The Asian Development Bank (ADB) commissioned ESC as Safeguards Policy Specialist in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
About the Project
ADB needed a Safeguards Policy Specialist to assist them in better understanding the Environmental and Involuntary Resettlement safeguards regulatory and policy framework including state-level specificities, and to document national and State-level requirements and procedures for the processing and implementation of small-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Malaysia.
Our Approach
ESC reviewed Malaysia’s regulatory and policy framework for environmental and social safeguards at the national and state levels. The review included all the policies, laws and regulations related to land acquisition and involuntary resettlement at the ministerial and state level. It also covered the environmental laws and regulations, the Environment Quality Act 1974, Clean Air Regulation 2014, Stack Gas Emission Standards 1978, Industrial Effluent Treatment System (IETS) Regulation 2009, Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009.
Applicable environmental laws and regulations for small-scale (i.e. less than 5-10MW) renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects, particularly on environmental impact assessment (EIA), air pollution control, health and safety (including core labour standards), waste management, biodiversity conservation, physical cultural resources conservation.
ESC produced a summary report on the regulatory and policy framework of the project; EIA and procedures for small-scale RE/EE projects; the licensing/permitting requirements, procedures and approval authorities for small-scale RE/EE projects and documents.
Our international and multidisciplinary teams from India and Malaysia supported the ADB Philippines for this project.
Outcome
ESC completed the development of ADB’s safeguards policies and provided operational coordination and specific inputs to successfully managing environmental and social safeguards during project preparation and implementation in compliance with safeguard policies.