The World Bank Report No: ISR10522 Implementation Status & Results Bhutan Strengthening Institution Capacity for Implementation of Environmental Safeguards (P111160) Public Disclosure Copy Operation Name: Strengthening Institution Capacity for Implementation of Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 5 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 28-Jun-2013 Environmental Safeguards (P111160) Country: Bhutan Approval FY: 2008 Product Line: Institutional Development Fund Region: SOUTH ASIA Lending Instrument: Implementing Agency(ies): National Environment Commission Key Dates Board Approval Date 16-Apr-2008 Original Closing Date 05-Jun-2011 Planned Mid Term Review Date Last Archived ISR Date 02-May-2012 Effectiveness Date 05-Jun-2008 Revised Closing Date 05-Jun-2012 Actual Mid Term Review Date Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from IDF Proposal) The specific development objective of the Grant is to strengthen institutional capacity for implementation of environmental safeguards in Bhutan. This would be done through (i) development of regulations for implementation of the National Environmental Protection Act of 2007; (ii) revision of environmental codes of practices and guidelines and development of new codes of practice for emerging sectors to facilitate implementation of Environmental Assessment Act of 2000; (iii) Improving capacity and skills for decentralization of environmental clearance, enforcement and monitoring and training of in-country trainers; and (iv) enhancing public participation in the environmental assessment and review process. The results would be measured by the following outcomes: # Increase in number of new and revised regulations for improving the management of environmental impacts of development activities # Increase in number of new and revised guidelines, codes of environmental practice and standards for addressing environmental impacts in key development sectors # Increase in number of in-country trainers and trained personnel for environmental assessment review, approval, enforcement and monitoring # at least 20% of environmental assessments conducted have adequate public participation The Grant will assist the Royal Government of Bhutan to enhance its policies, legislation, human resource capacity and skills, knowledge and public participation in improving its environmental safeguard system. In this way, it is expected that national policies, institutions and capacities for environmental assessment implementation, oversight, enforcement and monitoring will be enhanced to international standards. This will enable a greater reliance on Bhutan's policies and Public Disclosure Copy capacities to address environmental impacts of its development programs, including donor supported development operations. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Strengthen legislation and regulatory tools for effective management of environmental impacts 252200.00 Improve capacity for management of environmental impacts of development projects 147800.00 Page 1 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR10522 Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory Public Disclosure Copy Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Implementation Status Overview Although the project got off to a slow start, the project has substantially achieved its objectives due to a concerted effort made during the last six months of the project period. The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) has been revised. A proposal to establish Regional Environment Offices to make the environmental assessment process more effective has been approved by the National Environmental Commission (NEC). A Waste Prevention and Management Act prepared under the project came into effect in April 2012. Seven sector specific guidelines and one general guideline for improving the implementation of environmental assessment policies have been completed. Interim standards for industrial emissions and discharge were revised. Revision of Regulations for Environmental Clearance of Projects (RECOP) was completed and is now harmonized with the revised EAA, National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and other relevant environmental legislation. Over 75 participants from NEC, sectoral and district agencies, and the private sector have been trained in tools for management of environmental impacts of development. Approximately 70 officials from various sector agencies, local government and corporate sector have been trained to serve as a core group of trainers in environmental clearance, enforcement and monitoring. Senior officials from NEC were exposed to international best practices in environmental management through international study tours and long term partnerships with regional and international environmental management and training institutions. The revised EAA and RECOP have new provisions for improved public participation in the environmental assessment process. The project disbursed 100% of the proceeds of the grant by project closure. Locations No Location data has been entered Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Regulations for Implementation of National Text Value Current EA Act does not take Environmental Assessment Revised EAA endorsed by Public Disclosure Copy Environment Protection Act approved into consideration of NEPA Act (EAA) revised to NEC needs incorporate NEPA considerations and endorsed by NEC. Date 05-Jun-2008 31-May-2012 05-Jun-2012 Comments Page 2 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR10522 Regulations for Environmental Clearance of Text Value Current RECOP outdated RECOP revised and Revised RECOP approved projects (RECOP) developed and applied in needs updating harmonized with EAA, NEPA and applied in Environmental Environmental permitting process and other relevant permitting process environmental legislation. Public Disclosure Copy Endorsed by NEC. Date 05-Jun-2008 31-May-2012 05-Jun-2012 Comments New and revised codes of practice and and Text Value Ten codes of practice and Revised guidelines prepared Eight revised environmental environmental guidelines developed guidelines available but needs for 7 sectors and 1 general codes of practice developed updating to build on environmental guideline. The and approved. experiences sectors are hydropower, power transmission lines, forestry, tourism, urban development, mines, industries and roads and highways. The revised guidelines have been endorsed by NEC. Date 05-Jun-2008 31-May-2012 05-Jun-2012 Comments Data on Financial Performance (as of 27-Dec-2012) Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P111160 TF-92089 Closed 05-Jun-2008 05-Jun-2008 05-Jun-2008 05-Jun-2011 05-Jun-2012 Disbursements Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P111160 TF-92089 Closed USD 0.40 0.40 0.00 0.40 0.00 100.00 Public Disclosure Copy Disbursement Graph Page 3 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR10522 Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation The project objectives were substantially achieved and 100% of the Grant proceeds was disbursed at project closure. Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Page 4 of 4