Strategic Environmental Assessment for the National Adaptation Strategy

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Strategic Environmental Assessment for the
National Adaptation Strategy
Mary M. Matthews, Ph.D. Glenroy Ennis SEA
Consultants for European Delegation
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Overview

• SEA Objectives
• SEA Parameters and Direction
• Policy Institutional Framework
• Baseline
• Alternatives - Sectors
• Environmental Concerns for Alternatives
• Agriculture
• Residential
• Industrial
• Recommendations for improving conditions and
  reducing costs
• Discussion

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Strategic Environmental Assessment Objectives

• To identify concerns, priorities and roles of key
  stakeholders pertaining to the specific planning,
  programme and policy making process
• To identify negative environmental impacts and
  positive environmental effects of the divestment
  from Caroni (1975) Ltd.
• To make recommendations within the current
  institutional context towards more sustainable
  and beneficial environmental efforts.

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SEA Parameters

• Caroni (1975) Ltd.
• Affected areas and issues
• Assessment within context of what is already
  being done
• Agriculture - Mega Farms 2 Acre Plots
• Residential - EMBD Housing Estates
• Industrial - E-Teck and NEC Plans
• Methodology Used

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Policy Institutional Framework

• Vision 2020 Development Strategy
• Environmental Policy and Institutional Frameworks
• Agricultural Policy and Institutional Frameworks
• Residential Policies and Plans
• Energy and Industrial Policies and Strategies
• Wide Range Planning Mechanisms
• (WASA, Town Country, International Etc.)

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BaselineCaroni (1975) Ltd. PropertiesPrior to
2004
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Baseline Environmental Issues
ISSUES BASELINE CONDITIONS
Water Rain fed crops (predominantly) River withdrawal ponds Water generated from sugar processing WASA potable water Small for residential
Soil Acidic, heavy urea fertilizers Poor soil structure Minimal erosions Agro chemical application
Air Quality Fly ash in sugar mills (scrubber) Aerial spraying Burning and particulate matter
Climate Change CO2 sequestration in sugarcane Burning release CO
Bio Diversity Mono culture Aerial Spraying/pesticide use resulting in Loss of fauna birds and fish, mammals and reptiles Loss of beneficial insects Food web disruptions
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Baseline Social Issues
ISSUES Baseline Conditions
Human Health Frequent medical check ups for workers Affordable health facilities available
Social Inclusiveness Direct and indirect employment Provide social amenities Social infrastructural development More cohesive communities company towns
Cultural Heritage Landscape Preserve little cultural heritage Deterioration of sugar estate Deterioration of sports club
Economics Employment driven economy 7000 employees Dependence on subsidies Access to economic security Good apprenticeship programme
Material Assets Ongoing infrastructure network Ongoing maintenance programme Generated power and water
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Caroni Land Allocation Acres
13 Mega Farms 2,263
2 Acre Plots 20,319
Caroni Non-cane Agriculture 11,109
Agricultural Squatters 4,222
Existing Tenants 11,861
39 EMBD Residential Estates 4,053
NEC Industrial Estate 3,500
6 E-Teck Industrial Estates 578
Unassigned Lands 16,703
Total 76,608
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Agricultural Impacts - Env.
CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Agriculture
Water - Increase demand for water resources Increase pressure on aquifer Silting of waterways due to erosion Susceptible to flooding events
Soil Short term crop lowers soil fertility Frequent tillage and erosion Loss of useful soil organisms
Air Quality Improved due to a lack of burning of cane - Potential problems with excessive agro chemical uses
Climate Change Loss of sugarcane as a carbon sink Improvement of other carbon sequestering crops
Bio Diversity Improved biodiversity health without aerial spraying of pesticide/herbicide Increase in beneficial insects
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Agricultural Impacts - SocioEcon
CONCERNS SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS - Agriculture
Human Health Exposure to harmful chemicals Increase in access to affordable foods
Social Inclusiveness Strengthening farming communities Improved inclusion of segments of society into agriculture - schools, labor, etc.
Cultural Heritage Landscape Maintaining cultural linkages to agriculture
Economics Guaranteed market for farm produce Increase rural income employment Strengthened agricultural enterprises
Material Assets Demands on existing infrastructure Potential demand on water infrastructure Possible use of grey water/ drainage water
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Residential Impacts - Env.
CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS - Residential
Water - Increase flooding and silting of waterways Increase water consumption - Potential sewerage overflows during storms
Soil Erosion (wind and rain) Lack of recharge/flooding due paving Contamination runoff from automobiles etc
Air Quality - Increased dust during clearing and construction - Particulate matter - Fumes from building, painting, operation
Climate Change - Increased energy consumption, air conditioning etc - Loss of carbon sinks
Bio Diversity Loss of habitats Loss of indigenous flora and fauna
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Residential Impacts - SocioEcon
CONCERNS SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT - Residential
Human Health Exposure to harmful chemicals Improved living conditions
Social Inclusiveness - Neighborhood adjustments period Improved social networking
Cultural Heritage Landscape Stronger community Loss of natural landscapes Potential vacant lot syndromes, dumping
Economics Construction sector employment Increase in personal capital investment Strengthened agricultural enterprises
Material Assets Improved infrastructure development - Increase demand on existing infrastructural systems (road, water, electricity)
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Industrial Impacts - Env
CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Industrial
Water - Increase flooding due to paving Contaminated surface ground water Increase demand on water resources Increased effluent discharges
Soil Soil contamination due to spills, Soil Erosion in construction Decline in soil quality, increase silting due to construction
Air Quality Increased emissions Increase particulate matter during construction
Climate Change - Loss of carbon sinks - Increase use of energy and Carbon Emissions
Bio Diversity Loss of habitats and sensitive species Potential impacts on sensitive coastal estuaries
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Industrial Impacts - SocioEcon
CONCERNS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Industrial
Human Health Exposure to harmful chemicals Noise pollution
Social Inclusiveness Increased workforce opportunities
Cultural Heritage Landscape Potential damage to coastal landscapes
Economics Improved employment opportunities Growth of GDP and downstream industry Strengthened industrial enterprises
Material Assets - Increase demands of existing infrastructure - roads, water, power - New infrastructure developments required
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Recommendations for Mitigation Enhancement
Macro Level

• Integrated Water Resource Management Plan with
  all impacting and affected sectors
• Climate Change Adaptation Strategy with realistic
  and realizable objectives
• Socio-economic Assessment, focusing on Labor
  Availability and Capacity Needs Assessment
  specific for each sector

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Recommendations for Mitigation - Agricultural

• Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Education
  Programme at all levels
• Concerted soil remediation and water retention
  management scheme
• Interagency/ multi-stakeholder capacity building
  efforts for low impact, high yield sustainable
  agriculture

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Recommendations for Mitigation Enhancement -
Residential

• Increase mixed use, high occupancy dwellings with
  enhanced green spaces surroundings
• Incorporation of social infrastructure with
  development plans and responsibilities for
  development assigned
• Institutionalize access to Green Fund for
  local/individual kitchen, community gardens, and
  park developments

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Recommendations for Mitigation Enhancement -
Industrial

• Enhanced use of Best Available Technologies,
  including citing of industry for all new
  industries
• Develop mixed use facilities with significant
  green buffer zones to all water ways
• Consult with local stakeholders to enhance the
  social support for projects early on and
  incorporate their suggestions into project design
  (social infrastructure)

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QuestionsandComments Please?
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Please keep thinking!

• We need your inputs and ideas to make a
  sustainable Trinidad and Tobago a reality.
• Please feel welcome to contact us at
  dr.mary.matthews_at_gmail.com andgenkosi_at_hotmail.com
• AND please visit the SEA blog for documents,
  ideas and inputs at
• http//seaforttnas.blogspot.com/
• THANK YOU!!!