Safeguards

Social, Biodiversity, and Biosecurity Safeguards of the GEF6 Project

Environmental Planning Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism, Republic of Palau

DRAFT: June 2020

Purpose of these Safeguards:

• Strengthen the social and environmental outcomes of GEF6 projects and activities

• Avoid adverse impacts to people and the environment

• Minimize, mitigate, and manage adverse impacts where avoidance is not possible.

Background of these Safeguards

• Palau’s GEF6 Project was designed in country and funded by GEF for the specific purpose of ensuring that safeguards for biodiversity are mainstreamed into conservation, management, and planning throughout Palau.

• In agreeing to the implementing and executing arrangements with GEF and UNDP, Palau agreed to UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards.

• These standards use local knowledge and are appropriate to Palau while meeting the minimum UNDP and GEF standards.

Overarching Safeguards:

1. GEF6-funded activities and projects must comply with National and State laws and regulations.

2. The Precautionary Principle and Precautionary Approach shall apply in cases of uncertainty.

3. GEF6-funded projects shall take NO actions that:

   1. 1. Restrict human rights

      2. Harm or disrespect Palauan Cultural Heritage (tangible or intangible culture)

      3. Negatively harm human health or the health of wildlife

      4. Negatively harm the environment or biodiversity

      5. Increase climate risks.

Social Safeguards

1. GEF6 projects will prioritize action on Public lands.

2. GEF6 projects on private land require durable assurance of public access and/or public benefits.

   1. • This may be in the form of a written assurance such as a legally recognized and lasting easement, for an agreed-upon length of time that has been agreed by the landowner, State, and MNRET.

      • This may also be in the form of existing private-public arrangements that are documented in durable form (e.g. presence of legal and financial agreements, presence of infrastructure, etc.).

3. GEF6 committees or groups shall always include an equitable and fair mix of genders, unless two separate Men’s and Women’s groups are formed and equitable participation, access, and authority is maintained by both groups.

4. Every GEF6 output shall consider its impact on:

   1. • 1. Women

        2. Men

        3. Elderly

        4. Youth

        5. Disabled populations

        6. Foreign Nationals (particularly populations in Palau on a work permit)

        7. Vulnerable peoples

      • If any group is unfairly harmed or faces undue burden due to the GEF6 output, the plan for the GEF6 project must be revised or mitigated.

Biodiversity and General Environmental Safeguards (see also Biosecurity Safeguards)

1. GEF6 projects are to avoid removing, reducing the populations of, or negatively impacting any species on the Palau Endangered and Threatened Species List (adopted or proposed).[1]

   1. 1. In the event of negative impact on an endangered or threatened species, mitigation must be included.

      2. The list of Endangered or Threatened species shall include species recommended as such by the Belau National Museum (BNM) or published in the NEPC’s State of the Environment (SOE) Report.

      3. Until an official National Endangered Species List is adopted by MNRET, this policy shall only apply to GEF6-funded projects.

2. The removal of native species is allowed only under specific conditions from MNRET.

   1. 1. No “eradication” of native species will be funded. The best available science shall be used to define "native" species.

3. No GEF6 project may degrade a water source or downstream marine area.

4. No GEF6 project may result in the net loss of mangroves.

5. Use of pesticides and chemicals is to be avoided. All approved pesticide and chemical use must be accompanied by a valid EQPB permit.

6. No GEF6 project shall utilize fire as a management tool.

7. All GEF6 projects will follow EQPB regulations on environmental quality, including stormwater and erosion-control measures. This includes 60-foot and 30-foot (on either side) buffer zone requirements and water classifications.

8. If required, GEF6 project proponents must operate under valid permits.

Biosecurity Safeguards (see also Biodiversity Safeguards)

1. No GEF6 project may use any species on the Palau Black and White List list.

2. No GEF6 project may use a species defined as having the “Potential to be Invasive” per BOA (including native or non-native species).

3. Use of non-native (introduced) species is limited to a specific list of BOA-approved species and may only be used under specific conditions and for specific uses.

   1. 1. See the associated “Native and non-native plant policy”

4. Use of aggressive native species is not encouraged, unless appropriate management protocols are in place.

5. GEF6-funded projects in Sustainable Tourism may NOT use any non-native species. Only use of native species will be funded under GEF6 Sustainable Tourism funding lines.

6. Pesticide and chemical use for the removal of invasive species is to be avoided. If used, a valid EQPB pesticide permit must be obtained.

7. Any inter-island transfer of species must follow appropriate safety and biosecurity precautions, per BOA guidance and following State laws.

Climate Safeguards 

1. Following the "No Regrets" approach in Palau's Climate Change Policy, planning shall be for a high emissions scenario, and thus account for a minimum of 9 mm/year in Sea Level Rise (2019 SOE).  Coastal Land Use Plans shall account for up to 7.0 inches of sea level rise by 2030.

2. Land Use Plans shall assume that Rainfall during the wet season will increase by 8% (by 2090; 2019 SOE), with an increase in high intensity events, and an increase in associated flooding and sedimentation.

3. Marine use planning will assume a 23% decline in reef fish abundance due to Climate Change (by 2040).

4. Due to their ability to buffer impacts from Climate Change, GEF6-funded projects will maintain existing mangrove cover. 

Financial Safeguards

1. All GEF6 projects must have an Annual Work Plan and must follow an approved Action Plan that includes a balanced budget.

2. Receipts for all expenditures under GEF6 must be retained and follow financial procedures.

3. Unless included in an Annual Work Plan or Action Plan, no individual may receive financial incentives from GEF6 projects.

4. Financial incentives may NOT be provided to volunteers.

5. GEF6 project participants may NOT use any information arising from the GEF6 to unfairly enrich themselves, their families, or their States; or to hinder growth by any other entity.

6. Equipment and supplies purchased with GEF6 funds belong to MNRET/GEF6 until the end of the project, after which time they belong to the State or Partner as a publicly-held asset. Appropriate public asset management policies shall apply.

[1] UNDP Safeguards use the IUCN Red List as the basis for determining if an organism is endangered. These GEF6 Palau Safeguards instead use local expertise as provided by the Belau National Museum or National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC).  Palau agreed to the UNDP Social and Environmental Safeguards in its MOU with the GEF and UNDP.