa, in Gomel– 1001,5 Pa. Average

pressure at sea level makes 1013,2 Pa. Maximum pressure over the whole territory of the country

is set in January. In summer pressure reduces over the warmed-up land. Within the territory of

Belarus, atmospheric air drop is from the west to the east. The lowest atmospheric pressure on

the territory of the country is recorded in July.

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Annual atmospheric air stroke leads to the fact that that winds of west and north-westerly

directions prevail in summer. Periodical alternation of zonal western air-mass transport to

meridional transfer is observed in the system of general atmospheric circulation, with air masses

displacement from the south to the north or from the north to the south. Atmosphere circulation

nature determines the type and characteristics of air masses coming to the territory of the

country.

Air temperature on the territory of the country is characterized by variability and

changeability. Minimum average monthly temperatures are observed in January and maximum –

in July. Long-time average annual temperature of January in Minsk is -6,9 °С, but quadrennially

it drops lower than -9 °С or higher than -4 °С. Long-time average annual temperature of July in

Minsk is +17,8 °С, but once in 30 years it exceeds +30 °С.

Air mass circulation and thermal conditions determine peculiarities of hydrological cycle

and precipitation regime, Annual absolute humidity course coincides overall with the annual

cycle of temperature: maximum is observed in summer, minimum – in winter. Relative humidity

reaches the maximum level during the winter period and makes 88-90%, and in summer and in

spring it falls to 65-70%. Annual average relative humidity is about 80%. The lowest relative

humidity of air (about 30%) is observed in May and in June, which leads to dry weather

(especially in the southeast of the country).

The territory of Belarus is situated in the sufficient moistening zone. Relief and cyclonic

activity nature affect distribution of precipitation. The amount of precipitation is increased on the

highlands, especially on their back slopes. Lowlands and downwind slopes of highlands receive

significantly fewer precipitations. Annual amount of atmospheric precipitations makes 550-650

mm on the lowlands and 650-750 mm on the plains and on the highlands.

Forest resources of Belarus hold a key position among its natural resources. Forestlands

occupy the area of more than 9 thousand ha, which makes 38,8 % of the whole territory of the

country.

Bogs occupy about one third of the whole territory of the country, they are especially

widely-spread in Polesskaya and Pridneprovskaya Lowlands. Pripyat bogs, which are the largest

boggy district in Europe, occupy the territory of 39 thous. km2 in the south of Belarus in Polesie.

Belarus is rich in water resources. There are more than 20 thousand rivers on its territory,

the total length of which is 90 thousand kilometers. The largest rivers are the Dnieper River

(with feeders Pripyat, Sozh, Berezina), Western Dvina, Viliya, Goryn, Western Bug, Neman

combined by a number of canals (Dnieper-Bug, Dnieper-Neman, Berezinsky). Rivers in Belarus

belong to the basin of the Black (58% of the territory) and the Baltic Seas (42% of the territory).

About 93 % of all rivers belong to small (with the length up to 10 km). River run-off during the

average water years amounts to 57,9 km3. Water impurity index of the main Belarusian rivers

fluctuates from “moderately clean” to “moderately contaminated”.

There are about 11 thousand lakes in Belarus, their total area is about 2 thousand km2,

Total water volume is about 6 km3. Most of lakes are situated in the north and in the northwest.

There are six protected by the state conservation areas on the territory of Belarus – four

national parks and two reserves:

– Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park;

– Braslav Lakes National Park;

– Narochansky National Park;

– Pripyatsky National Park;

– Polesie State Radioecological Reserve;

– Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve.

Also, about a hundred of nationwide wildlife sanctuaries are on the territory of the

republic.

Ecology of Belarus suffered from the Chernobyl disaster more than other countries.

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4.2 Socio-economic baseline

According to statistical data, the population of Belarus made 9491,8 thous. people at the

beginning of 2018. Of them, 7394,1 thous. people (77,9%) is urban population, and 2097,7

thous. people (22,1%) – rural. In gender relations 46,58% of the population are men and 53,42%

are women. The greater part of the population resides on the territory of the largest in the country

Minsk agglomeration. The largest cities are Minsk and Gomel.

Ethnic structure: 84% – the Belarusians, 8,3% – the Russians, 3,1% – the Poles, 1,7 – the

Ukrainians, 3,2% – representatives of other nationalities. Denominational composition of the

population: about 59% of the Belarusians consider themselves to be religious (2011), of them 82

% refer themselves to the Orthodox denomination, 12 % – to the Catholic denomination, 6% – to

other denominations (Protestants, Moslems, Jews). In total, there are 25 denominations in

Belarus.

Age distribution is the following:

– people younger than 15 years – 14,2% or 1347,8 thous. people (of which 51,4% are men,

48,6% are women);

– people at the age from 15 to 65 years – 71,7% or 6805,6 thous. people (of which 48,4%

are men, 51,6% are women);

– people older than 65 years – 14,1% or 1338,3 thous. people (of which 31,7% are men,

68,3% are women).

Elderly people and people of ripe years prevail in the age structure. The number of

pensioners at the end of 2017 made about 2.6 mln. people (27,4% of the total amount of

population).

Average expected lifespan at birth: of men – 65,6 years, of women – 77,2 years.

In Belarus, about 99,7% of the total amount of the adult population (older than 15 years)

can read and write in some language, about 0,3% of the adult population remain illiterate.

Literacy rate among the men adult population amounts to 99,79%, among the women adult

population – 99,68%. Total literacy rate among the youth (population at the age from 15 to 24

years inclusively) is 99,84%, for men and for women, correspondingly, 99,82% and 99,86%.

The state governs the relations between social, national and other communities based on

the principles of equality under the law, respect of their rights and interest (article 14 of the

Constitution of the Republic of Belarus).

In respect of the administrative and territorial division, the Republic of Belarus is

subdivided into 6 oblasts (Brest, Grodno, Minsk, Vitebsk, Mogilev and Gomel) and 118 districts.

The capital of the republic is the city of Minsk, which is also the separate administrative-

territorial unit along with the oblasts. The population of the republic lives in 202 cities and urban

settlements and 23181 rural-type settlements.

Belarus is an industrial and agricultural country. The most developed branches of industrial

production in Belarus are machine building, metal working, chemical and petrochemical

industry, mining industry (potassium and rock-salt mining), electrical energy industry, food,

light, wood processing and forestry industry. Agriculture holds an important place in the

economy of the country and ensures almost 8% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), in which

about 10% of the whole working population of the country is engaged. The Russian Federation is the most important partner of Belarus in terms of external trade.

The transport network facilitates development of the economy of the republic. But the economy

of the republic depends on energy supply to a large extent.

The most important direction of the state policy in the country is further increase of level

and quality of life of the population. Positive dynamics of growth in the population’s incomes

has been observed in the country in recent years. The share of the disadvantaged population, i.e.

of the citizens having the per capita income lower than the minimum subsistence budget, has

decreased from 42% in 2000 to 5,9% in 2017.

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4.3 Analysis of social and gender issues

The Republic of Belarus is a socially oriented state. The system of legal guarantees and

benefits for vulnerable segments of the people is widely developed in the Republic of Belarus, as

well as the system of state targeted social assistance, which is aimed at rendering temporary

material support to financially disadvantaged citizens and families who are in hardship and is

aimed at supporting of the disadvantaged citizens’ income at the level of the minimum

subsistence budget on the average per capita.

Also, the system of granting benefits for payment for housing and utilities services

according to Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.06.2007 № 239-З (as amended on

09.01.2017) “On state social benefits, rights and guarantees for certain categories of citizens” is

implemented in the country.

The main beneficiaries under the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project will be all

population strata residing in the multi-apartment buildings and using the district heating system.

At this stage, the project provides for introduction of additional benefits for socially vulnerable

segments of the people. Nevertheless, socially vulnerable segments of the people are also

beneficiaries of the project.

Implementation of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project will help to create additional

workplaces for the population, and to provide conditions for provision of permanent (or

additional) income for vulnerable segments of the population for needy families, the

unemployed. Appearance of additional workplaces for the population with low quality of life

will help them to increase incomes, to improve quality of life and living standards, welfare and

to increase opportunities for satisfaction of basic needs.

Implementation of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project will also help all segments of

the population to reduce expenditures on payment for housing and utilities services (for heat

energy).

Disseminating information to the population about social benefits from the Project

implementation, and taking into account wishes and remarks of the population will be executed

in the course of holding of public hearings.

Article 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus establishes that “Women are

provided with equal with men possibilities in getting education and professional training, in

labor and professional advancement (work), in social and political, cultural and other scopes of

activity, and also arrangement of conditions for their labor protection”.

The task of the gender politics in the republic is achievement of real gender equality,

establishing gender balance in all spheres of the society’s life.

The National plan of actions for provision of gender equality in the Republic of Belarus for

2017 – 2020, which is the fifth program document in this direction, was approved by Resolution

of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.02.2017 № 149.

Sequential implementation of national plans of actions for ensuring gender equality,

activities of government programs on different aspects of improvement of women’s status

allowed the Republic of Belarus to make decisive progress in settling the issues of equal rights

and possibilities both inside the country, and on the international arena.

30-percent representation of women at the decision level is ensured in the Republic of

Belarus by declared international documents. According to the results of election to the National

Assembly of the Republic of Belarus in 2016, the proportion of women increased and made

33,7% of the total aggregate membership of deputies of the House of Representatives and

members of the Council of the Republic.

Active measures of labor policy at the state and oblast level facilitated decline in women’s

unemployment: the level of registered unemployment made 0,7% among women and 1,2%

among men.

The principles of gender equality supported by the state will be complied with in the

course of implementation of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project.

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4.4 Analysis of the status of the forest fund

Forests are one of the main renewable natural resources and one of the most important

national wealth in the Republic of Belarus. Forests and forest resources are of considerable

importance for sustainable socio-economic development of the country, provision of its

economic, energetic, ecological and food safety. In terms of key indicators characterizing the

forest fund (forest cover of the territory, the area of forests and the stand of growing wood in

equivalent to one citizen). Belarus is included in top ten of forest countries of Europe. All forests

in the Belarus are exclusive ownership of the state.

While successfully implementing the principles of inexhaustible multi-target use, the forest

sector of Belarus is of great importance for stable functioning of the forest sector of the country,

facilitates development of related branches of the economy, makes a strong contribution in

performance of signed by the country international treaties of global level in the sphere of

environmental protection. Its economic, ecological and social role keeps steadily growing. All of

this affords ground to say that under modern conditions the forest sector turns from the

traditional resource-based industry into the infrastructure industry, one of the key industries in

the national economy complex, in particular, in rural districts of the country.

As a result of focused effort for regeneration of forests and forest growing, a positive

dynamic of the forestry fund has been reached. So, in the period from 1994, quantitative and

qualitative indicators of forests have improved.

– forested area has increased to 889,2 thous. ha from 7371,7 thous. ha to 8260,9 thous. ha;

– forest cover of the republic’s territory has reached 39,8% (has increased to 4,3%);

– the total standing crop has increased to 702,8 mln cub. m and has made 1796,0 mln cub.

m (incl. in ripe and old-growth stand – to 250,4 mln cub. m and has amounted to 296,0 mln cub.

m);

– stock on 1 ha of covered with the forest lands has increased to 69 cub. m and has made

217 cub. m per 1 ha; the stock of ripe and old-growth stand has increased to 54 cub. m and has

reached 267 cub. m per 1 ha;

– average age of stand has increased from 44 to 56 years.

Dynamics of the forest fund indicators of the Republic of Belarus is presented in Annex 7.

The main principles of organizing forest exploitation

The forestry of the republic functions under the conditions of exclusive state property for

forests, centralized forest administration and forest exploitation. The main principles of

organizing forest exploitation in Belarus are determined by the following regulatory documents:

– State Program “Belarusian Forest” for 2016-2020;

– National Strategy of Sustainable Development of the Republic of Belarus;

– Forest Code of the Republic of Belarus.

The mentioned documents determine the following aims of organizing forest exploitation:

– rational, inexhaustible and continuous use of forests;

– ensuring relatively constant forest exploitation within the forest fund for subjects of

forests management;

– exercise of ecologically sound (environmentally compatible) forest exploitation.

Among others, the following tasks are completed for the enumerated aims:

– ensuring reliable restoration and further regeneration of forests;

– observing ecological requirements in organizing multi-target forest exploitation:

preservation of forest environment, biodiversity, minimizing damage of ground vegetation, etc.;

– rational integrated use of wood and of other products derived at forest exploitation (for

this purpose, organization of complete added-value wood processing with the aim of product

recovery with the highest share of added value, complete waste utilization, incl. for the needs of

the energetics).

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Implementing in practice the principles of sustainable forest management and forest

exploitation, the forestry ensures not only constant forest exploitation within annual wood

increase, but also economic safety of the state, stable functioning of the national economy.

Forest exploitation is an economic basis of forest management and determines its intensity

level. It is presented by different types of use, predominantly harvesting of wood.

Harvesting of wood is exercised at final and intermediate felling – intermediate cutting,

selective sanitary felling and conversion cut. Regeneration felling and felling for planting

formation (restocking felling), sanitary felling, mopping, forest clearance for construction of

pipelines, roads, power lines and communication, other facilities are also carried out.

Timber harvesting

For 2017, 17,9 mln cub. m of merchantable wood has been harvested from all types of

felling in the Ministry of Forestry system, which is 2,8 mln cub. m more than in 2016.

For 2017, sale of round wood by forestry enterprises at the internal market made 12,4 mln

cub. m (133% to the similar period of the last year), including 7,9 mln cub. m of industrial wood

or 64% of the total turnover, 4,4 mln cub. m of cord wood or 36% of the total turnover.

Correspondingly, for January-March 2018 sale of round wood made 3,8 mln cub. m (139% to

the similar period of the last year), including 2,6 mln cub. m of industrial wood or 68% of the

total turnover, 1,2 mln cub. m of cord wood or 32% of the total sales revenue.

Sale of commercially dry lumber at the internal market for 2017 made 415,0 thous. cub. m

and increased in comparison with the similar period of the last year to 49,1 thous. cub. m, or

113%, correspondingly for January-March 2018 made 109,1 или 123% to the similar period of

2017.

7,2 mln cub. m (143,8%) of wood fuel was prepared in 2017, which includes production of

chip fuel of 1,8 mln cub. m. About 7 mln cub. m of wood fuel was sold, including 1,8 mln cub.

m of chip fuel.

There are no signs in the Republic of Belarus that demand for wood fuel can be a

determining factor at the wood fuel market. Because of disadvantages related to transportation,

transfer and storage, wood is harvested predominantly locally. A considerable part of wood fuel

supply is usually comprised of by-products of wood processing, manufacture of furniture, waste

of the construction sector and waste of the forestry industry, in particular, waste wood and chip,

which shall not be used for other commercial purposes.

Demand for wood fuel will be specified within the framework of a certain sub-project

implementation. But the figures presented above show that an additional demand for wood fuel

created in the course of the sub-projects implementation will be very insignificant in comparison

with annual wood procurement in the Republic of Belarus, and with the market volume.

So, execution in practice by forest enterprises of the Republic of Belarus of the principles

of sustainable forest breeding and forest reproduction allows to implement to the full Component

1 “Renewable wood biomass heating” within the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project.

Forest certification

Sustainable forest management is the main condition of development of the timber

complex of the country, increase of quality and improving of competitiveness of forest products

at the external market.

Forest certification is one of the activity areas of the Ministry of Forestry, which facilitates

ensuring productive capacity and sustainability of growing stock, increase of biodiversity in the

forests, minimization of a negative impact of forestry production on the environment, increase of

an export potential of the forest branch, removal of technical barriers in the international trade.

Forest certification is carried out according to the requirements of the international scheme

of the Forestry Stewardship Council FSC and within the framework of the Forest Certification

System of the National system of confirmation of conformity of the Republic of Belarus

recognized by the Pan European Forest Council (PEFC).

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Taking into account the requirements of the international scheme of the Forestry

Stewardship Council (FSC), 90 forestry enterprises or 7,7 mln. ha of the forest fund (92,1% of

the whole forest fund of the Ministry of Forestry) was certified as of January 1, 2017.

Forest administration and forest exploitation systems of 93 forestry enterprises of the

Ministry of Forestry over the area of 7,9 mln. ha of the forest fund were certified according to

the PEFC scheme.

Works on performing of annual audits for confirmation of certification requirements

fulfillment will be continued in 2018. Carrying out of forest certification within the framework

of the Forest certification system of the National system of confirmation of conformity of the

Republic of Belarus. The Forest certification system of the National system of confirmation of

conformity of the Republic of Belarus was recognized in 2010 by the PEFC Council as

complying with the requirements of the РЕFС (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification

schemes) – an international organization for recognition of national systems and forest

certification systems. Conformity certificates for forest administration and forest exploitation

systems, issued within the framework of the Forest certification system, have an international

status.

At carrying out of certification of the forest administration and forest exploitation systems,

quality conformance of forest administration, forest exploitation and forest recourses to the forest

legislation is verified, as well as to state standards of sustainable forest administration and forest

exploitation, to other TRLA, criteria and indicators regulating forest regeneration, conservation

and protection, wood procurement and of other resources to imposed requirements.

At carrying out of certification of forest products and wood derivatives on the grounds of

origin, its (their) origin from the forests, certified according to the requirements of the Forest

Certification System of the National system of confirmation of conformity of the Republic of

Belarus, is confirmed, as well as that during the process of its (their) production identification of

forest products and wood derivatives on grounds of origin is established.

Forest certification is carried out on a voluntary basis upon an initiative of legal bodies –

applicants by means of a contract conclusion between them, and the body for forest certification.

An applicant pays for all works of certification of the forest administration and forest

exploitation systems, forest products and wood derivatives on grounds of origin.

Planning and Surveying Republican Unitary Enterprise “Belgiproles” (accredited by

Gosstandart, certificate № BY/112 01.4.0.0001) is a body for forest certification. In case of

implementation of the sub-projects of Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass heating”

connected with construction/reconstruction of the wood biomass firing boiler house, two

compulsory requirements shall be fulfilled:

– woodchips or wood for woodchips production by communal district heating enterprises

shall be supplied only by certified forestry enterprises of the Republic of Belarus;

– there shall be confirmation of availability of sufficient amount of available materials

derived as a result of activity of existing forestry enterprises and that increase of demand for

them will not lead to changes in practice of forest management and forest exploitation (if

increase of the demand in connection with the sub-project implementation may lead to such

changes).

4.5 Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings in the Republic of Belarus

At present, the housing stock of the Republic of Belarus includes more than 1,5 mln. of

dwelling-houses with the total area of 256,4 mln. sq. m, including about 170 mln. sq. m (65%) –

in the multi-apartment buildings. Less than 6% of residential space is in state ownership, the

remaining 94% is private ownership of citizens and legal bodies.

Volumes of specific consumption of heat energy for heating and domestic hot water by

dwelling-houses and administrate buildings put into operation before 1994 (it is about 70% of

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the whole volume of the housing stock) make from 160 to 200 kW/h per sq. m per year, and for

specific houses – more than 250 kW/h per sq. m per year.

In the houses built from 1995 to 2009, average specific consumption of heat energy makes

up to 160 kW/h per sq. m per year. Starting from 2010, construction of so-called “energy

efficient houses” began in the country. At present, about 1,6 mln. sq. m of energy efficient

residential space with specific consumption of heat energy of less than 90 kW/h per sq. m per

year has been built in the country. According to the preliminary data, less than 9% of the

residential space, which is considered to be energy efficient, is exploited in the country. These

are new houses and residential buildings after modernization and overhaul.

One of the most accessible and efficient ways of energy economy existing in the housing

fund is reduction of heat losses due to enclosing structures of the buildings – thermal renovation.

Events for thermal renovation of facades of dwelling houses were excluded from the list of

works for overhaul in 2015, since that time facades weatherization at the cost of the budget was

carried out only in case of confirmed by an expert examination increased level of dampness in

the rooms, frost penetration to the apartments. At present, a draft decree about thermal renovation of the residential space has been

prepared, adoption of which is expected in the second half of 2018. It is supposed to create

conditions for an owner’s interest in increase of the level of comfort of his residential space. For

implementation of the mapped out program, it is planned to use innovation development funds of

the oblasts, funds of local budgets provided for overhaul and also credits of international

financial organizations.

Herewith, financing of thermal renovation of the residential space will be carried out not

only using budget funds, but also at the expense of the population as well. It is supposed to

establish remuneration of 20 % by the population and of 80 % by the budget.

According to a similar scheme, thermal renovation of 65 residential houses will be carried

out in the city of Minsk within the framework of the pilot project, which in addition to dwellers’

funds and the budget will include the credit of the European Bank of Reconstruction and

Development and proceeds from sale of residential space. The aim of this project is to show

efficiency of these events in order to disseminate experience throughout the republic. It total, it is

planned to carry out thermal renovation of 30 mln. sq. m of residential space in the Republic of

Belarus within 10 years.

It is also necessary to mention that from 2020 it is planned to build new houses in Belarus

with energy efficiency of not higher than 30-40 kW/h per sq. m per year, and broad-scale

thermal renovation of old houses, which was mentioned above, will allow to reach an energy

efficiency indicator in the housing stock of 90 kW/h per sq. m.

Considerable decrease of power consumption can be ensured at the cost of implementation

of a series of actions offered within the framework of Component 2 “Thermal renovation of

multi-apartment buildings” of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project.

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5. Analysis of environmental and social impact of the potential types of sub-projects

The sub-projects implementation can have both positive and negative impact. The positive

impact will be mainly expressed in improvement of the social and economic sphere

(employment, growth in prosperity, improvement of living conditions, etc.), while negative ––

relates to a series of adverse impact on the quality of the environment and health of the

population in the areas of the sub-project implementation. In case of a negative impact, it is

necessary to develop a plan of actions on minimization of possible negative consequences or

their avoidance.

5.1 Analysis of environmental and social impact for potential types of sub-projects

under Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass heating”

The project will finance a series of sub-projects, which have not been determined at

present yet. Therefore, their environmental and social impact, and also development of activities

on mitigation will depend on scale, combination and distribution of such consequences, which

are difficult to determine until the sub-projects details and certain activity will be known.

Nevertheless, negative consequences for the environment from the sub-projects implementation

are not expected to be long-term and broad-scale. In general case, at implementation of the sub-

projects of Component 1 negative environmental and social impact can be possible only at two

stages: construction (reconstruction); and operation of biomass boilers and buildings and

constructions.

Construction (reconstruction)

The following negative impacts are possible at the construction (reconstruction) stage:

A. Atmospheric air pollution.

The main processes causing atmospheric air pollution will be the following:

– pollutant emissions during work of motors of automobile transport and construction

machinery;

– pollutant emissions during welding works execution;

– pollutant emissions during painting works execution;

– dust pollution during excavating;

– dust pollution at disassembly of concrete structures.

B. Surface and ground waters contamination.

The main processes causing Surface and subterranean waters contamination will be the

following:

– leakage of combustive and lubricating materials (CLM);

– incorrect burial of wastes, oil-products and chemical substances;

– incorrect organization of rainwater drainage;

– incorrect installation of composting toilets.

C. Topsoil damage.

The main processes causing topsoil damage will be the following:

– construction works performance (construction of pipeline trenches, facility deployment,

organizing access lanes for machinery, organizing places of storage of materials and waste);

– spillages of combustive and lubricating materials (CLM) during work and servicing of

automobile transport on site;

– waste water impact.

D. Removal or damage of plants, impact on biodiversity.

The main processes causing removal or damage of plants, and also impact on biodiversity

will be the following:

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– construction works performance (construction of pipeline trenches, facility deployment,

organizing access lanes for machinery, organizing places of storage of materials and waste).

E. Waste formation.

Construction waste and also life wastage of construction personnel are generated in the

course of construction and installation works execution.

F. Impact of physical factors (noise, vibration, etc.).

During work of construction machinery, machines and mechanisms, increase of acceptable

levels of noise and vibration is possible, as well as of other physical factors, which can cause

impact both on construction personnel, and on the population residing in the district of work

execution.

G. Health of construction personnel.

In the course of construction and installation work execution, there exists a risk of bodily

injury of construction personnel because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor protection,

and safety measures.

H. Occurrence of emergency situations.

In the course of construction and installation work execution, there exists a risk of

occurrence of emergency situations because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor

protection, and fire safety.

I. Violation of road traffic organization.

Negative interference in traffic may occur in the course of construction works or during

construction of a heat network, and also of driving of specialized construction machinery to

public roads.

J. Social impacts.

At the stage of construction (reconstruction), minimum negative social impacts on local

population are possible, such as:

– disturbance because of noise, vibration and other physical factors;

– traffic violation at the pipeline sections situated on the residential sections or around

them;

– temporary restriction or people’s access lock to houses, land parcels or another private or

public property;

– disturbance caused by contractors’ inappropriate behavior, aesthetic state of theoblast,

etc.

Implementation of the sub-projects under Component 1 does not assume social impact in

form of involuntary resettlement.

Operation of biomass boilers

The following negative impacts are possible at the stage of operation of buildings and

constructions:

A. Atmospheric air pollution.

The main processes causing atmospheric air pollution will be the following:

– pollutant emissions during wood biomass burning;

– pollutant emissions during work of motors of automobile transport, which supplies fuel,

carries out waste collection, transport of staff;

– pollutant (or wood dust) emissions during preparation of woodchips;

B. Surface and ground waters contamination.

The main processes causing Surface and subterranean waters contamination will be the

following:

– waste water formation in the course of manufacturing processes implementation and life-

sustaining activity of the operating personnel.

С. Removal or damage of plants, impact on biodiversity.

Removal or damage of plants and also uncontrolled overgrowth are possible in the course

of carrying out business activities.

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D. Waste formation.

Production waste and also life wastage of construction personnel will be generated in the

course of carrying out of business activity.

E. Impact of physical factors (noise, vibration, etc.).

During work of construction machinery, increase of acceptable levels of noise and

vibration is possible, as well as of other physical factors, which can cause impact both on

construction personnel, and on the population residing in the district of work execution.

F. Health of construction personnel.

In the course of carrying out of business activity, there exists a risk of bodily injury of

construction personnel because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor protection, and

safety measures.

G. Occurrence of emergency situations.

In the course of carrying out of business activity, there exists a risk of occurrence of

emergency situations because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor protection, and fire

safety.

5.2 Analysis of adverse environmental and social impact for potential types of sub-

projects under Component 2 “Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)”

The project will finance a series of sub-projects, which have not been determined at

present yet. Therefore, their environmental and social impact, and also development of activities

on mitigation will depend on scale, combination and distribution of such consequences, which

are difficult to determine until the sub-projects details and certain activity will be known.

Nevertheless, negative consequences for the environment from the sub-projects implementation

are not expected to be long-term and broad-scale.

In general case, at implementation of the sub-projects of Component 2 negative

environmental and social impact can be mostly at the stage of execution of construction and

finishing work.

Construction and finishing work

A. Atmospheric air pollution.

The main processes causing atmospheric air pollution in the period of carrying out of

thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings will be the following:

– pollutant emissions during work of motors of automobile transport, which supplies

construction materials, carries out waste collection, transport of staff;

– particulate emission (dusting) as a result of removal of old coverings, drilling of holes for

anchors;

– pollutant emissions during welding work execution (welding and gas cutting of metal

elements);

– pollutant emissions during execution of painting works inside and outside the building

(during cosmetic repairs);

– pollutant emissions during gas burning in the burners used for heating of surfaces at

building up of rolled materials, melting of asphalt mastics.

B. Surface and ground waters contamination.

The main processes causing Surface and subterranean waters contamination will be the

following:

– leakage of combustive and lubricating materials (CLM);

– incorrect burial of construction waste;

– incorrect installation of composting toilets.

C. Topsoil damage.

The main processes causing topsoil damage will be the following:

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– construction works performance (organizing access lanes for machinery, organizing

places of storage of materials and waste);

– spillages of combustive and lubricating materials (CLM) during work and servicing of

automobile transport on site;

– spillages of paints and lacquers during execution of painting works inside and outside of

the building (during cosmetic repairs);

– waste water impact.

D. Removal or damage of plants, impact on biodiversity.

The main processes causing removal or damage of plants, and also impact on biodiversity

will be the following:

– construction works performance (organizing access lanes for machinery, organizing

places of storage of materials and waste).

E. Waste formation.

Construction waste and also life wastage of construction personnel will be generated in the

course of carrying out of construction and installation works.

Also, fecal waste will be generated in case of installation of a composting toilet for the

period of thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)

F. Impact of physical factors (noise, vibration, etc.).

During work of construction machinery, machines and mechanisms, and also execution of

construction and finishing work, increase of acceptable levels of noise and vibration is possible,

as well as of other physical factors, which can cause impact both on construction personnel, and

on the population residing in the district of work execution.

G. Health of construction personnel.

In the course of carrying out of construction activity, there exists a risk of bodily injury of

employees because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor protection, and safety measures.

H. Occurrence of emergency situations.

In the course of carrying out of business activity, there exists a risk of occurrence of

emergency situations because of failure to fulfill the requirements of labor protection, and fire

safety.

I. Violation of road traffic organization.

Negative interference in traffic may occur in the course of work of construction machinery

on the neighborhood roads, diverting of local traffic, and also driving of specialized construction

machinery to the public roads.

J. Social impacts.

At the stage of construction and installation work execution, minimum negative social

impacts on local population are possible, such as:

– disturbance because of noise, vibration and other physical factors;

– traffic violation on the neighborhood roads;

– temporary restriction or people’s access lock to houses, land parcels or another private or

public property, blocking of passages inside the buildings;

– disturbance caused by contractors’ inappropriate behavior, aesthetic state of the oblast,

exterior of buildings, etc.

According to the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus, thermal renovation of

multi-apartment buildings will be carried out without the procedure of temporary relocation.

All possible negative impacts on the environment and on public health during

implementation of the sub-projects and during further operation will be controlled by the

corresponding territorial bodies of the Ministry of Nature, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of

Labor and the Ministry of Social Protection, the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Along with

analysis of compliance by a legal body of the legislation in the sphere of environmental

protection and sanitary and epidemiological welfare, during monitoring it is provided for to

collect samples and to analyze the contents of polluting substances in the atmospheric air,

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surface and subterranean waters, soils, change of the levels of physical action (noise, vibration,

etc.).

It is established by the legislation that violation of regulatory legal acts in the sphere of

environmental protection, of ecological safety requirements, violation of the procedure for

implementing design solution of the planned business and another activity subject to the State

Ecological Expertise, arrangements for land use and requirements for its protection, damage of

soils, illegal destruction, elimination or damage of trees and bushes or another vegetation,

atmospheric air pollution, pollution or clogging of water, etc. entail imposition of a fine on guilty

persons at the rates provided for by the legislation.

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6. Rules and procedure of environmental and social screening and assessment

6.1 Procedures of environmental and social screening of the World Bank and the

European Investment Bank

According to Safeguard Policies OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, the World Bank

and the European Investment Bank classify the offered sub-projects as one of four the categories

according to the type, venue, “ecological perceptibility” and scopes, and also nature and the

amount of its potential impact on the environment: А, B, C and FI (ФП).

Category A. A sub-project is referred to this category, if it has a negative impact on the

environment, which will be significant, diversified or unprecedented. Such significant,

diversified or unprecedented impact may be characterized by direct emission of a large amount

of polluting substances, which can cause deterioration of quality and even degradation of water

resources, soils and atmospheric air; broad-scale physical disruption or dislocation of a site

and/or environment; cutting-down, use or transformation of a considerable part of forest areas

and other natural resources; significant (nonrandom) accumulation of hazardous substances;

people’s involuntary resettlement and also other significant social changes. Such impacts are

usually integrated, cover large territories and sectors and create specific precedents. An impact is

usually rendered as a result of implementation of the main project activities and covers the whole

territory or the whole sector.

Such impact can cover the territory, which is larger than sites or facilities, on which it is

expected to execute works. In the course of environmental assessment under the sub-project of

Category A, potential positive and negative impacts of the sub-project for the environment are

examined, they are compared with consequences of possible alternative variants (including the

situation of “refusal from the project implementation”), and also measures for prevention,

minimization, mitigation or compensation of a negative impact on the environment and its more

rational use are recommended.

The Borrower bears responsibility for preparation of a report under the sub-project of

Category A, usually in the form of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) (or

a corresponding comprehensive rational or branch environmental assessment).

The sub-projects of Category A will not be financed within the framework of the

Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project.

Category B. A sub-project is referred to Category B if is potential negative impact on

people or environment-oriented regions, including wetlands, forests, grazing lands and other

native habitats, cause slighter damage than sub-projects of Category A. These consequences

depend on a certain sub-project area; presence of irreversible effects; and in most cases measures

of mitigation of a negative impact yield to development easier than under the sub-projects of

Category A. The scopes of the environmental assessment under the sub-projects of Category B

may vary in different sub-projects, however, they are smaller than under the sub-projects of

Category A.

In the course of the environmental assessment, similar to the sub-projects of Category A,

possible positive and negative environmental impacts of the sub-project are examined, and also

recommendations for prevention, minimization, mitigation or compensation of a negative impact

and more rational use of the environment are given. Conclusions and results of the

environmental assessment under the sub-projects of Category B are set forth in the design

documents.

Category C. A sub-project is referred to Category C, if possibility of its negative impact

on the environment is minimal or equal to zero. Apart from preliminary assessment (screening),

no further actions for environmental assessment for the sub-projects of Category C are required.

Category FI (ФП). A sub-project is referred to Category FI, if it presupposes investment

of the Bank’s funds through a financial intermediary in the sub-projects, which can have

negative environmental consequences. Financing of the sub-projects through financial

intermediaries in the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project is not planned.

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6.2 Procedures of environmental and social screening

Each sub-project financed within the framework of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up

Project is subject to environmental screening and assessment. The aim of environmental

assessment is determination of the most vulnerable environmental media and of an expected

impact for each potential participating region or territory of project events, development of

measures aimed at mitigation (alleviation or recovery) of negative impact consequences.

Preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework was selected as an

instrument, which satisfies the requirements of the World Bank and the European Investment

Bank for environmental assessment at the moment, Within the framework of the Sustainable

Energy Scale-Up Project, a series of the sub-projects, the impact of which is difficult to

determine until details of the sub-projects and their certain activity will be known, is subject to

financing.

The Project Management Unit (the PMU, more details about the PMU are in p. 9.2) shall

assess each sub-project and carry out screening according to the requirements of the World Bank

in order to determine the category of each sub-project (В or С). If a result of screening the sub-

project falls under Category C, no further actions are required. If a sub-project is referred to

Category B, either development of the Environmental and Social Management Plan is required

(Category B high), or filling in of the Checklist for Impact Assessment (Category B low)

Taking into account offered activity within the framework of the sub-project and its

potential impact on the environment, the PMU will make a decision about the sub-project

category.

Criteria of environmental screening are listed in Annex 8, which shall help the PMU

specialists to determine to which category (В or С) each sub-project implemented within the

framework of the Project will be referred.

In case the PMU specialists encounter some difficulties in determination of the sub-project

category, they shall consult with the Environmental Specialist of the World Bank and the

European Investment Bank, who will help to identify this or that category.

Having performed preliminary analysis, the following can be assumed:

Since the base quantity of offered sub-projects of Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass

heating” is construction (reconstruction) of boiler houses and heating networks, they can be

referred to Category B, their negative impact on the environment is less than those of the sub-

projects of Category A and concerns the location area of a certain facility.

The sub-projects of Package of measures B and the “Plus” variant of Component 2

“Thermal renovation of Multi-Apartment Buildings” can also be referred to Category B.

Category B low will supposedly include the sub-projects of Package of measures B and of

the “Plus” variant of Component 2 “Thermal renovation of Multi-Apartment Buildings”, which

include integrated thermal renovation, namely:

– installation of individual heat substations (ITSs) in the buildings;

– installation of radiator thermostats in the apartments;

– replacement of all windows (in case they have not been replaced by the households

individually yet);

– replacement of entrance doors;

– measures for heat insulation of exterior walls, basements and roofs;

– interior finishing;

– cosmetic repair of buildings.

Filling in of the Checklist for Impact Assessment is required for such sub-projects (Annex

9).

Category B high will supposedly include the sub-projects of Component 1 “Renewable

wood biomass heating”, including not large-scale construction work, namely:

– transfer of inefficient gas boiler houses to wood chips;

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– installation of new peak boilers;

– modernization of district heating networks and creation of Individual heat substations

(IHS), systems for monitoring and control of performance parameters;

– development of local sites for preparation of wood fuel

– installation of boilers on the pellets in proximity to the buildings, etc.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (the ESMP) is designed for the sub-

projects of Category B high (approximate structure is presented in Annex 10) and also the ESIA

section (if conducting of the ESIA is required according to the legislation of the Republic of

Belarus) with subsequent undergoing of the State Ecological Expertise. The list of facilities,

which require conducting of the ESIA according to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, is

presented in Annex 5.

For the sub-projects of Category B financed by the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank, during carrying out of the environmental assessment the Borrower shall

exercise consultations with all interested parties in respect of possible environmental impact and

take into account their remarks and comments in future. The interested parties shall include the

population, which can be subject to a negative impact of the design activity, and also local and

non-governmental organization (NGOs). The Borrower shall initiate such consultations at the

early stage of the project activity. Consultations shall be organized minimum once. For more

effective consultations between the Borrower and the group of persons, who can be subject to the

project activities impact and also local NGOs, for the sub-projects of Category B, the Borrower

shall prepare all necessary materials in a timely manner and provide them to the interested

parties in in an intelligible and understandable form and language. Holding public consultations

in the Borrowing country for the sub-projects of Category B is a necessary condition.

Category C will supposedly include the sub-projects of Component 3 “Technical

assistance and implementation support” of Package of measures A of Component 2 “Thermal

renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)”, which includes not large-scale construction

work, such as:

– installation of individual heat substationы (ITS) in the buildings;

– installation of radiator thermostats in the apartments;

– replacement of windows;

– replacement of entrance doors;

– interior finishing;

– cosmetic repair of buildings.

Apart from screening, no other measures, connected with environmental assessment, are

required for such sub-projects.

6.3 Preparing an Environmental and Social Management Plan

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the sub-project includes a set

of measures for mitigation and monitoring, and also of institutional measures, which shall be

taken in the period of the project execution for remediation of unfavorable environmental and

social consequences, their neutralizing or reduction to an acceptable level. The Plan also

presupposes actions necessary for implementation of these measures. Within the framework of

some sub-projects of Category B, the ESMP is one of the necessary components of reports on

the EA. With respect to many other projects of Category B, the environmental assessment result

may be limited only by drawing-up of the ESMP (if conducting of the ESIA is not required).

The ESMP is drawn up for specific sub-projects by efforts of the subproject beneficiaries

(or on his assignment – by the design organization) on the basis of this Framework Document

and, if available, of reports on the ESIA and/or EP (environment protection) sections of the

design documents.

The ESMP project is reviewed and accepted by the PMU.

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The ESMP project is subject to public consultations according to the legislation of the

Republic of Belarus and Safeguard Policies of the Bank and is published by the subproject

beneficiary on its website for access of all local interested parties. After public hearings and

approval (coordination) by the Bank, the ESMP is confirmed by the subproject beneficiary.

The ESMP is an integral part of the bidding documents and the contract with the

Contractor for execution of construction and installation works. In particular, the ESMP:

– determines and sums up all expected considerable unfavorable impacts on the

environment and the social sphere;

– describes with technical details all measures for mitigation, including type of impact, to

which a certain measure is referred, and conditions of its use (if possible – attaching drawings,

equipment description, operating methods and other technical documents);

– contains preliminary assessments of any potential impact of these measures on the

environment.

The ESMP also determines the aims of monitoring and specifies monitoring type, and also

establishes its correlation with the types of actions, assessment of which is given in the

environmental assessment report and measures for mitigation measures described in the ESMP.

In particular, the following is specified in the ESMP section on monitoring:

– specific description and technical details of measures for mitigation, including

parameters subject to measurements, monitoring methods, which shall be used, the place of

sample selection, measurement frequencies, sensibility limits (if necessary) and also

determination of threshold values indicating the necessity of adjustment;

– procedures of conducting monitoring and reporting with the aim of ensuring timely

detection of the conditions, which require application of specific measures for alleviation and

provision of information about the course and results of work on mitigation.

An approximate structure of the ESMP is provided in Annex 10.

6.4 Environmental and Social Management Plan Checklist

An alternative form of the ESMP in the form of the Checklist has been developed for the

sub-projects with a low risk level (Category B low) to ensure recoding and implementation of the

basic best practice measures and at the same time to create convenient to use document

corresponding to the World Bank and the European Investment Bank requirements.

The ESMP Checklist consists of three sections:

Part 1 is a descriptive part, which specifies characteristics of the sub-project in terms of

physical location in-situ, organizational conditions regulating legislative and regulatory

frameworks; description of the project is also given, which includes that its need in the program

of increasing technical and organizational capabilities is specified, and also description of the

public consultation process is given. This Part can be about two pages in volume, Annexes can

be used for more information, if necessary.

Part 2 sets forth results of assessment of possible environmental and social impacts within

the framework of the sub-project, herewith, assessments are given in simple form “yes” or “no”,

and then measures for mitigation are given for each separate work type. At present, this list

suggests examples of possible consequences. There is a possibility to extend the list of

problematic issue and/or impacts in the checklist.

Part 3 shall include the work control (monitoring) plan in the course of construction and

the project execution.

Part 2 and Part 3 of the Checklist will be included in the Bidding Documents for the

contractor.

At practical application of the Checklist, one shall fill in Part 1 of this document, where all

corresponding characteristics of the work area are enumerated and documented. Part 2 specifies

types of scheduled works, marks are ticked in the boxes, a filled in tabular form of the Checklist

is saved and annexed as an integral part to the contract for work execution and, by analogy with

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all other technical and commercial conditions of these works, is signed by contract parties. Part 3

of the Checklist, namely, the work monitoring plan, is designed for the job inspector, for proper

expertise of quality of safety conditions fulfillment by the contractor.

The ESMP Checklist is presented in the Annex 9.

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7. Guidelines for mitigation of environmental and social impacts

The guidelines for mitigation of environmental and social impacts, which shall be adhered

to in preparation of ESMPs for selected sub-projects include the following:

– project life cycles and specific measures within the framework of construction

(operating) activity;

– potential impact on the environment and the social sphere connected with offered

measures;

– offered mitigation measures based on the international best practice;

– offered events for supervisory action, monitoring and reporting preparation.

The guidelines are presented in the Annex 11.

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8. Technical assistance for environmental and social issues

In order to ensure successful implementation of the requirements of this Framework

Document, there exists a necessity in conducing of a number of training workshops and events

aimed at workforce capacity building of all parties involved in the Project implementation. The

PMU specialists shall undergo training in the following directions:

– purpose and basic l provisions of the Framework Document;

– analysis of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank requirements at

conducting of the environmental and social screening procedure;

– requirements of the Operational Policies of the World Bank and the European Investment

Bank;

– requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental

protection (EP).

Within the framework of implementation of the sub-projects of Component 2 “Thermal

renovation of Multi-Apartment Buildings”, it is necessary to prepare a training program for

capacity building of new created oblast Thermal modernization funds with regard to

environmental and social impact assessment for determining potential environmental and social

impacts of financed sub-projects and preparation of ESMPs.

Special attention should be given to the issues of energy audit and rate setting of the use of

fuel and energy resources (FER), and also energy saving and increase of efficiency of fuel and

energy resources use, issues of organization of industrial environmental control.

Representatives of created oblast Thermal modernization funds shall study the following

provisions:

– Concept of Energy Security of the Republic of Belarus approved by Resolution of the

Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 23.12.2015 № 1084;

– State Program “Energy Saving” for 2016–2020 approved by Resolution of the Council of

Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 28.03.2016 № 248.

With formal adoption of a decree about thermal modernization of the residential space,

representatives of created oblast Thermal modernization funds shall study its basic provisions

with the aim of their effective implementation in practice.

Organizations carrying out training in these directions are the following:

– State Educational Institution “Republican Center of State Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of Executive Employees and Specialists” (departmental subordination –

the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus);

– the State Institute of professional development and personnel training at gas supply field

“GAS-INSTITUTE” (departmental subordination – the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of

Belarus);

– Educational Institution “State Training Center of Training, Further Training and

Development of Personnel “ZHILKOM” (departmental subordination – the Ministry of Housing

and Communal Services of the Republic of Belarus);

An important direction of training is visiting of other countries with the aim of studying

international experience of similar Projects implementation.

Training for contracting organizations, executing works for construction (reconstruction),

shall also be organized concerning execution of construction work according to the requirements

of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental protection, labor

protection, and safety measures, sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.

In addition to it, there shall be organized training for the employers’ representatives

concerning pursuit of activities for operation of buildings and constructions according to the

requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental

protection, labor protection and safety measures, sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the

population.

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The training program for the specialists engaged in the Project implementation, with

indication of the budget for its use, is presented in Annex 12.

Training programs will be coordinated by the PMU and by the World Bank/the European

Investment Bank in the course of the Project implementation.

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9. ESMF Institutional arrangements and EA capacity building

9.1 Parties involved in ESMF implementation

The Parties involved in execution of this Environmental and Social Management

Framework are the following:

– the Project Management Unit (the PMU);

– the Subproject beneficiaries;

– the State inspection bodies.

9.2 The Project Management Unit

The Project will be implemented by the Energy Efficiency Department of the State

Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus. The Project Management Unit (the

PMU) will be created for the purpose of the Project implementation in RUE

“Belinvestenergosberezhenie”, which will be responsible for implementation of Component 1

and Component 3, and oblast Thermal modernization funds, which shall be created before

beginning of negotiations under the Project, will be responsible for Component 2. The PMU will

render assistance to final beneficiaries in implementation of the project activities.

The PMU will be responsible for:

– development of the ESMF;

– control over implementation of the main provisions of the ESMF and ESMP in practice

(including organization of on-site inspections);

– consulting of the project participants on the issues of the environmental protection and

the social sphere protection;

– general monitoring and control over implementation of the ESMF;

– work with employers and consulting of them on the issues of the ESMP preparation,

monitoring of their implementation, and also discussion with them of specific environmental

issues and problems, solution approaches;

– conducting thermovision inspections of multi-apartment buildings within the framework

of implementation of the sub-projects of Component 2 (before and after the sub-project

implementation).

The PMU will analyze contracts and applications for credit financing in order to identify

and to include necessary measures for mitigation of negative consequences on the environment

and the social sphere. The PMU shall periodically collect information about changes in the

project activities and their impact on the environment and control the situation at the sub-project

areas. The PMU will also conduct preliminary assessment of the sub-projects and determine the

sub-project category according to the requirements of the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank.

In case of failure to fulfill worked out measures for mitigation of negative consequences on

the environment during the sub-projects implementation, the PMU has the right to make a

decision concerning continuation of further financing of the project activities.

The PMU will monitor over implementation of the ESMP within the framework of the sub-

projects, including control and monitoring. Provisions of the ESMP shall be integrated in the

contracts for work execution for each sub-project, specifying the cost of environment protection

measures.

At the stage of the sub-project approval, the PMU shall make sure that the offered project

activities do not contravene the national legislation in the sphere of environmental protection and

the requirements of the local bodies of the Republic of Belarus. All corresponding materials and

copies of permissions shall be stored in the PMU in the separate folders for each sub-project and

be available for review by the representatives of the World Bank and the European Investment

Bank.

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The PMU is also imposed control over organization and conducting of public discussions

on the sub-projects, offered for inclusion to the project, and provision of access to the

information for the interested public according to the legislation.

The PMU will also engage an Environmental Specialist, whose responsibilities will include

consulting of design organizations, construction organizations-contractors, heads of the housing

and communal services organizations for the issues of compliance with the Bank policies and the

legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental protection. The

Environmental Specialist will also perform analysis of the design documents for compliance

with the requirements of the ESMF with provision of a conclusion, monitoring of the ESMP

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of measures for prevention and mitigation of the

consequences included in the ESMP.

The Environmental Specialist will also be responsible for interaction with territorial bodies

of the Ministry of Nature, and also periodical visits of the sub-projects area with the aim of

collecting information about current compliance with the requirements of the ESMF and the

legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

Afterwards, the Environmental Specialist will also determine the necessity of providing

training for the employers with the aim of knowledge level increase and inclusion of

environmental protection and social issues.

9.3 Sub Project beneficiaries

Component 1. Renewable wood biomass heating

All district heating enterprises, offered for participation in the Project, are subordinate to

the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services and oblast or district (city) executive

committees.

These enterprises shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of the

legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the sphere of environmental protection and the

requirements determined in the ESMP. With this aim, the enterprises will determine (or in the

absence – will engage) the Environmental Specialist, whose responsibilities will include the

following:

– control over compliance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of

Belarus in the sphere of environmental protection and of the requirements determined in the

ESMP;

– maintaining the document register confirming exercise of consultations with all

interested parties and also results of state ecological expertise and other expert conclusions;

– monitoring that contractors execute all requirements of the ESMP;

–identifying of all environmental and social issues at the city and district level, which can

emerge in the course of the sub-projects implementation;

– interaction with territorial bodies of the Ministry of Health;

– control over compliance with the measures aimed at mitigation, assessment of their

efficiency;

– if necessary, consulting of the contractors on the issues of the ESMP implementation;

– interaction and information exchange with the PMU concerning execution of the ESMP.

Component 2. Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)

The housing stock of the Republic of Belarus consists of the state and private houses:

The state housing stock includes the following:

– republican housing stock – a part of the housing stock, which is in republican ownership

(ownership of the Republic of Belarus);

– communal housing fund – a part of the housing stock, which is in communal ownership

(ownership of administrative-territorial units).

The state housing stock includes dwellings of the state housing stock, which are in

economic control or operating management of local executive and regulatory bodies, other state

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bodies, other state organizations, including residential accommodation of social use, corporate

housing, residential accommodation in the shared households, residential accommodation of the

special office housing stock, special residential accommodation, residential accommodation of

commercial use and other residential accommodation.

Private housing stock includes the following:

– citizens’ housing stock – a part of the housing stock, which is in citizens’ ownership;

– housing stock of organizations of non-state form of ownership – a part of the housing

stock, which is in ownership of organizations of the non-state form of ownership.

Oblast Thermal modernization funds will be responsible for implementation of Component

2, which shall be created before the beginning of negotiations under the project. Oblast Thermal

modernization funds will work in close cooperation with corresponding oblast and district

executive committees.

It is assumed that authorized persons for administration of common property will be

included in the Oblast Thermal modernization funds:

- in case of state property – local housing and communal services;

- in case of private property - condominium associations (CAs) or corporate owners of the

housing stock.

The Employers shall fulfill the provisions of this Framework Document.

Oblast Thermal modernization funds shall have a Safeguards Specialist, who is responsible

that activity for the project implementation corresponds to the requirements of the ESMF and the

legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Primary duties of the specialist are similar to the duties of

the Environmental specialist under Component 1. Additionally, the specialist will be responsible

for conducting subprojects environmental and social screening. The received information shall

be transferred directly from the Environmental Specialist to the PMU.

9.4 State inspection bodies

The main function of the State Inspection Bodies is the following:

– verification of compliance of the requirements of this Framework Document with the

requirements of the applicable legislation of the Republic of Belarus;

– control within their competence over compliance by all parties, participating in the Project

implementation, of the requirements of the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

Correct implementation by all parties, engaged in execution of the ESMF, of their

functions and obligations is a key condition of successful implementation of the Sustainable

Energy Scale-Up Project.

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10. Monitoring and reporting

Regular monitoring on the part of the PMU is compulsory for effective fulfillment of the

requirements of the ESMF and ESMPs and should cover all sub-projects financed under the

Project. The PMU will be responsible for general monitoring and assessment of the results of the

sub-projects implementation, and also for preparation of semi-annual and mid-term reports about

the progress of the Project implementation.

The PMU will semiannually receive from the enterprises, which carry out the sub-projects

implementation, a report according to the form “Indicators of Results Achievement” (Annex 13).

The Employers shall conduct monitoring according to the plan presented in the ESMP.

Monitoring provides for regular supervision over implementation of all physical activities

executed by the Contractors at the cost of the Project financing and tracking of the ESMP

execution. According to the monitoring results, the Employer shall develop a report in form

“Indicators of Results Achievement” and send it to the PMU. Also, copies of the supporting

documents shall be attached to the report.

Implemented and not implemented measures for impact reduction will be presented in

these reports; nature of corrective actions elaborated for problem solution will be explained;

complaints and penalties, received in the process of the sub-projects implementation, will be

described; held seminars and other events for workforce capacity building will be presented as

well. Based on received from the Employers data, the PMU prepares reports for the World

Bank/the European Investment Bank about the progress of the Project implementation.

Reports shall contain the “Analytical information” (Annex 13). The reports shall also be

supplemented with current photos, copies of supporting documents. All materials for monitoring

in situ will be stored in electronic or in hard copy in the PMU and will be provided to the World

Bank/the European Investment Bank upon the request of the latter.

In addition to it, it will be necessary for the PMU to publish an annual report about the

progress of the Framework Document performance on the Project web-site, and also to provide

the information on environmental and social impact in the course of the sub-projects

implementation to all interested parties.

Specialists of the PMU and of the World Bank/the European Investment Bank will conduct

periodical supervision missions with the aim of assessing compliance of the project activities

implementation with the requirements of the ESMF and ESMPs.

In addition to it, as a part of fulfillment of the monitoring requirements, the mechanism of

complaints consideration is determined in the PMU. Information about this procedure will be

posted on the PMU’s web-site and also on the Borrowers’ sites.

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11. Grievance Redress Mechanism

11.1 Complaint consideration procedure

Transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of the Project. The Grievance

Redress Mechanism (GRM) has been created for this purpose within the framework of the

Project. The aim of the GRM is to increase accountability to the Project beneficiaries and to

provide the ways for feedback with the interested parties of the Project on the issues concerning

events within the framework of the Project. Among other things, this mechanism allows to

identify and to solve the problems influencing the Project. Increasing transparency and

accountability, the GRM is aimed at reduction of the risk that the Project will involuntarily

inflict harm on citizens/beneficiaries and will serve as an important feedback mechanism for

improvement of the impact made by the Project.

This mechanism is aimed not only at receipt and registration of complaints, but also at the

complaints consideration process. In spite of the fact that feedback shall be considered at the

stage of the complaint submission, all complaints shall be registered in the general system

according to fundamental provisions of the GRM.

11.2 Ways of complaints submission

Within the framework of the Project, the following ways are identified, with the help of

which beneficiaries/persons covered by the Project can submit complaints concerning the events

financed by the Project:

– to special e-mail address: [email protected];

– to the project web-site: http://www.bies.by/;

– letters are sent to the following address: the Republic of Belarus, 220037, the City of

Minsk, 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg 2N, the PMU “Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project”;

– by fax: +375 17 360 46 83;

– written complaints are provided to the PMU (by means of holding of a meeting).

Within the framework of the Project, the PMU shall ensure flexibility in use of available

ways by any persons, who wish to submit a written complaint. Complaints connected with current sub-projects, financed by means of provision of

currency resources of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank within the Sustainable

Energy Scale-Up Project, are admitted to consideration. All applications, including anonymous

ones, are subject to consideration.

When submitting a complaint, an applicant may also offer acceptable from his point of

view ways of problem solution.

The PMU accepts complaints connected with current sub-projects financed by means of

provision of currency resources of the World Bank and of the European Investment Bank within

the framework of the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project only during the validity period of the

investment contract.

11.3 Confidentiality and conflict of interest

Complaints may be submitted anonymously, and confidentiality shall be ensured in all

cases, including when personality of a person, who submits a complaint, is known. For this

reason, there have been created several ways of complaints submission in order to avoid conflicts

between the interested parties.

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11.4 Collection/receipt of complaints

A person, who accepts a complaint, shall fill in the Record of complaints/inquires (Annex

14) or provide a form to the applicant for self-filling in and shall immediately provide it to the

PMU. Then a complaint shall be immediately sent to the general registration system for sorting

and redirection to the corresponding department responsible for investigation and consideration

of complaints, or directly to the PMU, if application is connected with specific activity under the

Project. The Director of RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE” is responsible for

determination of a person, to whom a complaint shall be sent, whether a complaint requires

investigation (or not) and the response period.

At determination of a person, who will be an employee for investigation, the Director of

RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE” ensures absence of a conflict of interests, i.e. all

persons participating in the investigation process, shall have no material, personal or professional

interest in the results and no personal or professional connection with applicants or witnesses.

A person, who is responsible for managing the GRM reports, enters these data in the

Register of complaints.

Number and type of proposals and questions shall also be registered and reported in order

to analyze them for better cooperation with the Projects.

11.5 Investigation

According to Law of the Republic of Belarus dated July 18, 2011 N 300-3 (edition dated

July 15, 2015) “On applications from citizens and legal bodies” with further changes, complaints

are considered within 15 working days from the moment of a complaint receipt, and complaints,

which require additional investigation and examination of documents, are considered within one

month. A person, responsible for a complaint investigation, will collect the facts in order to get a

clear picture about the conditions connected with the complaint, Investigation/follow-up may

include the construction site visit, review of the documents and meeting with those, who can

solve the problem.

Investigated findings and an offered answer to an applicant will be submitted for

consideration to the Director of RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE”, who will make

a decision about the progress of work. After the decision has been made, and upon the

applicant’s application, an investigation specialist describes actions, which shall be taken in the

Record of complaints, and also detailed data about investigations and conclusions, and provides

an answer to the Director of RUE “BELINVESTENERGOSBEREZHENIE” for signing.

11.6 Answer to the Applicant

If the Applicant is known, information about offered measures is reported to him/her by

means of a letter, an e-mail, orally, upon receipt. An answer shall be based on investigation

records and, if necessary, contain references to the national legislation.

The deadline for the complaint investigation can be increased to 30 working days, and it is

necessary for the Applicant to report about this fact, in case:

– further consultations for provision of an answer to the complaint are necessary;

– the complaint is of a serious nature, and it is necessary to investigate additional materials

for an answer.

11.7 Publication

After the case has been solved, a complaint and measures taken for its resolution will be

published on the following web-site: http://www.bies.by/

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11.8 Transparency

Policy, procedures and regular updates of the GRM, and also submitted and resolved

complaints will be available on the Internet on the web-site http://www.bies.by/, and also (if

possible) on local/ministerial Internet platforms and other permanent stands. They will be

updated quarterly.

11.9 Periodic internal monitoring and reporting

The Project Coordinator will quarterly assess functioning of the GRM for:

– provision of quarterly summaries of the GRM findings, including any proposals and

questions to the PMU and the management;

– review of stages of complaint investigation for tracking of those, which have not been

resolved yet, and offering necessary measures for remedying of the situation.

During semi-annual general meetings, the PMU shall discuss and consider efficiency and

use of the GRM, and also collect proposals on how to improve this mechanism.

11.10 Reporting in quarterly and annual reports about the progress of activity

provided to the Bank

Quarterly and annual reports shall include the GRM section, which provides updated

information about the following:

– functioning of the GRM (procedures, staffing personnel, training, campaigns for raising

public awareness, budget process, etc.);

– quantitative data about the number of received complaints, including number of

complaints, which were really relevant to the Project, and about the number of complains, which

have been considered;

– qualitative data about complaints type and provided on them answers, problems, which

have remained unsettled;

– time necessary for complaints resolution;

– number of complaints resolved at the lowest level, number of complaints brought to

higher authorities;

– any specific questions related to procedures/staff schedule or use of the mechanism;

– factors, which may influence the use of the feedback system for the GRM/beneficiaries;

– corrective actions taken.

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12. ESMF disclosure and public consultation

12.1 General requirements for disclosure of the ESMF

For risk minimization, ensuring effective Project implementation, prevention or reduction

of potential negative impacts of the sub-projects on the environment and social sphere, and also

for enhancing benefits of the Project execution, it is necessary to ensure participation of the

interested parties in discussion of the offered Project.

Participation of the interested parties will be ensured by means of publication of this

Framework Document in electronic format on the web-site of RUE

“Belinvestenergosberezhenie” and on the web-sites of the World Bank and the European

Investment Bank before beginning of the project Appraisal. The Framework Document in

electronic form will be sent to oblast executive committees, the Ministry of Nature, the Ministry

of Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Health, public non-governmental organizations.

Public discussions of the Framework Document will be brought into line with the requirements

of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, and the legislation of the Republic of

Belarus.

RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” is responsible for disclosure of information and

organization of public discussions of this Framework Document for the Biomass District Heating

Project according to the provisions of the Bank Policy ВР17.50 “Procedure of Information

Disclosure”. In case of necessity, a meeting with the public will be held (in case of receipt of an

application about the necessity to hold this meeting).

The ESMP for certain sub-projects will be further developed by the employers on the

basis of this Framework Document, reports on the ESIA and/or sections on the EP of the design

documents (if available) and will be published on the web-sites of local executive committees

and corporate customers, in local mass media before the beginning of implementation of the

planned events. Public discussions of the ESMP will be organized by local executive committees

after preparation and disclosure of these plans on certain sub-projects. Minutes of public

discussions will be included as an annex in the ESMP and will be disclosed repeatedly.

Results of public discussions of the Framework Document will be recorded in the

Minutes with remarks and proposals of the interested parties. The Framework Document shall be

refined within 30 days taking into account comments and suggestions, and its final version shall

be posted on the web-sites of RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”, the World Bank and the

European Investment Bank.

12.2 The results of ESMF disclosure and public consultation

The consultation meeting with the interested parties for discussion of the ESMF with

respect to the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project, developed according to the requirements of

the World Bank (WB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), took place on October 5, 2018

from 11:00 till 12:00 at RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” at the following address: 12

Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N, Minsk. This document together with an announcement about

holding of the consultation meeting was posted on the websites of RUE

“Belinvestenergosberezhenie”; the Energy Efficiency Department of Gosstandart and Oblast

Executive Committees of Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev oblasts from

September 12 till September 15, 2018. All interested parties could send their comments and

suggestions to RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”, the organization responsible for conducting

of public discussions, not later than October 1, 2018, by mail: 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N,

220037, Minsk, to e-mail: [email protected] or by phone 352-58-25. Possible comments and

suggestions of the interested parties with respect to the ESMF have not been received by RUE

“Belinvestenergosberezhenie” till the specified time.

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The PMU Employees of RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” participated in the

consultation meeting, as well as developers of the ESMP, for whom presentation of the ESMF

was held. Representatives of the Oblast Executive Committees, non-governmental organizations

and other interested parties did not take part in the consultation meeting. The presentation

included overall overview of the document, description and explanation of national procedures

for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, including differences of national

procedures and Safeguard Policies of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, and

also clarifications on drawing-up of the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).

Comments and suggestions were not received in the course of the consultation meeting.

Minutes of public hearings are presented in Annex 15.

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Annex 1

The main Laws regulating questions of environmental protection, labor protection and

safety measures and also sanitary and epidemiologic well-being of population in the

Republic of Belarus

№ Laws and regulations

Environmental Protection

1 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 11.26.1992 № 1982-XII “On environmental

protection”

2 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 16.12.2008 № 2-З “On atmospheric air protection”

3 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 12.11.2001 № 56-З “On the protection of the ozone

layer”

4 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.06.2003 № 205-З (ed. 18.07.2016 № 402-З) “On

plant world”

5 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.10.1994 № 3335-XII “On specially protected

natural areas”

6 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.07.2007 № 271-З “On waste management”

7 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 10.07.2007 № 257-З “On wildlife”

8 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З “On state ecological expertise,

strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment”

9 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 09.01.2006 № 93-З “On hydrometeorological

activities”

10 Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 01.09.2010 № 450 “On licensing of

certain types of activities”

11 Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.11.2011 № 528 “On integrated

environmental permits”

12 Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 24.06.2008 № 348 “On the rates to

determine the amount of compensation for harm caused to the environment”

13 Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.10.2005 № 487 “On ratification by

the Republic of Belarus of the Convention on environmental impact assessment in a cross-

border context”

14 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 29.10.2010 №1592

“On approval of the Regulations on the procedure of conducting public environmental expert

review”

15 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 28.04.2004 № 482

“On approval of the Regulations on the procedure for conducting monitoring of surface waters,

ground waters, atmospheric air and local environmental monitoring as part of the National

Environmental Monitoring System in the Republic of Belarus, and using their data”

16 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 19.01.2017 № 47

“About some measures for implementation of the Law of the Republic of Belarus from

18.07.2016 № 399-З “About the state ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment

and environmental impact assessment”

17 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.06.2016 № 458

“On approval of the Regulations on the procedure public discussions on projects of

ecologically significant decisions, environmental impact assessment reports, registration of the

made ecologically significant decisions and introduction of amendments and additions to some

resolutions of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus”

18 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.07.2008 № 1042

“On approval of the procedure of calculating the amount of compensation for harm caused to

the environment and drafting an act to establish the fact of harm to the environment,

amendment and revocation of selected resolutions of the Council of Ministers of the Republic

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of Belarus”

19 Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 21.05.2009 № 664

“On approval of the Regulations on the procedure for issuing permits for pollutant emissions

into the atmospheric air, amending and (or) supplementing, suspending, renewing, and

extending permits for pollutant emissions into the air, and their termination”

20 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 18.07.2017 №5-Т “On approval of the environmental standards and rules”

21 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 07.06.2013 № 25 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure of

maintaining environmental passports of enterprises and revocation of selected resolutions of

the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

dated 01.12.2008 № 107”

22 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 01.02.2007 № 9 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure for

conducting local environmental monitoring by legal entities engaged in economic and other

activities which have a detrimental effect on the environment, including environmentally

hazardous activities”

23 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 04.05.2015 № 18 “On the requirements for designing water conservation

zones and coastal strips of water bodies”

24 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 04.05.2015 № 19 “On approval of the Instruction on establishment of basin

Councils”

25 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 04.05.2015 № 20 “On selected issues related to issuing special water use

permits”

26 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 04.05.2015 № 21 “On selected issues related to development technical

standards for water use”

27 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 08.12.2014 № 42 “On selected measures to implement Law of the Republic of

Belarus “On the protection of the ozone layer”

28 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 19.12.2008 № 122 “On approval of the Instruction on the management of

ozone-depleting substances”

29 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 20.12.2011 № 53 “On selected issues related to issuing integrated

environmental permits”

30 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 23.06.2009 № 42 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure of

inventory of the emissions of pollutants into atmospheric air and revocation of Resolution of

the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus

dated 28.12.2006 №80 and paragraph 1, subparagraph 1.2 of Resolution of the Ministry of

Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated 30.11.2007

№ 97”

31 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 23.06.2009 № 43 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure of setting

standards for allowable emissions of pollutants into atmospheric air and revocation of selected

resolutions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus”

32 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

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of Belarus dated 26.05.2017 №16 “On selected issues related to standardizing of dumping of

chemical and other substances as a part of sewage”

33 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 29.05.2009 № 30 “On approval of the Instruction on classification of facilities

with an impact on atmospheric air”

34 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 29.05.2009 № 31 “On approving the list of pollutants, categories of targets of

atmospheric air impacts, for which allowable rates of emissions of pollutants into atmospheric

air are established, and the list of facilities with atmospheric air impacts and emission sources,

for which allowable rates of emissions of pollutants into atmospheric air are not established,

and revocation of Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of Belarus dated 28.02.2005 №10”

35 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 30.03.2015 № 13 “On establishment of quality standards of water in surface

water objects”

36 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 22.10.2010 № 45 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure for

drafting and approval of instructions for industrial waste management”

37 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 29.02.2008 №17 “On approval of the Instruction on the procedure of

production wastes inventory”

38 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 08.11.2007 № 85 “On approval of the Classifier of wastes generated in the

Republic of Belarus”

39 Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic

of Belarus dated 14.05.2007 №60 “On approval of service regulations of gas-purifying

equipment”

40 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 30.04.2014 № 149-З “Water Code of the Republic

of Belarus”

41 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 23.07.2008 № 425-З “Land Code of the Republic

of Belarus”

42 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.07.2008 № 406-3 “Code of the Republic of

Belarus on Subsoil Resources”

43 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 24.12.2015 № 332-З “Forest Code of the Republic

of Belarus”

Sanitary and epidemiologic well-being of population

1 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.06.1993 № 2435-XII “On health care”

2 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 07.01.2012 № 340-З “On the sanitary and

epidemiological well-being of the population”

3 Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 11.10.2017 № 91 “On

approval of the sanitary standards and rules “Requirements to sanitary protection zones of the

organizations, constructions and other objects making impact on health of the person and the

environment”

4 Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 30.12.2016 № 141 “On

approval of the sanitary standards and rules “Requirements to atmospheric air of settlements

and places of population rest”

5 Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 08.11.2016 №113 “On

statement and enforcement of standards of threshold limit values of pollutants in atmospheric

air and approximately safe levels of pollutants influence in atmospheric air of settlements and

places of mass rest of the population and revocation of selected resolutions of the Ministry of

Health of the Republic of Belarus”

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6 Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 21.12.2010 г. №174 “On

approval of danger classes of pollutants in atmospheric air, an order of reference of pollutants

to certain danger classes of pollutants and revocation of Resolution of the Ministry of Health of

the Republic of Belarus dated 30.06.2009 № 76”

Labor protection and safety measures

1 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 23.06.2008 № 356-З “On labor protection”

2 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 15.06.1993 № 2403-XII “On fire safety”

3 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 05.01.2016 № 354-З “On industrial safety”

4 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 06.06.2001 № 32-З “On the transport of dangerous

goods”

5 The Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 05.01.2008 № 313-З “On road traffic”

6 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 26.07.1999 № 296-З “Labor Code of the Republic

of Belarus”

7 The Code of the Republic of Belarus dated 07.12.1998 № 218-З “Civil Code of the Republic

of Belarus”

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Annex 2

World Bank and the European Investment Bank Safeguard Policies and their relevance to

the project

SAFEGUARDS POLICIES TRIGGERED RELEVANCE

Environmental Assessment (OP/BP

4.01)

This Policy aims to ensure that

projects proposed for Bank financing

are environmentally and socially

sound and sustainable; to inform

decision makers of the nature of

environmental and social risks; to

increase transparency and

participation of stakeholders in the

decision-making process.

Yes The types of activities to be implemented

will have either minor or no adverse

environmental impacts and provide

significant environmental benefits

(reductions in local pollution such as dust

and sulfur dioxide emissions and

reductions in emissions of greenhouse

gases such as carbon dioxide; improving

livelihoods by securing heat supply; etc.).

Negative environmental impacts are

primarily associated with civil works

(e.g. dust, noise, disposal of non-

hazardous wastes and/or older

equipment; degradation of vegetation,

traffic disruption (depending upon

specific location), worker safety (e.g.

welding operations) etc.) In most cases

these impacts will be minor, short-lived,

and primarily limited to the project sites

(except for movement of equipment and

materials to/from the construction sites),

and they can be addressed with good

engineering and construction practices as

well as by preparing and implementing

adequate mitigation measures and

applying best housekeeping practices. As

at this stage of the project development

the investments and their location are not

known, for addressing potential adverse

impacts, was prepared an ESMF which

specifies the rules and procedures for the

subprojects ESIA and ESMP, including

guidelines on conducting environmental

screening, identifying potential impacts,

mitigation and monitoring activities for

different types of potential sub-projects.

A special section of the ESMF provides

EA capacity building activities for the

new Regional Housing Funds to be

created. The document includes an

assessment of supply chain and include

estimates of wood supply in Belarus and

specifies requirements that biomass

sourcing is certified and provide

procedures for verification related to the

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SAFEGUARDS POLICIES TRIGGERED RELEVANCE

biomass supply chain. Additionally, the

ESMF stipulates that no Category A

subprojects will be supported.

Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)

This Policy aims to safeguard natural

habitats and their biodiversity; avoid

significant conversion or degradation

of critical natural habitats, and to

ensure sustainability of services and

products which natural habitats

provide to human society.

No There will be no sub-projects involving

conversion of areas, which are important

wildlife habitat and/or would have

impacts on them – such subprojects will

be excluded from the project financing

during environmental screening.

Forestry (OP/BP 4.36)

This Policy is to ensure that forests

are managed in a sustainable manner;

significant areas of forest are not

encroached upon; the rights of

communities to use their traditional

forest areas in a sustainable manner

are not compromised.

No There will be no sub-projects that would

have impacts on forests, - such

subprojects will be excluded from the

project financing during environmental

screening.

Pest Management (OP 4.09)

This policy is to ensure pest

management activities follow an

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

approach, to minimize environmental

and health hazards due to pesticide

use, and to contribute to developing

national capacity to implement IPM,

and to regulate and monitor the

distribution and use of pesticides.

No No pesticides will be purchased or used

for the proposed activities

Physical Cultural Resources

(OP/BP 4.11)

This policy is to ensure that: Physical

Cultural Resources (PCR) are

identified and protected in World

Bank financed projects; national

laws governing the protection of

physical cultural property are

complied with; PCR includes

archaeological and historical sites,

historic urban areas, sacred sites,

graveyards, burial sites, unique

natural values; implemented as an

element of the Environmental

Assessment

Yes The project will not finance any

subprojects that might have impacts on

such resources, - such subprojects will be

excluded from the project financing

during environmental screening. Standard

requirements regarding chance finds will

be included in contracts for earth works.

Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)

IP – distinct, vulnerable, social and

cultural group attached to

geographically distinct

habitats or historical territories, with

No There are no IPs in the country.

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SAFEGUARDS POLICIES TRIGGERED RELEVANCE

separate culture than the project area,

and usually different language. The

Policy aims to foster full respect for

human rights, economies, and

cultures of IP, and to avoid adverse

effects on IP during the project

development.

Involuntary Resettlement

(OP/BP4.12)

This policy aims to minimize

displacement;

treat resettlement as a development

program; provide affected people

with opportunities for participation;

assist displaced persons in their

efforts to improve their incomes and

standards of living, or at least to

restore them; assist displaced people

regardless of legality of tenure; pay

compensation for affected assets at

replacement cost; the OP. Annexes

include descriptions of Resettlement

Plans and Resettlement Policy

Frameworks

Yes No Project activities will require or cause

physical or economic displacement. The

selection process for building renovation

as it relates to homeowners will need to

ensure that it does not involve temporary

or permanent relocation of

homeowners/tenants. The ESMF will

have a checklist to monitor this. Under

Component 2, in cases where thermal

renovation activities might lead to minor

temporary impacts on small retail

businesses located on the first floor of the

buildings, site-specific ESMPs (which

will be included into construction

contracts) will require appropriate

mitigation measures such as providing

street signs or other measures for

clientele to easily access during

construction. Robust Grievance Redress

Mechanism (GRM), as required under

OP 4.01, with active outreach campaign

will be supported by the Project and will

ensure active participation of project

beneficiaries/affected people.

Safety of Dams(OP/BP4.37)

This Policy is to ensure due

consideration is given to the safety of

dams in projects involving

construction of new dams, or that

may be affected by the safety or

performance of an existing dam or

dams under construction; important

considerations are dam height &

reservoir capacity

No The project activities will be

implemented inside the urban areas and

will not be dependent on the functionality

of dams.

Projects on International

Waterways (OP/BP7.50)

The Policy aims to ensure that

projects will neither affect the

efficient utilization and protection of

international waterways, nor

Yes The project will not finance any activities

which may have impacts on

transboundary rivers.

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SAFEGUARDS POLICIES TRIGGERED RELEVANCE

adversely affect relations between

the Bank and its Borrowers and

between riparian states

Disputed Areas(OP/BP7.60)

The Bank may support a project in a

disputed area if governments

concerned agree that, pending the

settlement of the dispute, the project

proposed for one country should go

forward without prejudice to the

claims of the other country

No No disputed areas are involved

Disclosure Policy (BP17.50)

supports decision making by the

borrower and Bank by allowing the

public access to information on

environmental and social aspects of

projects and has specific

requirements for disclosure

Yes The draft ESMF was disclosed on

09/12/2018 and consulted in the country

before project appraisal on 10/05/2018

and will be also disclosed on the WB

website.

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Annex 3

Objects of State Ecological Expertise

(According to Art.5 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З

“On state ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment and environmental

impact assessment”)

1. Objects of state ecological expertise are:

1.1. town-planning projects, projects of building and also change and (or) additions made

to it;

1.2. pre-project (pre-investment) documentation on construction and reconstruction of the

objects specified in article 7 of the present Law and also objects which placement is provided in

borders of the natural territories which are subject to special protection;

1.3. architectural and at single-stage design construction projects on construction and

reconstruction of the objects specified in article 7 of the present Law and also objects which

placement is provided in borders of the natural territories which are subject to special protection

in case according to acts development of pre-project (pre-investment) documentation isn't

required or in the conclusion of the state environmental assessment according to pre-project (pre-

investment) documentation and (or) architectural projects special conditions of implementation

of design decisions have provided submission of the project documentation on the following

design stages on the state ecological expertise;

1.4. architectural and at single-stage design construction projects on construction and

reconstruction of the objects specified in article 7 of the present Law and also objects which

placement is provided in borders of the natural territories which are subject to special protection

in case design decisions in them don't provide standards of admissible impact on the

environment and the volumes of use of natural resources specified in the conclusions of the state

ecological expertise according to pre-project (pre-investment) documentation;

1.5. the project documentation on use of natural resources and also changes and (or)

additions made to it except for the project documentation on geological exploration of a subsoil;

1.6. documentation on mobile equipment on use and (or) neutralization of waste and (or)

preparation of waste for use and also on mobile equipment for production;

1.7. projects of the water protection zones and coastal strips and also changes and (or)

additions made to it;

1.8. projects of maintaining hunting farms, fish-breeding and biological justifications,

biological justifications of stocking of fishing grounds, biological justifications on preparation

and (or) purchase of the wild animals which aren't belonging to subjects to hunting and fishery,

biological justifications of installation of wild animals in grounds and also the changes and (or)

additions made to it;

1.9. forest management projects and also the changes and (or) additions made to it;

1.10. schemes of land management of areas, projects of intraeconomic land management

and also change and (or) the additions made to it;

1.11. projects of specifications and also changes and (or) additions made to it.

2. The projects providing modification and (or) additions in documentation specified in

paragraph 1 of the present article are objects of the state ecological expertise in case these

changes and (or) additions are connected with increase in impact on the environment and (or)

uses of natural resources, except for the cases provided by acts in the field of environmental

protection and rational use of natural resources.

3. Other documentation provided by acts and international treaties of the Republic of

Belarus can be the object of the state ecological expertise.

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Annex 4

Objects of Strategic Environmental Assessment

(According to Art.6 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З

“On state ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment and environmental

impact assessment”)

1. Objects of strategic environmental assessment are:

1.1. projects of program containing the provisions governing the relations in the field of

environmental protection and rational use of natural resources (including the field of waste

management, of subsurface use), agriculture, industry, transport, power, tourism and also the

projects providing modification and (or) additions to it;

1.2. town-planning projects, except for general plans of urban-type settlements and rural

settlements and also the projects providing modification and (or) additions to it.

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Annex 5

Objects of Environmental Impact Assessment

(According to Art.7 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 18.07.2016 № 399-З

“On state ecological expertise, strategic environmental assessment and environmental

impact assessment”)

1. Objects of environmental impact assessment are:

1.1. objects with coordinating dimension sanitary protection zone is 300 meters and more;

1.2. objects of industry (construction objects on which implementation of economic

activity in the sphere of production of goods connected with production of instruments of labor is

planned (both for other branches of the national economy, and for the industry), materials, fuel,

energy, by further processing of the products received in the industry or made in agriculture and

also with production of goods, the equipment, cars, mechanisms, mining), for which

coordinating dimension sanitary protection zone is not established;

1.3. nuclear power stations and other nuclear equipment (except facilities and complexes

with experimental and research nuclear reactors and critical and subcritical nuclear testing units

(assemblies) whose maximum power does not exceed 1 kilowatt continuous thermal load);

1.4. equipment for the production or enrichment of nuclear materials or the reprocessing of

spent nuclear materials;

1.5. stationary equipment and (or) facilities for the storage of nuclear materials, spent

nuclear materials and (or) operational radioactive waste;

1.6. objects for neutralization, processing, storage and (or) burial of radioactive waste;

1.7. objects for storage, use, neutralization and waste disposal;

1.8. radio and television transmission equipment using ultra high frequency broadcasting

antennae (with radiation of 10-1 - 10-2 meters or 3 х 109 - 3 х 1010 Hertz);

1.9. thermal power stations and other combustion equipment with an equivalent (thermal

and electric) power of 100 megawatts or more;

1.10. national highways, railways, aerodromes and airports with a basic runway length of

1500 meters or more;

1.11. oil and gas pipelines with a diameter of 500 millimeters or more;

1.12. artificial reservoirs with surface area more than 50 hectares;

1.13. construction objects connected with change and (or) flattening of the bed of the river,

a stream and (or) the conclusion of the section of the river, a stream in the collector and also with

deepening of a bottom;

1.14. objects of economic and other activity planned to construction in borders of

superficial water objects except for objects of transport, engineering and (or) military

infrastructure;

1.15. dams 2 meters high and more, channels, except for the carrying-out channels of the

second and the subsequent orders of meliorative systems;

1.16. groundwater extraction facilities with a daily output of 5 000 cubic meters or more;

1.17. opencast mining objects (except for peat) where the surface of the site exploited is 20

hectares or more;

1.18. underground mining objects where the total annual volume of extracted product is

250 000 cubic meters or more;

1.19. objects for peat extraction;

1.20. oil extraction objects with an annual volume of 5 000 tonnes or more from one well;

1.21. natural gas extraction objects with an annual volume of 2 000 000 cubic meters or

more;

1.22 equipment for the gasification and liquefaction of coal or bituminous shale with a

daily production capacity of 500 tons or more;

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1.23. oil, petrochemical or chemical storage facilities with a capacity of 50 000 cubic

meters or more, and also chemical products with a capacity of 1 ton or more;

1.24. underground gas reservoirs;

1.25. equipment for the production of cellulose and (or) wood pulp with an annual

production capacity of 100 000 tons or more, of paper and (or) cardboard with a daily production

capacity of 20 tons or more;

1.26. equipment for the manufacture of glass;

1.27. equipment for the production of pig-iron or steel (primary or secondary fusion),

including continuous casting, with an hourly production capacity of 2,5 tons or more;

1.28. equipment for the hot rolling of ferrous metals with an hourly production capacity of

20 tonnes or more of crude steel;

1.29. equipment for the casting of ferrous metals with a daily production capacity of 20

tonnes or more;

1.30. equipment for the smelting, including the alloying, of nonferrous metals, including

recovered product (including refinery, foundry casting etc.), with a daily melting capacity of 4

tons or more for lead and cadmium or 20 tons or more for all other metals;

1.31. equipment for production of wood chipboards, fiber boards with use synthetic pitches

as a binding;

1.32. objects of economic and other activity (except for houses, public buildings and

constructions, the systems of engineering infrastructure and improvement of territories in the

settlements located in borders of reserves, national parks, wildlife areas) planned to construction:

in the territories defined within the Convention on the wetlands having the international

value mainly as habitats of waterfowl, Ramsare signed in on February 2, 1971 and within 2

kilometers from their borders;

in borders of especially protected natural territories, their guard zones, territories reserved

for the announcement by especially protected natural territories;

in borders of habitats of wild animals and places of growth of the wild-growing plants

relating to the types included in the Red List of the Republic of Belarus;

in borders of the typical and rare natural landscapes and biotopes under protection to users

of the land plots and water objects;

1.33. objects of economic or other activities, construction of which is planned in the

conservation zones of immovable tangible objects of historical and cultural significance;

1.34. objects of economic or other activities construction of which is planned in the

marshes along the state border of the Republic of Belarus or in areas from where an impact may

be caused on these marshes;

1.35. land improvement schemes with a surface area of 10 square kilometers or more;

1.36. overhead electrical power lines with a voltage of 220 kV or more and a length of 15

km or more;

1.37. objects of economic or other activities, construction of which is planned within the

boundaries holiday resorts, if these do not comply with the functional designation of these sites.

2. Environmental impact assessment is carried out also for other objects specified by the

legislative acts and international agreements of the Republic of Belarus.

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Annex 6

Contents of the “Environmental protection” section of the project documents

(as per EN-02 to CSS 1.03.02-96)

The section “Environmental protection” (“EP”) of the project documentation includes

subsections in which impacts on all components of the environment – air, water, a soil cover, a

plant and animal life are analyzed. Effect of physical factors and risks of influence on health of the

population is surely considered in the analysis. On the basis of the analysis actions for ensuring

sanitary and hygienic wellbeing of the population and the favorable habitat are developed.

As per EN-02 to CSS 1.03.02-96 the section “Environmental protection” includes the

following main subsections:

– Protection of atmospheric air from pollution;

– Protection of surface and subterranean water from pollution and exhaustion;

– Protection and rational use of land resources;

– Protection of plant world;

– Protection of wildlife;

– Environmental protection from pollution by industrial wastes and municipal solid waste.

The subsection “Protection of atmospheric air” is developed on the basis of the Law of the

Republic of Belarus dated 16.12.2008 № 2-З “On atmospheric air protection”. Important part in

this section is occupied by calculations of emissions of pollutants in atmospheric air. A number of

TKP is developed for determination of lot of emissions of pollutants in atmospheric air.

After carrying out calculation of emissions of pollutants in atmospheric air from a designed

project, in the section “EP” calculation of dispersion of pollutants in a ground layer of the

atmosphere which defines extent of chemical environmental pollution after putting into operation

of a designed project and, respectively, influence on health of the population is carried out. If

calculating dispersion excesses of standards of maximum-permissible concentration of pollutants

are found, project decisions provide the special nature protection measures (installation of the gas-

purifying equipment (cyclones, filters), increase in heights of waste-gas chimney, etc.) allowing to

reduce concentration of pollutants in a ground layer of the atmosphere.

If the project has provided installation at the enterprise of the rustling equipment which

influence on health of the population of the placement area, in the section “EP” noise calculation

is carried out.

Calculation of noise effect from a designed project is carried out according to ТКP 45-2.04-

154-2009 (02250) “Noise protection. Construction norms of design”. The received levels of noise

effect compare to standards of quality. If calculation of noise has shown excesses of standards of

noise limits, noise-protective measures have to be provided in the project documentation.

The subsection “Protection of surface and subterranean water from pollution and

exhaustion” is carried out taking into account requirements of “Water Code of the Republic of

Belarus”. This subsection reflects all main data on the organization of water supply and water

disposal in the enterprise and also existence of treatment facilities.

The subsection “Protection and rational use of land resources” is carried out taking into

account requirements of “Land Code of the Republic of Belarus”. This section reflects information

on volume of the removed fertile soil and also ways of use it (for example, gardening of a

designed project and (or) gardening of nearby territories).

The subsection “Protection of plant world” is carried out taking into account requirements of

the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 14.06.2003 № 205-З (ed. 18.07.2016 № 402-З) “On

plant world”. If the project has provided removal or change of objects of plant world (trees,

bushes, lawns) within the settlement, it is necessary to provide compensation landings according

to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 25.10.2011 № 1426

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“About some questions of plant world objects management” in edition of the Resolution dated

14.06.2016 № 458.

The subsection “Protection of wildlife” is carried out taking into account requirements of the

Law of the Republic of Belarus dated 10.07.2007 № 257-З “On wildlife”. This subsection is

developed only in case of causing damage to wildlife at implementation of project decisions.

The subsection “Environmental protection from pollution by industrial wastes and municipal

solid waste” is carried out taking into account requirements of the Law of the Republic of Belarus

dated 20.07.2007 № 271-З “On waste management”. This subsection contains information about

the construction waste (which produced by construction works), about industrial wastes (which

produced after commissioning of a designed project).

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Annex 7

Dynamics of forest fund indicators of the Republic of Belarus

Name of an indicator Measuring

unit

Indicator as of

1994 year 2001 year 2010 year 2018 year

1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Total area of lands of

forest fund

thousand

hectares 8676,1 9247,5 9416,6 9582,0

1.1. Forest lands

thousand

hectares 7775,9 8275,7 8598,2 8724,1

% 89,6 89,4 91,3 91,0

1.2. The lands covered with

the forest – all

thousand

hectares 7371,7 7850,6 8002,4 8260,9

% 85 85,0 85,0 86,2

ripe and overripe

thousand

hectares 350,1 623 804,4 1215,4

% 4,7 7,9 10,1 14,7

2. Woodiness % 35,5 37,8 38,5 39,8

3. The general stock of

plantings – all

millions cub.

meter 1093,2 1339,9 1566,1 1796,0

4. General average change

of a stock

millions cub.

meter 24,9 28,2 30,2 32,7

5. Average stock of

plantings

cub.

meter/hectare 148 171 196 217

5.1. Ripe and overripe cub.

meter/hectare 213 220 244 267

6. Average age years 44 48 52 56

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Annex 8

Environmental and social screening criteria

№ Activities for implementation of the project Proposed

subproject

category

Proposed instrument

of environmental and

social impact

assessment

1 2 3 4

1 Component 1. Renewable wood biomass heating:

– conversion of inefficient gas-fired boilers to

wood-chip-firing boilers

В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

– installation of new peak boilers В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

– modernization of heat network В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

– installation of individual heat substations and

operational monitoring and control systems

В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

– development of local sites for wood fuel

preparation

В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

– distribution heating using wood pellet-fired

boilers close to the buildings in locations where

decentralized biomass heating option is more

economical than simple fuel switching of the

existing gas-fired district heating systems

В high Development of

ESMP, development

of ESIA if necessary

2 Component 2. Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs) Package of

measures A (limited thermal renovations):

– installation of individual heat substation in

buildings

С No further actions are

required

– installation of thermostatic radiator valves in

apartments

С No further actions are

required

– upgrading of entrance doors and staircase

windows

С No further actions are

required

– internal finishing works С No further actions are

required

– cosmetic repair of buildings С No further actions are

required

3 Component 2. Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs) Package of

measures B (comprehensive thermal renovations):

– installation of individual heat substation in

buildings

В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

– installation of thermostatic radiator valves in

apartments

C No further EA

activities

– upgrading of all windows and exterior doors C No any further EA

activities

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1 2 3 4

– thermal insulation of exterior walls, basement

and roof

В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

– internal finishing works C No Any further EA

activities

– cosmetic repair of buildings В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

4 Component 2. Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs) The “Plus” option

(included for both packages for buildings where homeowners collectively favor heat cost

allocation at apartment level by using heat cost allocators):

– installation of individual heat substation in

buildings

В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

– installation of thermostatic radiator valves in

apartments

C No any further EA

activities

– upgrading of all windows and exterior doors C No any further EA

activities

– thermal insulation of exterior walls, basement

and roof

В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

– internal finishing works C No any further EA

activities

– cosmetic repair of buildings В low Filling ESMP

Checklist

5 Component 3. Technical assistance and

implementation support

С No further actions are

required

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Annex 9

ESMP Checklist

PART 1: INSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE

Country

Project title

Scope of project

and activity

Institutional

arrangements

(Name and

contacts)

WB/EIB

(Project Team

Leader)

Project

Management

Local Counterpart and/or

Recipient

Implementation

arrangements

(Name and

contacts)

Safeguard

Supervision

Local Counterpart

Supervision

Local

Inspectorate

Supervision

Contactor

SITE DESCRIPTION

Name of site

Describe site

location

Attachement 1: Site Map [ ]Y

[ ] N

Who owns the

land?

Geographic

description

LEGISLATION

Identify national

& local

legislation &

permits that

apply to project

activity

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Identify

when/where the

public

consultation

process took

place

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING

Will there be any

capacity

building?

[ ] N or [ ]Y if Yes, Attachment 2 includes the capacity building

program

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PART 2: ENVIRONMENTAL /SOCIAL SCREENING FOR SAFEGUARDS TRIGGERS

Will the site

activity

include/involve

any of the

following?

Activity/Issue Status Triggered Actions

1. Roads or building rehabilitation [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section A

below

2. New construction of small structures or infrastructure [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section A

below

3. Impacts on surface drainage system [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section B

below

4. Historic building(s) and districts [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section C

below

5. Acquisition of land1 [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section D

below

6. Hazardous or toxic materials2 [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section E

below

7. Impacts on forests and/or protected areas [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section F

below

8. Risk of unexploded ordinance (UXO) [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section G

below

9. Traffic and Pedestrian Safety [ ] Yes [ ] No If “Yes”, see Section H

below

1 Land acquisitions includes displacement of people, change of livelihood encroachment on private property this is to land that is purchased/transferred and affects people who are

living and/or squatters and/or operate a business (kiosks) on land that is being acquired. 2 Toxic/hazardous material includes but is not limited to asbestos, toxic paints, noxious solvents, removal of lead paint, etc.

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PART 2: MITIGATION MEASURES

ACTIVITY PARAMETER MITIGATION MEASURES CHECKLIST

0. General

Conditions

Notification and

Worker Safety

(a) The local construction and environment inspectorates and communities have been notified of upcoming

activities.

(b) The public has been notified of the works through appropriate notification in the media and/or at publicly

accessible sites (including the site of the works).

(c) All legally required permits have been acquired for construction and/or rehabilitation.

(d) The Contractor formally agrees that all work will be carried out in a safe and disciplined manner designed

to minimize impacts on neighbouring residents and environment.

(e) Workers’ PPE will comply with international good practice (always hardhats, as needed masks and safety

glasses, harnesses and safety boots).

(f) Appropriate signposting of the sites will inform workers of key rules and regulations to follow.

A. General

Rehabilitation

and/or

Construction

Activities

Air Quality (a) During interior demolition use debris-chutes above the first floor

(b) Demolition debris, excavated soil and aggregates shall be kept in controlled area and sprayed with water

mist to reduce debris dust.

(c) During pneumatic drilling or breaking of pavement and foundations dust shall be suppressed by ongoing

water spraying and/or installing dust screen enclosures at site.

(d) The surrounding environment (sidewalks, roads) shall be kept free of soil and debris to minimize dust.

(e) There will be no open burning of construction/waste material at the site.

(f) All machinery will comply with Belarus emission regulations, shall well maintain and service and there

will be no excessive idling of construction vehicles at sites.

Noise (a) Construction noise will be limited to restricted times agreed to in the permit.

(b) During operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical

equipment shall be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible.

Water Quality (a) The site will establish appropriate erosion and sediment control measures such as e.g. hay bales and/or silt

fences to prevent sediment from moving off site and causing excessive turbidity in canalization and nearby

streams and rivers.

Waste

management

(a) Waste collection and disposal pathways and sites will be identified for all major waste types expected from

excavation, demolition and construction activities.

(b) Mineral construction and demolition wastes will be separated from general refuse, organic, liquid and

chemical wastes by on-site sorting and stored in appropriate containers.

(c) Construction waste will be collected and disposed properly by licensed collectors.

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PART 2: MITIGATION MEASURES

ACTIVITY PARAMETER MITIGATION MEASURES CHECKLIST

(d) The records of waste disposal will be maintained as proof for proper management as designed.

(e) Whenever feasible Contractor will reuse and recycle appropriate and viable materials (except when

containing asbestos).

B. Local

wastewater

treatment

system

Water Quality (a) The approach to handling sanitary wastes and wastewater from building sites (installation or reconstruction)

must be approved by the local authorities.

(b) Before being discharged into receiving waters, effluents from individual wastewater systems must be

treated in order to meet the minimal quality criteria set out by national guidelines on effluent quality and

wastewater treatment. (c) Monitoring of new wastewater systems (before/after) will be carried out.

C. Historic

building(s)

Cultural Heritage (a) If construction works take place close to a designated historic structure, or are located in a designated

historic district, notification shall be made and approvals/permits be obtained from local authorities and all

construction activities planned and carried out in line with local and national legislation.

(b) It shall be ensured that provisions are put in place so that artefacts or other possible “chance finds”

encountered in excavation or construction are noted and registered, responsible officials contacted, and

works activities delayed or modified to account for such finds.

D. Acquisition

of land

Land Acquisition

Plan/Framework

(a) If expropriation of land was not expected but is required, or if loss of access to income of legal or illegal

users of land was not expected but may occur, that the Bank’s Task Team Leader shall be immediately

consulted.

(b) The approved Land Acquisition Plan/Framework (if required by the project) will be implemented.

E. Toxic

materials

Asbestos

management

(a) If asbestos is located on the project site, it shall be marked clearly as hazardous material.

(b) When possible the asbestos will be appropriately contained and sealed to minimize exposure.

(c) The asbestos prior to removal (if removal is necessary) will be treated with a wetting agent to minimize

asbestos dust.

(d) Asbestos will be handled and disposed by skilled & experienced professionals.

(e) If asbestos material is be stored temporarily, the wastes should be securely enclosed inside closed

containments and marked appropriately. Security measures will be taken against unauthorized removal

from the site.

(f) The removed asbestos will not be reused.

Toxic/hazardous

waste

(a) Temporarily storage on site of all hazardous or toxic substances will be in safe containers labelled with

details of composition, properties and handling information.

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PART 2: MITIGATION MEASURES

ACTIVITY PARAMETER MITIGATION MEASURES CHECKLIST

management (b) The containers of hazardous substances shall be placed in a leak-proof container to prevent spillage.

(c) The wastes shall be transported by specially licensed carriers and disposed in a licensed facility.

(d) Paints with toxic ingredients or solvents or lead-based paints will not be used.

F. Affected

forests,

wetlands and/or

protected areas

Ecosystem

protection

(a) All recognized natural habitats, wetlands and protected areas in the immediate vicinity of the activity will

not be damaged or exploited, all staff will be strictly prohibited from hunting, foraging, logging or other

damaging activities.

(b) A survey and an inventory shall be made of large trees in the vicinity of the construction activity, large

trees shall be marked and cordoned off with fencing, their root system protected, and any damage to the

trees avoided.

(c) Adjacent wetlands and streams shall be protected from construction site run-off with appropriate erosion

and sediment control feature to include by not limited to hay bales and silt fences.

(d) There will be no unlicensed borrow pits, quarries or waste dumps in adjacent areas, especially not in

protected areas.

G. Risk of

unexploded

ordinance

(UXO)

Hazard to human

health and safety

(a) (a) Before start of any excavation works the Contractor will verify that the construction area has been checked

and cleared regarding UXO by the appropriate authorities.

H. Traffic and

pedestrian

safety

Direct or indirect

hazards to public

traffic and

pedestrians by

construction

activities

(a) In compliance with national regulations the Contractor will insure that the construction site is properly

secured and construction related traffic regulated. This includes but is not limited to:

▪ Signposting, warning signs, barriers and traffic diversions: site will be clearly visible and the public

warned of all potential hazards.

▪ Traffic management system and staff training, especially for site access and near-site heavy traffic.

Provision of safe passages and crossings for pedestrians where construction traffic interferes.

▪ Adjustment of working hours to local traffic patterns, e.g. avoiding major transport activities during

rush hours or times of livestock movement.

▪ If required, active traffic management by trained and visible staff at the site for safe passage for the

public.

▪ Ensuring safe and continuous access to all adjacent office facilities, shops and residences during

construction.

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PART 3: MONITORING PLAN

Stage Monitoring object

(What parameter

will be

monitored?)

Where to monitor

(Place of

monitoring for

each selected

parameter)

How to monitor

(How will the

measurements be

performed?)

When to monitor

(How

frequently/constantly?)

Cost of monitoring

(Costs associated with

monitoring, if not

included in the project

budget)

Who shall

monitor

(Parties

responsible for

monitoring each

parameter)

Design stage

Construction

stage

Operation

stage

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Annex 10

Structure of Environmental and Social Management Plan

Title page

It contains the title of the Subproject, the name of the developer organization, date and the

place of development

Contents

It contains numbers and titles of all sections and subsections with the indication of page

numbers

1. Subproject prerequisites

The section contains the general information on the Project within the Subproject will be

realized. It is necessary to specify to what component of the Project the Subproject belongs.

2. Brief Subproject description

The section contains the brief description of the Subproject with representation of the key

technical and economic indicators.

Alternative options of placement and realization are described.

Need of realization of this Subproject variant is proved.

3. Legislative and institutional base

3.1 National legislative base

The description of the main laws regulating questions of environmental protection, labor

protection and safety measures and also sanitary and epidemiologic well-being of population in

the Republic of Belarus which requirements have to be considered during realization of the

Subproject is provided in the section.

3.2 Institutional base

The list of the government authorities and organizations providing control of execution of

requirements of environmental protection, labor protection and safety measures and also sanitary

and epidemiologic well-being of population in the Republic of Belarus in frames of realization of

the Subproject is provided in the section.

Information can be provided in a form:

The Government authority or organization Corresponding functions

1 2

3.3 The World Bank and the European Investment Bank Safeguard Policies

The World Bank and the European Investment Bank Safeguard Policies are provided in the

section and the conclusion about their applicability to the Subproject is drawn.

4. Advanced environmental assessment (screening)

The section contains results of advanced environmental assessment (screening) according

to chapter 6.2 of the Environmental and Social Management Framework.

The conclusion about need of development of ESMP is drawn.

Also, the conclusion about need of development of Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA) according to the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus is drawn.

5. The description of basic geographical and social-economic conditions

In the section the description of geographical and social economic conditions of the

Subproject realization area is provided. The existing problems of the region have to be presented.

5.1 The existing geographical conditions

The section has to contain the description of the existing geographical conditions of the

region.

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5.2 The existing social-economic conditions

The section has to contain the description of the existing social-economic conditions of the

region.

5.3 The analysis of forest fund condition

The section has to contain information on development dynamics of forest fund in the

region, information on existence of the certified forestry enterprises in the region. It is necessary

to carry out the comparative analysis of need for wood biomass for the Subproject realization

and ensuring with wood biomass in the region. It is necessary to confirm ensuring with wood

biomass in the region with references of the certified forestry enterprises of the region.

6. Environmental and social impact assessment

6.1 Positive environmental and social impact

The description of estimated positive impacts of the Subproject on the environment and the

social sphere is provided in the section.

In case of positive impacts, it is recommended to carry out the comparative analysis in

numerical expression.

Information can be provided in the following form:

№ The component which

is subject to positive

impact

Situation before

realization of the

Subproject

Situation after

realization of the

Subproject

Efficiency

1 2 3 4 5

1 Pollutant emission 10 tones per year 8 tones per year Reduction for 20%

2 Number of workers 2 4 Increase twice

! Data are presented in the Table as an example.

6.2 Negative environmental and social impact

The description of estimated positive impacts of the Subproject on the environment and the

social sphere is provided in the section at two stages:

– construction (reconstruction);

– operation of buildings and constructions.

The description has to be submitted on each of the components presented in chapter 5.1 of

the Environmental and Social Management Framework.

Construction (reconstruction)

The components:

– A. Atmospheric air pollution;

– B. Pollution of surface and subterranean water;

– C. Damage of topsoil;

– D. Elimination or damage of plants, effect on biodiversity;

– E. Waste formation;

– F. Effect of physical factors (noise, vibration, etc.);

– G. Health of construction personnel;

– H. Occurrence of emergency situations;

– I. Violation of road traffic organization;

– J. Social impacts.

Operation of buildings and constructions

The components:

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– A. Atmospheric air pollution;

– B. Pollution of surface and subterranean water;

– C. Elimination or damage of plants, effect on biodiversity;

– D. Waste formation;

– E. Effect of physical factors (noise, vibration, etc.);

– F. Health of construction personnel;

– G. Occurrence of emergency situations.

If the negative impact on any component is absent, then it is specified, for example:

Influence on a Component A isn't supposed.

7. Measures on mitigation of environmental and social impacts

The section contains the description of organizational measures which will be done before

construction works to inform about alleged activity:

– notice of local executive committees;

– notice of local supervisory authorities (territorial authorities of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social

Protection, Ministry of Emergency Situations, etc.).

Also, the section contains the description of concrete measures on mitigation of

environment and social impact on each component presented in chapter 6.2 of the Environmental

and Social Management Framework at two stages:

– construction (reconstruction);

– operation of buildings and constructions.

8. The environmental and social management plan

The section contains the developed Plan of measures on environmental and social

protection.

The Plan is considered the obligatory document which needs to be carried out during

implementation of the project. The Plan consists of a package of measures on influence

mitigation, monitoring and institutional responsibility which will be undertaken during

realization and operation for elimination of negative environmental and social impacts, their

compensation, or decrease to acceptable level.

The recommended form of Plan of measures on environmental and social protection:

Component

*

Negative

impact

Measures on

influence

mitigation

Mitigation

indicator

Costs of

measures on

mitigation

Person

responsible

for measures

on mitigation

1 2 3 4 5 6

Construction (reconstruction)

Operation of buildings and constructions

* Each of components is specified serially (as per section 6.2).

When developing the Plan of measures on environmental and social protection it is

necessary to be guided by Methodical instructions on mitigation of environmental and social

impacts (The annex 11 to the Environmental and Social Management Framework).

Plan of measures on environmental and social protection can be presented as the annex to

the ESMP.

9. Monitoring of implementation of the Plan of measures on environmental and social

protection

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The section contains information on carrying out monitoring of implementation of the Plan

of measures on environmental and social protection. The recommended form of monitoring plan:

Compo

nent

What

parameter

of

component

will be

monitored

Place of

monitoring

for each

selected

parameter

The way of

monitoring

Terms and

frequency of

monitoring

Monitoring

purpose

Person

responsible

for

monitoring

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Construction (reconstruction)

Operation of buildings and constructions

How will the measurements be performed;

How frequently/constantly;

Column 1. Each of components of influence (as per section 6.2) is specified serially.

Column 2. Each of influence component parameters is specified serially.

Column 3. The place where monitoring will be carried out is specified (or remotely).

Column 4. The way of monitoring is specified: visual survey, observation, interviewing, periodic

checks, instrumental control, analysis of documentation, etc.

Column 5. It is specified terms or periods of monitoring implementation its frequency is

specified.

Column 6. The purpose for which achievement monitoring is carried out is defined.

Column 7. Persons or organizations which are responsible for monitoring are specified.

Monitoring plan can be presented as the annex to the ESMP.

10. Public consultations and coordination

The section contains information:

– where and when ESMP has been published (websites of housing public utilities and

PMU, other media);

– where and when consultations with interested parties of the project have been held;

– where and when public hearings have been carried out.

Protocols of discussions and public hearings have to be issued as the annex to the ESMP.

Annexes.

Annex 1. Allowing documentation

In case of reconstruction of the operating object it is necessary to attach copies of all existing

allowing documents of environmental protection and also technical documentation (in the

presence of such documents):

– Permission to emissions of pollutants in atmospheric air;

– Act of inventory of emissions of pollutants, Draft of standards of admissible emissions;

– Permission to production waste disposal;

– Permission to special water use;

– Plan of implementation of production environmental control;

– Results of control gas-purifying installations efficiency of work;

– Project of the sanitary protection zone (SPZ);

– The sanitary and hygienic conclusion on the project of the SPZ;

– results of certification of jobs;

– results of analytical control (monitoring);

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– The certificate of values of background concentration of pollutants in the atmospheric air and

meteorological characteristics and coefficients defining conditions of dispersion of pollutants in

atmospheric air around an arrangement of the enterprise.

Annex 2. Ecological certificates, certificates of conformity on the purchased goods, services:

– ecological certificate of conformity to the STB ISO 14001 standard;

– certificates of forestry enterprises regarding compliance to requirements of PEFC;

– other certificates of suppliers and contractors.

Annex 3. The references of local forestry enterprises confirming presence of sufficient volume

of the available materials which are formed as a result of activity of the existing forestry

enterprises

Annex 4. Situational plan of Subproject realization area

Annex 5. Plan of measures on environmental and social protection

Annex 6. Monitoring plan

Annex 7. Protocols of discussions and public hearings.

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Annex 11

Guidelines on mitigation of environmental and social impacts

Stages of the

project and

concrete actions

within

construction /

operating

activities

Potential environmental and social

impact

Proposed measures on mitigation Offered actions for implementation

of supervision, monitoring and

preparation of the reporting

1 2 3 4

Component 1 “Renewable wood biomass heating”

Construction

(reconstruction)

А. Pollution of atmospheric air To apply measures for reduction of dust content by

regular water dispersion when carrying out excavator

works and dismantling building

Visual survey, if necessary –

instrumental control of dust

concentration in atmospheric air

To cover truck bodywork with awnings while

transportation of raising dust freights

Observation

To establish the ban on use at construction of the

materials and substances emitting cancerogenic and

toxic substances in the atmosphere

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To minimize operating time of motor transport engines

idling

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To organize passing of control by all vehicles

concerning CO emissions and smoke

Analysis of confirming

documentation

To establish the ban on combustion of solid municipal

and construction waste

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

To carry out painting, welding and other works

according to production schedules

Observation

Paints or solvents with toxic ingredients or paints on the Analysis of confirming

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1 2 3 4

basis of lead shouldn't be used documentation

Contractors have to use the latest equipment and energy

efficient technologies

Analysis of confirming

documentation

B. Pollution of surface and

subterranean water

To establish the ban on unregulated selection of

subterranean waters or uncontrollable dumping of

industrial waters, cement mortars or any other polluted

waters into the soil or a nearby surface water

Analysis of confirming

documentation, if necessary –

instrumental control of water

quality

On site the systems of the sewerage have to be arranged

and be taken measures for prevention of pollution,

blocking or other negative impact which construction

works can render on natural streams, the rivers, ponds

and lakes

Visual survey, if necessary –

instrumental control of water

quality

To provide measures for prevention of spill of fuels and

oils and other toxic or dangerous substances

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

To establish the ban on a wash of machines and

mechanisms on the building site

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

С. Damage of topsoil To establish the ban on fuelling of the construction

equipment on the building site

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To carry out small repair of the construction equipment,

replacement of oils and technological liquids only at car

repair shops

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

The machine equipment and mechanisms have to be

checked regularly regarding possible leak of fuel

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

The fulfilled fuels and oils have to be collected and

temporarily placed on storage in the individual

containers located in the safe place until are sent for

final utilization and neutralization

Visual survey

Portable toilets have to be set up and contain in good

repair

Visual survey

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1 2 3 4

Before construction works it is necessary to make

removal of the fertile layer of soil

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

After construction to carry out recultivation by crops of

a lawn

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

D. Elimination or damage of

plants, effect on biodiversity

To organize construction works without removal and

damage of plant world objects (whenever possible)

Observation

To establish the ban on journey and the parking of

transport out of the roads and platforms allocated for

this purpose

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

It is necessary to organize compensation landings if

there were removals of plant world objects

Analysis of confirming

documentation

To protect plant world objects which have remained on

building site with wooden protections

Visual survey

E. Waste formation At the building site the system of separate collecting

waste has to be organized

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To collect and store waste of different types in the

containers intended for it

Visual survey

Containers for collecting waste are marked with the

indication of a class of danger and a type of the

collected waste

Visual survey

To collect hazardous waste in a liquid and pastelike

phase in the special capacities providing tightness and

anticorrosive stability and established in the specially

allotted place

Visual survey

The construction organization has to get Permission to

waste disposal

Analysis of confirming

documentation

The waste which is formed as a result of construction

activity has to be taken out to the dump or processed by

the licensed companies

Analysis of confirming

documentation

To observe that the placed waste wasn't in places of Visual survey

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1 2 3 4

possible flooding

If asbestos is located on the project site, it shall be

marked clearly as hazardous material

Visual survey

When possible the asbestos will be appropriately

contained and sealed to minimize exposure

Visual survey

In case of need works with asbestos materials, workers

have to wear goggles, masks and gloves

Observation

The asbestos prior to removal (if removal is necessary)

will be treated with a wetting agent to minimize

asbestos dust.

Observation

Asbestos will be handled and disposed by skilled and

experienced professionals

Analysis of confirming

documentation

If asbestos material is be stored temporarily, the wastes

should be securely enclosed inside closed containments

and marked appropriately

Visual survey

The removed asbestos will not be reused Analysis of confirming

documentation

The waste containing asbestos has to be transported

according to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus

on transportation of hazardous waste

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

F. Effect of physical factors (noise,

vibration, etc.)

To organize work from 7:00 till 23:00 on weekdays Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To minimize operating time of the rustling equipment

idling

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To use the modern equipment and mechanisms with the

low level of noise and vibration

Visual survey,

if necessary – instrumental control

of noise levels, vibration levels

Motor casings of generators, air compressors and other

similar equipment have to be covered, the equipment

has to be on the maximum distance from the housing

Visual survey,

if necessary – instrumental control

of noise levels, vibration levels

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1 2 3 4

All workers have to be provided with individual

protection equipment

Observation, interviewing, analysis

of confirming documentation

To provide installation of protective noise screens (if

necessary)

Visual survey

To limit traffic speed at building site Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

G. Health of construction

personnel

All works have to be carried out with observance of

measures on construction safety and rules of carrying

out construction works for reduction of health and

environment impact

Periodic inspections, observation,

interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

Training in safety measures for all workers before

works

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

All workers have to be provided with individual

protection equipment. Individual protection equipment

has to conform to requirements of the international

standards (construction helmets, as required respirators

and goggles, safety mechanisms and special footwear

are always used)

Observation, interviewing, analysis

of confirming documentation

The corresponding bulletin boards on a building site

have to inform workers on key rules and requirements

which need to be observed

Visual survey, interviewing

Implementation of rules and security guidelines,

including use of individual protection equipment, has to

be encouraged and controlled on a regular basis

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

H. Occurrence of emergency

situations

All works have to be performed according to

requirements of labor protection and safety measures

Periodic inspections, observation,

analysis of confirming

documentation

The personnel have to be trained in actions in case of

emergency situations

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

I. Violation of road traffic The warning signs for the population and public Visual survey

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1 2 3 4

organization

transport about all potentially dangerous works have to

be established

The control system of the movement and training of

personnel, especially for ensuring access to an object

and nearby heavy traffic has to be organized. Safe

passes and transitions for pedestrians in places of the

movement of the construction equipment have to be

organized

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

Correction of operating time depending on the local

movement has to be carried out, for example, to avoid

active traffic by rush hour

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

Traffic control on an object for safe transition of people

has to be organized if necessary

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

Safe and continuous access for the population to all

nearby offices, objects of trade and houses during

construction works has to be provided

Visual survey

J. Social impacts To develop and introduce the mechanism of

consideration of addresses for receiving responses and

complaints at the local level

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

To carry out among construction personnel explanatory

work about need of correct behavior with locals

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

To place the stand with the general information on the

realized subproject. It is obligatory to specify terms of

implementation of the subproject

Visual survey

To place plates with apologies for temporary

inconveniences in case of violation of an esthetic look,

restriction or blocking of passes

Interviewing, visual survey

Operation of

buildings and

constructions

А. Pollution of atmospheric air To carry out inventory of sources of emissions using

instrumental control of pollutants concentration. To get

permission to emissions in territorial authorities of the

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

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1 2 3 4

Protection of the Republic of Belarus Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To develop passports of gas-purifying equipment

(GPE). To check gas-purifying equipment efficiency of

work at least once a year

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To carry out local monitoring of pollutants emission

according to requirements of Environmental standards

and rules (EnvS&R 17.01.06-001-2017)

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To carry out monitoring of atmospheric air quality on

sanitary protection zone border and also in the next

housing

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Health of the

Republic of Belarus

Development of actions for achievement of admissible

levels in case of excesses of maximum-permissible

concentration of pollutants is necessary

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To carry out the activity rendering impact on

atmospheric air according to requirements of the

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

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1 2 3 4

environment protection legislation inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

B. Pollution of surface and

subterranean water

To develop standards of water consumption and water

disposal. To get permission to water use and water

disposal if necessary

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To carry out the activity rendering impact on water use

according to requirements of the environment protection

legislation

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

С. Elimination or damage of

plants, effect on biodiversity

To carry out inventory of plant world objects Analysis of confirming

documentation

Not to allow unauthorized removal of plant world

objects

Visual survey

To mow a lawn, to cut trees and bushes Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To carry out the activity rendering impact on plant

world objects and biodiversity according to

requirements of the environment protection legislation

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

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1 2 3 4

Belarus

D. Waste formation To carry out inventory of wastes Analysis of confirming

documentation

To develop the instruction on waste management Analysis of confirming

documentation

To get permission to waste disposal Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

To carry out the activity on waste management

according to requirements of the environment protection

legislation

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environmental

Protection of the Republic of

Belarus

E. Effect of physical factors (noise,

vibration, etc.)

To develop the local monitoring program.

To carry out instrumental control of physical factors

(noise, vibration, etc.) on sanitary protection zone

border and also in the next housing

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Health of the

Republic of Belarus

Development of actions for achievement of admissible

levels in case of excesses of maximum-permissible

levels of physical factors is necessary

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Health of the

Republic of Belarus

F. Health of construction

personnel

To develop the instruction on labor protection Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

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1 2 3 4

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Labor and Social

Protection

To carry out certification of jobs for chemical and

physical factors

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Health of the

Republic of Belarus

To carry out the activity with observance of rules of

labor protection and safety measures

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Labor and Social

Protection

G. Occurrence of emergency

situations

To carry out the activity with observance of rules of

labor protection and safety measures

Analysis of confirming

documentation, periodic

inspections by territorial authorities

of the Ministry of Emergency

Situations

Component 2 “Thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings (MABs)”

Construction and

finishing works

А. Pollution of atmospheric air To apply measures for reduction of dust content by

regular water dispersion when carrying out excavator

works and dismantling building

Visual survey, if necessary –

instrumental control of dust

concentration in atmospheric air

During interior demolition use debris-chutes above the

first floor

Observation

To cover truck bodywork with awnings while

transportation of raising dust freights

Observation

To establish the ban on use at construction of the

materials and substances emitting cancerogenic and

toxic substances in the atmosphere

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To minimize operating time of motor transport engines

idling

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

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1 2 3 4

To organize passing of control by all vehicles

concerning CO emissions and smoke

Analysis of confirming

documentation

To establish the ban on combustion of solid municipal

and construction waste

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

To carry out painting, welding and other works

according to production schedules

Observation

Paints or solvents with toxic ingredients or paints on the

basis of lead shouldn't be used

Analysis of confirming

documentation

Contractors have to use the latest equipment and energy

efficient technologies

Analysis of confirming

documentation

B. Pollution of surface and

subterranean water

To establish the ban on unregulated selection of

subterranean waters or uncontrollable dumping of

industrial waters, cement mortars or any other polluted

waters into the soil or a nearby surface water

Analysis of confirming

documentation, if necessary –

instrumental control of water

quality

On site the systems of the sewerage have to be arranged

and be taken measures for prevention of pollution,

blocking or other negative impact which construction

works can render on natural streams, the rivers, ponds

and lakes

Visual survey, if necessary –

instrumental control of water

quality

To provide measures for prevention of spill of fuels and

oils and other toxic or dangerous substances

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

To establish the ban on a wash of machines and

mechanisms on the building site

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

С. Damage of topsoil To establish the ban on fuelling of the construction

equipment on the building site

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To carry out small repair of the construction equipment,

replacement of oils and technological liquids only at car

repair shops

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

The machine equipment and mechanisms have to be

checked regularly regarding possible leak of fuel

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

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The fulfilled fuels and oils have to be collected and

temporarily placed on storage in the individual

containers located in the safe place until are sent for

final utilization and neutralization

Visual survey

Portable toilets have to be set up and contain in good

repair

Visual survey

D. Elimination or damage of

plants, effect on biodiversity

To organize construction works without removal and

damage of plant world objects (whenever possible)

Observation

To establish the ban on journey and the parking of

transport out of the roads and platforms allocated for

this purpose

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

It is necessary to organize compensation landings if

there were removals of plant world objects

Analysis of confirming

documentation

To protect plant world objects which have remained on

building site with wooden protections

Visual survey

E. Waste formation At the building site the system of separate collecting

waste has to be organized

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To collect and store waste of different types in the

containers intended for it

Visual survey

Containers for collecting waste are marked with the

indication of a class of danger and a type of the

collected waste

Visual survey

To collect hazardous waste in a liquid and pastelike

phase in the special capacities providing tightness and

anticorrosive stability and established in the specially

allotted place

Visual survey

The construction organization has to get Permission to

waste disposal

Analysis of confirming

documentation

The waste which is formed as a result of construction

activity has to be taken out to the dump or processed by

Analysis of confirming

documentation

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the licensed companies

To observe that the placed waste wasn't in places of

possible flooding

Visual survey

If asbestos is located on the project site, it shall be

marked clearly as hazardous material

Visual survey

When possible the asbestos will be appropriately

contained and sealed to minimize exposure

Visual survey

In case of need works with asbestos materials, workers

have to wear goggles, masks and gloves

Observation

The asbestos prior to removal (if removal is necessary)

will be treated with a wetting agent to minimize

asbestos dust.

Observation

Asbestos will be handled and disposed by skilled and

experienced professionals

Analysis of confirming

documentation

If asbestos material is be stored temporarily, the wastes

should be securely enclosed inside closed containments

and marked appropriately

Visual survey

The removed asbestos will not be reused Analysis of confirming

documentation

The waste containing asbestos has to be transported

according to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus

on transportation of hazardous waste

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

F. Effect of physical factors (noise,

vibration, etc.)

To organize work from 7:00 till 23:00 on weekdays Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To minimize operating time of the rustling equipment

idling

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

To use the modern equipment and mechanisms with the

low level of noise and vibration

Visual survey,

if necessary – instrumental control

of noise levels, vibration levels

Motor casings of generators, air compressors and other Visual survey,

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1 2 3 4

similar equipment have to be covered, the equipment

has to be on the maximum distance from the housing

if necessary – instrumental control

of noise levels, vibration levels

All workers have to be provided with individual

protection equipment

Observation, interviewing, analysis

of confirming documentation

G. Health of construction

personnel

All works have to be carried out with observance of

measures on construction safety and rules of carrying

out construction works for reduction of health and

environment impact

Periodic inspections, observation,

interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

Training in safety measures for all workers before

works

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

All workers have to be provided with individual

protection equipment. Individual protection equipment

has to conform to requirements of the international

standards (construction helmets, as required respirators

and goggles, safety mechanisms and special footwear

are always used)

Observation, interviewing, analysis

of confirming documentation

The corresponding bulletin boards on a building site

have to inform workers on key rules and requirements

which need to be observed

Visual survey, interviewing

Implementation of rules and security guidelines,

including use of individual protection equipment, has to

be encouraged and controlled on a regular basis

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

H. Occurrence of emergency

situations

All works have to be performed according to

requirements of labor protection and safety measures

Periodic inspections, observation,

analysis of confirming

documentation

The personnel have to be trained in actions in case of

emergency situations

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

I. Violation of road traffic

organization

The warning signs for the population and public

transport about all potentially dangerous works have to

be established

Visual survey

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The control system of the movement and training of

personnel, especially for ensuring access to an object

and nearby heavy traffic has to be organized. Safe

passes and transitions for pedestrians in places of the

movement of the construction equipment have to be

organized

Visual survey, analysis of

confirming documentation

Correction of operating time depending on the local

movement has to be carried out, for example, to avoid

active traffic by rush hour

Observation, analysis of confirming

documentation

Safe and continuous access for the population to all

nearby offices, objects of trade and houses during

construction works has to be provided

Visual survey

J. Social impacts To develop and introduce the mechanism of

consideration of addresses for receiving responses and

complaints at the local level

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

To carry out among construction personnel explanatory

work about need of correct behavior with locals

Interviewing, analysis of

confirming documentation

To place the stand with the general information on the

realized subproject. It is obligatory to specify terms of

implementation of the subproject

Visual survey

To place plates with apologies for temporary

inconveniences in case of violation of an esthetic look,

restriction or blocking of passes

Interviewing, visual survey

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Annex 12

Training program for the experts involved in implementation of the Project

№ The experts involved

in implementation of

the Project

Training subject The training organization The training program Cost

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 Experts of the PMU Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Environmental

protection”

2 persons х 250

USD

Environmental

assessment

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Environmental

assessment regarding atmospheric air,

an ozone layer, a plant and animal

life, radioactive effects and carrying

out public discussions”

2 persons х 300

USD

Environmental

assessment

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The seminar “Implementation of the

Law of the Republic of Belarus “On

state ecological expertise, strategic

environmental assessment and

environmental impact assessment”

2 persons х 300

USD

Environmental

assessment

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

The course “Requirements to the

“Environmental protection” section of

the project documents”

2 persons х 250

USD

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Specialists”

Requirements of the

World Bank and the

European Investment

Bank when holding a

procedure of

environmental

assessment,

requirements of the

World Bank and the

European Investment

Bank Safeguard Policies,

fundamentals of social

and environmental

policies

The PMU Environmental

Specialist

Courses, seminars on the

corresponding subjects

2 persons х 2000

USD

2 Representatives of

Oblast Thermal

Modernization Funds

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Environmental

protection”

10 persons х 250

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Requirements to

observance of the environmental

protection legislation in the

organizations of housing and

communal services”

10 persons х 250

USD

Environmental

assessment

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

The course “Environmental

assessment regarding atmospheric air,

an ozone layer, a plant and animal

life, radioactive effects and carrying

10 persons х 300

USD

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

out public discussions”

Environmental

assessment

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The seminar “Implementation of the

Law of the Republic of Belarus “On

state ecological expertise, strategic

environmental assessment and

environmental impact assessment”

10 persons х 300

USD

Requirements of power

audit and rationing of

consumption of fuel and

energy resources

State Institute of Professional

Development and Personnel

Training at Gas Supply Field

“GAS-INSTITUTE”

The educational program “Power

audit and rationing of consumption of

fuel and energy resources”

10 persons х 200

USD

Requirements of energy

saving, increase in

efficiency of fuel and

energy resources use

State Institute of Professional

Development and Personnel

Training at Gas Supply Field

“GAS-INSTITUTE”

The educational program “Energy

saving, increase in efficiency of fuel

and energy resources use”

10 persons х 200

USD

Production

environmental control

State Institute of Professional

Development and Personnel

Training at Gas Supply Field

“GAS-INSTITUTE”

The educational program

“Environmental saving activity and

production environmental control”

10 persons х 200

USD

Production

environmental control

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Production

environmental control”

10 persons х 250

USD

Appointment and basic

provisions of the ESMF;

The analysis of

requirements of the

World Bank/the

RUE “BELINVESTENERGO-

SBEREJENIE”

Seminars on training in basic

provisions of the ESMF, it practical

application

10 persons х 200

USD

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1 2 3 4 5 6

European Investment

Bank when holding a

procedure of

environmental and social

screening;

ESMP development

3 Representatives of

the contract

organizations which

are carrying out

works on

construction

(reconstruction)

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Environmental

protection”

10 persons х 250

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

construction

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The seminar “Waste management at

construction and reconstruction

activity”

10 persons х 200

USD

Requirements of labor

protection and safety

measures in construction

Republican center of labor

protection of the Ministry of

Labor and Social Protection of

the Republic of Belarus

The course “Labor protection and

safety measures in construction”

10 persons х 400

USD

4 Representatives of

Customers

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Environmental

protection”

10 persons х 250

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

The course “Waste management:

collecting, storage and burial,

transportation, use and neutralization”

10 persons х 300

USD

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1 2 3 4 5 6

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Production

environmental control”

10 persons х 250

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The seminar “Procedure of

maintaining environmental passport of

enterprise”

10 persons х 150

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The seminar “Procedure of

maintaining primary environmental

documentation at the enterprises”

10 persons х 150

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

operation of buildings

and constructions

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

The course “Requirements to

observance of the environmental

protection legislation in the

organizations of housing and

communal services”

10 persons х 250

USD

Requirements of the

environmental protection

legislation of the

Republic of Belarus in

State Educational Institution

“Republican Center of State

Ecological Expertise and

Raising of Qualification of

The course “The new ecological

standards and rules EcоS&R

17.01.06-001-2017”

10 persons х 300

USD

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1 2 3 4 5 6

operation of buildings

and constructions

Executive Employees and

Specialists”

Requirements of labor

protection and safety

measures legislation of

the Republic of Belarus

in operation of buildings

and constructions

Republican center of labor

protection of the Ministry of

Labor and Social Protection of

the Republic of Belarus

The course “Labor protection and

safety measures in operation of

buildings and constructions”

10 persons х 400

USD

5 All experts

participating on

implementation of

the Project

Appointment and basic

provisions of the ESMF;

The analysis of

requirements of the

World Bank/the

European Investment

Bank when holding a

procedure of

environmental and social

screening;

ESMP development

RUE “BELINVESTENERGO-

SBEREJENIE”

Preparation, listing and distribution of

various information materials and

operations

5000 USD

TOTAL 61700 USD

Note. This program is not final. The presence of programs at the training organizations will be specified.

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Annex 13

Indicators of the project results

Title of the

Subproject

Subproject

category (B

or C)

The name of

organization

realizing the

Subproject

The realized

actions for

impact

reduction

The unrealized

actions for

impact reduction

The reason

of

unrealization

The

correcting

action,

term of

realization

The list of

the

complaints

received

during the

subproject

realization

The

penalties

received

during the

subproject

realization

The list of

held

seminars,

proposed

capacity

building

activities

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

TOTAL

quantity

– – 5 6 – – 6 3 2

! The numbers in columns 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 are presented for an example of analytical information

Title of the

Subproject

Subproject

category (B or C)

The name of

organization

realizing the

Subproject

The quantity

of realized

actions

The quantity of

unrealized

actions

The

quantity of

complaints

The

quantity

of

penalties

The quantity of held

seminars, proposed

capacity building

activities

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Subproject №1 В Organization 1 5 1 2 1 2

Subproject №2 C Organization 2 8 2 1 2 2

TOTAL

quantity

2, of it:

B – 1;

C – 1

– 13 3 3 3 4

! Information is provided in the table for an example

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Annex 14

Record of complaints/inquires

COMPLAINT/INQUIRY RECORD

Instructions: This form is to be completed by staff receiving the inquiry or complaint and kept in the

Project’s file. Attach any supporting documentation/letters as relevant.

Date Complaint Received:

Name of Staff Completing Form:

Complaint Received (check √):

□ National level □ Oblast level □ District level □ Village level

Mode of Filing Inquiry or Complaint (check √):

□ In person □ Telephone □ E-mail □ Phone Text Message □ Website

□ Complaint /Suggestion box □ Community meeting □ Public consultation □ Other ______________

Name of Person Raising Complaint: (information is optional and always treated as confidential)

Gender: □ Male □ Female

Address or contact information for Person Raising Complaint: (information is optional and

confidential)

Location where complaint /problem occurred [write in]

National level:

Oblast level: District level:

Village level:

Brief Description of Complaint or Inquiry: (Provide as much detail and facts as possible)

Category 1 Social Safeguards

Category 2 Environmental Safeguards

Category 3 Complaints regarding violations of policies, guidelines and procedures

Category 4 Complaints regarding contract violations

Category 5

Complaints regarding the misuse of funds/lack of transparency, or other

financial management concerns

Category 6

Complaints regarding abuse of power/intervention by project or government

officials

Category 7 Complaints regarding MERP staff performance

Category 8 Reports of force majeure

Category 9 Complaint about project interventions

Category 10 Other

Who should handle and follow up on the complaint:

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Progress in resolving the complaints (e.g answered, being resolved, settled):

Other comments:

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APPROVED BY

October “05”, 2018

MINUTES OF CONSULTATION MEETING

Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project

Environmental and Social Management Framework

Minsk October 05, 2018

The consultation meeting with the interested parties for discussion of the Environmental and Social

Management Framework (ESMF) with respect to the Sustainable Energy Scale-Up Project, developed

according to the requirements of the World Bank (WB), took place on October 5, 2018 from 11:00 till 12:00 at

RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” at the following address: 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N, Minsk. The

ESMF describes procedures and mechanisms, which shall be implemented within the framework of the project

activities for meeting the requirements on environmental protection and social sphere protection according to

the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and Safeguard Policies of the World Bank.

The ESMF together with an announcement about holding of the consultation meeting was posted on the

websites of RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”; the Energy Efficiency Department of Gosstandart and Oblast

Executive Committees of Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev oblasts from September 12 till

September 15, 2018.

Possible comments and suggestions of the interested parties with respect to the ESMF could have been

sent to RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie”, the organization responsible for conducting of public discussions,

not later than October 1, 2018, by mail: 12 Dolgobrodskaya str., Bldg. 2N, 220037, Minsk, to e-mail:

[email protected] or by phone 352-58-25.

Possible comments and suggestions of the interested parties with respect to the ESMF had been not

received by RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” till the specified time.

The PMU Employees of RUE “Belinvestenergosberezhenie” participated in the consultation meeting, as

well as developers of the ESMP, for whom presentation of the ESMF was held. Representatives of the -Oblast

Executive Committees, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties did not take part in the

consultation meeting. The presentation included overall overview of the document, description and explanation

of national procedures for the Environmental Impact Assessment and social aspects, including differences of

national procedures and Safeguard Policies of the World Bank, and also clarifications on drawing-up of the

Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).

Comments and suggestions were not received in the course of the consultation meeting.

Minutes were kept by

Deputy Head of the Technical Control

Department

(signed)

D.A. Petrovich

Chief Engineer of the Projects

of the Subdivision

for Implementation

of IBRD Projects (signed) A.I. Korol

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