Extractive industry scrutinizes Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards

On the 4 April LEAD International hosted a one day course by Mehrdad Nazari. Mehrdad is a LEAD Fellow (Cohort 7), Director of LEAD Canada and Director of Prizma consultancy. Insights from Dr Martin Birley, a global expert in Health Impact Assessment were also brought to the table, where participants from a range of major organizations shared their experiences and opinion. Some of the social aspects which emerged from the discussions were demographics, local commerce & economy, employment, social infrastructure, resettlement, cultural property and use of local resources by the project.

The participants group included representatives from Atkins, Worley Parsons, IPIECA, Maplecroft, Global Witness, StatoilHydro, Haskoning Netherlands, Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College and other professionals from consulting and energy sectors. Basit Khan, LEAD Fellow - Cohort 5, also joined the group and shared his extractive industries expertise.

T he presenters introduced some of the key global challenges which have driven the development of the World Bank and IFC standards,  and how the revised standards represent a clear shift from the “expert process” approach to an “integrated process” approach.  The relevance of the standards within different stages of environmental and social impact assessment were discussed using case studies and participants’ experiences.

Health impacts, which have a direct relationship with physical, social and demographic settings, were covered in detail. The discussions highlighted that while environmental, social and health assessments have significant overlap/linkages, there are exclusive aspects which need specialist skills, competencies and planning.  Resettlement planning and the ever emerging issue of human rights, with respect to extractive industries, were discussed in relation to the IFC standards.
The course was such a success that more sessions will be hosted at LEAD International’s offices in London on the 4 December 2008 and 3 April 2009.  The next courses will include presentations from Karen Hayes, Extractive Industries Program Director at PACT. Karen has been involved in artisanal mining and post conflict related challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
LEAD Fellows can get discounted rates! To download the course flyer, click here. For more details on how to register, please contact Mehrdad Nazari.
If you are a LEAD Fellow and you would like to explore the possibility of borrowing LEAD’s training room, please contact Isabela Souza.

Release date: Friday, April 4, 2008