Determined Contribution submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Challenges There is a lack of weather and climate related monitoring stations. There is a need to include climate change information and adaptation techniques across national strategic planning, including for education and construction. There is a need for skills and resources at the change. Consider water availability, and future use, during site selection. Continue to build climate awareness and local capacity to adapt to climate change. Consider water availability, and future use, during site selection.
local level to prepare for future climate change. There is an overall lack of funding in the government to address national climate change priorities. the country but could be critical in the following districts: Karonga, Nsanje, Chikwawa, Salima, Phalombe, Mwanza and Neno Rainfall and extreme weather and climate Malawi is likely to experience a later beginning and earlier end to the rainy season. In addition, rainfall events are likely to be more severe, but less frequent. Increased number dry and hotter days could lead to increased drought. Potential impacts include: High See above See above Students may be unable to attend school due to increased demands on time because of changes in resources (financial or other) due to extreme weather events. Changes in food and water security, as well as health, due to climate change impacting the education
Building functions and services, such as providing water, getting rid of waste, or food storage, disrupted due to flooding and heat waves. Ground and surface water availability and quality decreased during droughts and floods. Increased damage to building infrastructure due to flooding and strong winds. Lack of drainage for infrastructure, or building sites, in extreme flooding events. Students may be unable to sector throughout Malawi. During construction phase, it would be difficult for contractors to bring in materials for construction. Reduced or scarce water resources due to drought could result in contractors transporting water from long distances for construction works.
7.0 REVISIONS Per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9), when ongoing programs are revised to incorporate a change in scope or nature, a determination will be made as to whether such a change may have an environmental impact not previously assessed. If so, this environmental analysis will be amended to cover the changes. Per ADS 204, it is the responsibility of the USAID COR to keep the MEO/REA and BEO(s) informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this environmental analysis and threshold determination. 8.0 ANNEXES A Summary of climate risk management screening for construction activities under USAID/Malawi SEED General Background: The USAID/Malawi SEED activity aims to keep girls in school to decrease HIV new infections. The SEED activities are as follows: Construction of prefabricated classroom in Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities where up to 34 schools will be expanded with the installations of these classrooms. Construction of new classroom secondary schools throughout the country where at least 200 new schools will be constructed. The purpose of this Climate Risk Management (CRM) screening is to identify climate related risks to these construction activities now and in the future to make this activity more resilient to both future and current climate variability and change. These construction activities, like construction activities throughout Malawi, are sensitive to climate variability and change. To limit the risks of climate variability and change on USAID’s investment, a CRM screening was conducted. Through planning processes already in place, and being implemented by the activity, many climate risks have already been identified and are being addressed. The CRM screening will help identify further risks, and options to limit the impacts of those risks. Further, as stated in the infrastructure annex for CRM screening (), ‘engineering analysis preceding design activities must include consideration of climate change and its potential impacts on the location (siting), functionality, and sustainability of resulting infrastructure and infrastructure services. Such analysis must include identification of relevant data sets and gaps, review of local building standards and codes for adequacy, and determination of safety factors or other measures of uncertainty that will be carried through design. The results of this analysis, including risks identified and how they are addressed, shall be documented.’ This screening is part of implementing the Reference for ADS Chapter 201, ‘Climate Risks Management for USAID Projects and Activities.’
5: 2.1.1 EMMP SEED – XXX SITE – Environmental Risks or Potential Adverse Impacts Environment and Climate Mitigation Measure(s) [adapted from SEED IEE Conditions] Monitoring Indicator(s) Monitoring Method Monitoring and Reporting Frequency Responsible Parties & Estimated Costs Potential exclusion of project affected people Invite all potential project affected people to take part in consultative processes Invite all community leaders and related government officials to take part in consultative processes Divide community leaders and government officials from project affected people to ensure all claims are heard # of interviews with activity stakeholders conducted Existence of a stakeholder participatory list with contact information # of people identified during consultative process with legitimate tenure claims at proposed site Review documentation from stakeholder process Contact legitimate tenure claimants from stakeholder process to confirm participation When submitted Construction Manager Potential impact on undeveloped land through compensation Follow up with the community is needed to resolve the community’s handling of in-kind compensations Identify amount of legitimate tenure claims over the proposed site Identify nearby suitable and equitable land NOT in a sensitive ecosystem to provide as compensation to claimants and NOT already claimed by others # of legitimate tenure claimants that received equitable in-kind compensation Area of land provided during in-kind compensation Area of land requiring clearing of vegetation Review stakeholder consultation documentation Contact individuals from stakeholder process to confirm compensation received When submitted Construction Coordinator
Lack of proof of ownership may inhibit construction or endanger claims to the land Signed agreements with community leaders/education authorities approving land for SEED school use Signed agreements between community leaders and claimants releasing claim to school property Signed agreements between community leaders and claimants ensuring claimants long-term use of in-kind land # of community leaders\educational authorities signing an agreement for the approval of land for SEED school use # of legitimate tenure claimants agreeing to release claims to school property # of legitimate tenure claimants receiving agreements with community leaders for use of in-kind land Receipt of copies of agreements (match signed claimants to consultative process identified claimants) One time – Prior to Commencement of Construction Construction Manager 2.1.2 EMMP for Malawi SEED – XXX SITE – CDSS Pre-Construction Activities Environmental Risks or Potential Adverse Impacts Environment and Climate Mitigation Measure(s) [adapted from SEED IEE Conditions] Monitoring Indicator(s) Monitoring Method Monitoring and Reporting Frequency Responsible Parties & Estimated Costs Non-compliance with Malawian Government can lead to unintended environmental and legal consequences Obtain permission from the Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) to undertake this construction activity prior to breaking ground ESMP approval letter from EAD Approved document from EAD that the activity team has satisfied the Government of Malawi’s requirements for construction When submitted (prior to construction activities) Implementing Partner to have USAID review documentation before submittal.
A changing climate and district- specific natural disasters can negatively impact infrastructure if not planned for Designs to bolster buildings against: 1) Stronger Winds - reinforced roof and windows; 2) Heavier Rains – gutters that overhang the walls to reduce erosion and other erosion control measures; 3) Hail Storms – reinforced roof and windows, and construction bricks that will not be damaged by hail; 4) Increasing Temperatures – improved ventilation to quickly remove heat; and, 5) Earthquakes – reinforced foundation and walls. A completed and engineer approved construction design for ALL buildings that address the potential for severe weather and natural disasters Receipt of draft design Receipt of final design When submitted When submitted Construction Manager Poor site planning can lead to degradation of nearby natural resources No building to be constructed within 30m of a slope greater than 5% to prevent erosion from runoff Plan to include vegetation locations (i.e. trees) to avoid unnecessary destruction of vegetation A completed and engineer approved site plan for ALL buildings Receipt of draft design Receipt of final design When submitted When submitted Construction Manager
2.1.3 EMMP SEED – XXX SITE – CDSS SEED IEE & # Spot checks of delivered materials to construction site Spot checks of materials combined on site for construction purposes (i.e. testing concrete mixtures) Fortnightly Construction Coordinator with the Guidance from Construction Manager # NOT Spot checks of construction practices (i.e. all appropriate materials used in foundation, angle of roof trusses, thickness of walls, etc.) Construction Coordinator with Guidance from Construction Manager # Planned site inspections Construction Coordinator
ground water. WHERE IT IS UNAVOIDABLE that fill, sand, or gravel extraction should occur from waterways or ecologically sensitive areas, the risk of significant environmental impact MUST be minimized by 1) utilizing several points of extraction, 2) employing silt curtains, 3) keeping heavy equipment use within 50m of a sensitive area to a minimum, 4) striking a balance between the negative environmental impact of extracting all material from a site all at once to the cost of extracting small portions of the total numerous times to lessen the environmental shock to an ecological system, and 5) enacting as many material conservation techniques as possible to limit the amount of material needing to be extracted. Recycle unused construction materials or demolition debris to reduce excavation activities Cover piles of backfill with plastic sheeting to prevent runoff and use agricultural waste bales or other similar measures around the piles to prevent erosion and sedimentation Place fencing around on-site excavation areas Investigate shallower methods for excavation or no excavation at all Fill in clay quarries before abandoning, unless community officials plan to repurpose the clay pit and the pit does not create a health and safety risk while be used for construction are being extracted from water bodies or ecologically sensitive areas plus 1) maps of each site where material will be extracted, 2) the expected quantity of material to be extracted per site, 3) the frequency at which material will be extracted per site, 4) multiple photos per site showing the ecological health of the site before, during, and after each extraction, and 5) the monetary cost estimate of extracting material per site as opposed to purchasing and hauling it in from an on-land quarry. Approximate weight of construction materials or demolition debris repurposed / reused % of backfill piles NOT covered with plastic sheeting % of backfill piles WITHOUT erosion control measures in place Planned and unscheduled site visits Report from contractor as to use of repurposed materials Evidence that timber originated from a licensed supplier (picture / photocopy of license, check with relevant Ministry as to license validity) materials One-time confirmation of timber supplier license
inspections # of staff trained in fire prevention techniques # of incidences of unplanned fires A written policy regarding worker health and safety and commitment to compliance with host country requirements All workers receive a safety and health induction that explains safe work practices, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and their safety and health protections under law Internal monitoring system to: 1) conduct regular of sites against standards, and 2) tracking violations and accidents Vehicles traveling in communities must adhere to a STC approved speed limit to slow potentially dangerous traffic and install speed humps adjacent to the construction site Materials hauled in open vehicles must be covered to prevent any material from falling out Existence of written health and safety policy # of worker safety trainings conducted Ratio of personal protection equipment to employed workers # of postings in local languages around perimeter # of speed humps installed adjacent to the construction site # of incidences where open hauling construction vehicles DO NOT cover the materials while in transit Scheduled site visits Spot site visits Interviews with construction manager Interviews with workers Review of site meting minutes Inventory review of personal protection equipment Fortnightly visits and interviews Monthly review of personal protection equipment inventory Quarterly review of training materials and attendance log Construction Manager and Construction Coordinator
Site boundaries are well-marked and access is actively controlled Prevent community members from accessing the construction and excavation sites where hazardous obstacles are present (e.g. use of tall opaque plastic fencing, day and/or night guard, etc.) Ensure privacy, to the extent possible, of neighbors adjacent to construction sites (e.g. use of tall opaque plastic fencing, non-removal of tall vegetation between construction site and compounds, etc.) Good housekeeping practices are in place to maintain a clean site Safety signs and posters (at a minimum to mark site boundary, hardhat areas, explosion toxic hazards, etc.) Smoking is banned altogether or restricted to designated smoking area well away from flammable materials % of construction perimeter with opaque fencing # of entrances to construction site Ratio of entrances controlled with a worker or guard to total number of entrances On a scale of 1 (extremely dirty) to 10 (extremely clean), rating of site cleanliness # of warning signs and posters on site % of total construction workers agreeing not to smoke on-site or near the school Regular site visit Walk the perimeter of the construction site Walk the total area of the construction site to make observations Monthly Construction Coordinator and Construction Oversight Committee A first aid kit is on-site and accessible with at least one person always on site that is trained in its use and basic first aid Drinking water and sanitary facilities are provided (or are easily accessible from the site), including stations # of FULL (not empty or lacking) first aid kits on site # of personnel trained in first aid and first aid kit use Yes or No access to drinking water and sanitary Site visit Review any incidences of workers needing to be vaccinated against tetanus Monthly check up of first aid kit Quarterly check on first aid training, accessibility of hygienic facilities, Construction Coordinator and Construction Oversight Committee washing
Shore or slope back the trench or pit wall for ANY excavated area 1.75m or deeper Provide a means of exit (ladder, stair, ramp) at least every 10m for any excavated area trench or pit, where trench or pit walls are NOT shored up or sloped back, or where a means of escape is not available for deep excavated areas Coordinator Neither leaded paint nor asbestos in any form is to be used in new construction # of incidences of leaded paint or asbestos observed on site Scheduled site visits Spot check cans of paint purchased by contractor for containing lead Interviews with construction manager Spot check paint cans whenever possible on site Quarterly Construction Manager Damage to local habitat, compact soil, and create erosion via building and occupation of construction camps Appropriate housing SHOULD be available in the community for workers to avoid construction worker camps IF a construction worker camp is required: Set a site management plan to reduce negative impacts on the host community entailing security concerns, public health issues, speeding vehicles, waste disposal, energy sourcing, and illegal extraction of natural resources Keep camp size to a minimum. Require that crew preserve as much vegetation as possible, e.g., by creating defined footpaths Existence of a site management plan # of incidences of complaints made to or by the Construction Oversight Committee (a group of community members plus the contractor and the IP) Area of camp Area of denuded vegetation Scheduled site visits Walking the site Review complaints made to or by the Construction Oversight Committee Review documentation showing that camp workers have been Fortnightly review of complaints Monthly inspections Construction Manager together with Coordinator
waste is found in an open pit at the beginning of work # of incidences where fuel was used to burn waste # of bins designated for reusable waste Improper management of hazardous waste (oils, petrol/gasoline, kerosene, solvents, chemicals, lead acid, etc.) can lead to environmental degradation and be a health risk to workers and beneficiaries Set protocols for managing / handling hazardous waste Train workers involved in hazardous waste management in site-specific protocols Manage hazardous wastes from creation to segregation to safe handling to disposal and to reduction Designate a safe and lockable location on site to store hazardous materials away from flammable materials or equipment Safely remove hazardous material and dispose of it at government approved locations As stockpiles can spontaneously combust, reuse or retread or sell tire waste to remove from site Existence of protocols for managing / handling hazardous waste % of workers trained in hazardous waste protocols # of methods used to safely store hazardous waste # of times hazardous materials disposed of in government approved locations Site visit Review of documentation Interviews with construction manager and workers Monthly Construction Coordinator Improper management of construction waste (old construction Construction waste must NOT be stored or allowed to migrate off site Approximate weight of construction waste found off-site Site visit Estimation of Monthly At end of Construction Coordinator and construction
improperly constructed latrines and water sources that would lead to increased health risks disasters Poor latrine accessibility/ availability can lead pupils to defecate outdoors, to not practice good hygiene, or to not attend school WHO recommends no more than 25 pupils per latrine The Government of Malawi allows for a maximum of 60 pupils per latrine IF separate urinals are accessible As the activity is targets improving education accessibility for adolescent girls and Malawian schools are often overcrowded beyond the planned pupil population, it is recommended a ratio of 20 and 10 female pupils per latrine WITH and WITHOUT urinals, respectively. # of male and female latrines, separated # of male and female urinals, separated Latrine construction documentation review Count latrines on site Quarterly Poor water supply construction/ management can lead to drinking water contamination and health risks to beneficiaries Obtain a water abstraction Community Activity license from the National Water Resources Authority before water point construction Set use and maintenance protocols for constructed water points Provide community awareness to instruct on proper usage and maintenance in collaboration with the School Management Committee Do NOT allow domesticated animals within 10 meters of drinking water sources Do NOT allow stagnant water puddles (> 1 liter) within near the water source Existence of valid license for water abstraction Existence of use and maintenance protocols # of community members trained in use and maintenance of the constructed water source Area around water source secured from animals # of stagnant water puddles (> than a liter) due to animals within 10 meters of Receive copy of valid water abstraction license Review documentation on protocols and trainings Site visits to inspect water source When license is submitted Fortnightly inspection of water source Quarterly review of documentation and monitoring for FOUR quarters post-construction (government counterparts, coordinated efforts with other USAID partners, or IP contracted Construction manager together with Coordinator School Management Committee (with IP guidance)
Poor accessibility/ availability can lead to unhygienic practices and to the spread of fecal-oral diseases Hand-washing station must be within 1.5m of latrine exit Cleansing material (soap, ash, etc.) must be readily accessible and securely connected to hand-washing station to allow for use but prevent thievery # of incidences where the hand-washing station is NOT within 1.5m of latrine exit % of handwashing stations WITHOUT secure cleansing material available Site visit Monthly Quarterly maintenance checks for FOUR quarters Implementing Partner and the School Management Committee Poor maintenance of soakaway pits can lead to more standing water, contamination of topsoils, and health risk to beneficiaries Monitor and keep drains and soakaways clear of debris In areas that continuously have drainage issues, create soakaways or cover with gravel to reduce stagnant water surface area available for disease vectors Use riprap (cobbled stone), gravel or concrete as needed to prevent erosion of drainage structures % of soakaways NOT clear of debris or NOT properly maintained Site visits Monthly Quarterly maintenance checks for FOUR quarters (government counterparts, coordinated efforts with other USAID partners, or IP contracted monitors) Implementing Partner and the School Management Committee Lack of erosion controls around WASH Infrastructure may lead to soil, vegetation, and infrastructure degradation Implement a soil protection system around WASH infrastructure Use erosion control measures such as bales (pesticide free bales of agricultural waste) before storm events Ensure there are NO leakages from WASH infrastructure % of WASH infrastructure WITHOUT leakages % of WASH infrastructure with erosion controls implemented around them Site visit Monthly Quarterly maintenance checks for FOUR quarters (government counterparts, coordinated efforts with other USAID partners, or IP contracted monitors) Construction manager together with Coordinator
2.1.5 EMMP table for Malawi seed – xxx SITE – Post-Construction Activities Environmental Risks or Potential Adverse Impacts Environment and Climate Mitigation Measure(s) [adapted from SEED IEE Conditions] Monitoring Indicator(s) Monitoring Method Monitoring and Reporting Frequency Responsible Parties & Estimated Costs Hazardous abandoned structures or eroded soils around such structures can lead to health risks to beneficiaries and community members Remove or bury all abandoned construction materials and rubble Fill in and close all temporary latrines and septic systems Restore the site through replanting, reseeding, and use of soil erosion control measures Approximate weight of construction materials or demolition debris on-site NOT yet removed, repurposed, or buried % of all temporary latrines and septic systems NOT filled in and closed % of total area disturbed revegetated Site visits Approximating weight of construction waste Measuring areas Beginning when construction is complete and at the end of the construction period