- Canal Sugar Co. is implementing an integrated investment project in West Minya that includes reclamation of desert lands for the cultivation of about 180,000 feddans of beets needed for the production of sugar in addition to other crops.
- Canal Sugar commissioned Environics to conduct a full-fledged EIA study Category “C”, including construction and operation phases as well as stakeholders’ consultation. The firm had previously prepared the Scoping Study for the same project.
- Environics prepared the ESIA for land reclamation according to national and international guidelines. AfDB and IFC guidelines and operational safeguards, as well as AfDB comments on the Scoping Study, were taken into account.
- The ESIA report encompassed: study objectives and scope of work, project description, and summary of environmental legislations relevant to the project that included both national and international regulations (relevant conventions, IFC Performance standards as well as AfDB Operational Safeguards), in addition to environmental and social baseline study.
- Intensive desktop review was carried out and a field visit took place to refine and supplement information on the project site and nearby sensitivities.
- Project alternatives were evaluated, and impacts were assessed based on the information collected in the field, available in the literature and/or based on the professional judgment of the consulting team and public consultation.
- Issues raised by the AfDB after reviewing the Scoping Study were investigated and adequately addressed in the ESIA. These issues concerned biological impacts (attraction of agro-biodiversity including invasive species and pests) and impacts of greenhouse gases, as well as components such as: fertilizer application, waste and hazardous waste management.
- Proper mitigation measures were provided taking into consideration the performance standards of the IFC as well as project specific guidelines for crop production and AfDB guidance notes. The Environmental Management and Monitoring plan was developed for the project.
- More detailed stakeholders’ consultation and disclosure activities were carried out to end up with a comprehensive list of project stakeholders. Individual and public consultations results were provided and stakeholder engagement plan was developed.
