Component 2 "Capacity Development for Environmental
Impact Assessment of Power Projects"
Regional EIA On-the Job Training and
Regional SEA On-the-Job Training
Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok, 14 to 18 September 2009

The purpose of the two trainings conducted in parallel will be to build capacity within the relevant stakeholders in the GMS (Power Ministries, Power Generating and Transmission Organizations / Companies and Environmental Authorities).

The Regional On-the-Job Training on EIA for Power Ministries, Power Generating and Transmission Organizations / Companies and Environmental Authorities seeks to build capacity within the relevant stakeholders (power utility and government authorities) in the areas identified by the Consultants and in consultation with the GMS countries.

 Agenda EIA Training

The training is designed to improve the working knowledge of the participants in EIA methodology and practice with emphasis on improved legislation, new performance criteria and analytical techniques, new issues of concern (transboundary and climate change issues), advances in social and health impact assessment, public participation, and worldwide “best practices” for EIA development and implementation. Participants will develop a better working knowledge and understanding of:

• Environmental assessment policy, procedures and practice;
• EIA document review for adequacy, completeness, and acceptability of proposed mitigation measures;
• The international lending institutions’ requirements for project finance (loans from the IFC’s based on Performance Criteria and the Equator Principles);
• Worldwide “best practices” for mitigation measures to provide social equity and environmental protection;
• How and why public participation is used to modify project design and monitor the adequacy of proposed and implemented mitigation measures.

Participants will gain an appreciation of how the tools of EIA assist responsible power ministries and environment agencies to achieve sustainable development within the country’s stated policy goals of poverty alleviation, livelihood intervention improvement, conservation of natural resources, and management of the environment.

The Regional On-the-Job Training on SEA for Power Companies and Environmental Authorities seeks to build capacity of the relevant stakeholders (power utility and government authority) in the areas where it is lacking, as identified by the Consultants and in consultation with the GMS countries.

 Agenda SEA Training

SEA extends the aims and principles of EIA upstream to the higher, pre-project level of decision making. The SEA Training is designed to improve the working knowledge of the participants in SEA methodology with emphasis on new means of analyzing and addressing the environmental effects of policies, plans, programmes (PPP) and other proposed strategic actions, and worldwide “best practices” for SEA development and implementation. Participants will develop a better working knowledge and understanding of:

• SEA Concept and Implementation;
• SEA Screening and Scoping Methodology and Practice;
• SEA Scenarios Preparation;
• Environmental Social and Environmental Impacts;
• Weighting Assessment;
• Identifying SEA Recommendations and Reporting.

The training addresses high level energy sector planners, administrators of environmental agencies. Both development planner and environmental administrators should learn to work together for an integrated planning toward sustainable development.