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Newsletter nr. 14, November 2015
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NCEA support to SEA for oil/gas exploration in Ghana's Volta basin
The NCEA visited Ghana (4-6 November) in the framework of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to be undertaken for oil/gas exploration in the Voltaian basin. The NCEA contributed to a kickoff workshop for this SEA and assessed opportunities for NCEA support in the SEA process. It was agreed that the NCEA’s role will be similar to its role in the earlier SEA for offshore oil/gas (2010-2013). This means that the NCEA will provide coaching, support and quality assurance of the SEA process and products. The SEA is funded by the Norwegian Oil for Development (OfD) programme and will be undertaken by Norwegian consultants and a Ghanaian SEA team.
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National workshop on SEA for IWRM in Rwanda
SEA is most effective when neatly integrated with the plan process it is linked to. Scoping for SEA for catchment planning in Rwanda will therefore need to be done in the same period in which the provisional catchment plans are to be developed. To ensure this, the NCEA together with the Water Department of the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority organised a national training workshop on SEA for Integrated Water Resources Management at catchment level (29 September-3 October). In the coming time, the NCEA will continue to coach this trajectory in four demonstration catchment areas, and strengthen capacity for SEA through learning by doing.
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Training and workshop on EIA for oil/gas and water in Myanmar
Together with the Norwegian environmental agency, the NCEA gave a training in Myanmar on the use of EIA for oil and gas. The training (21-25 September) focused on EIA for seismic research for oil and gas, which precedes the phase of exploration. Participants included government staff responsible for oil and gas. Moreover, the NCEA gave a workshop on EIA for projects in the water sector, upon invitation by the Ministry of Transport. Participants included Ministry staff as well as a number of NGO representatives.
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High level meeting for SEA awareness raising in Georgia
Director Rob Verheem and technical secretary Arend Kolhoff from the NCEA gave a presentation to raise awareness on SEA in Georgia (30 September-3 October). High level staff from various ministries were present, including the ministries of Environment, Health, Economy, Sustainable Development & Energy, and Regional Development & Infrastructure. Subsequently, the NCEA visited each of these ministries to further discuss SEA. Georgia is in the process of preparing for SEA application. The draft SEA legislation is expected to be approved in early 2016.
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NCEA support on EIA financing and screening in Zanzibar
The NCEA visited Zanzibar (3-11 September) to support the updating of two items of the EIA regulations. Working sessions were held on financing needs and mechanisms for EIA tasks, and on EIA screening. Other topics relevant for the EIA regulations, such as registration of EIA experts, were also discussed. The updating of EIA regulations follows the adoption of a new Environmental Management Act in Zanzibar. This Act provides, among others, for the establishment of ZEMA (the Zanzibar Environmental Management Authority). EIA tasks are among ZEMA’s responsibilities. The NCEA’s working sessions took place with both ZEMA Unguja and ZEMA Pemba.
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Advice on best practice EIA for Indonesian tin mining
The NCEA issued a report (26 August) with recommendations on best practice EIA for tin mining. It concerns both offshore and onshore mining – for the latter with a focus on rehabilitation activities. The report deals with environmental issues such as the use of eco-dredging techniques, but also social issues such as the need for clear contractual arrangements between companies and smallholder miners. Recommendations aim both at what companies can do and where government could take the lead, such as carrying out an SEA for sector wide solution strategies. The report was requested by the Tin Working Group of the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and will be input into the development of a roadmap for responsible tin mining in Indonesia.
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