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 ENVIRONMENT 

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Integration of Human Rights and Security Standards into Environmental Governance Systems

 

Background

Our client, a conservation and nature-based solutions (NBS) organisation operating in Zambia, sought to strengthen how human rights—including security and human rights considerations—were integrated into its environmental and social governance systems. The objective was to ensure that its Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP), and conservation programme procedures more systematically identified and managed human rights risks.

Description

Over the course of the engagement, we conducted a targeted review and advisory process focused on strengthening the integration of human rights across core environmental and operational systems:

  • Review of existing systems and documentation We reviewed the client’s ESMS, human rights due diligence processes, security procedures, and grievance mechanisms to assess current coverage of human rights risks.
  • Development of a human rights policy statement We supported the formulation of a human rights policy for integration into the ESMS, aligned with international standards and the client’s operational context.
  • Integration into impact assessment processesWe reviewed and updated the Impact Assessment Protocol, providing recommendations to embed human rights considerations into ESMS implementation and decision-making processes.
  • Assessment of security governance We assessed security governance arrangements against the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) and IFC Performance Standard 4, identifying gaps and areas for strengthening.
  • Gap analysis and implementation roadmap We identified priority gaps and developed a set of practical recommendations, including a roadmap to support integration of human rights into the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

Outcome

Human rights considerations were integrated into the client’s ESMS, Livelihood Restoration Plan, and procedures for assessing conservation programmes. The ESMP was updated to include specific actions related to security and human rights, providing a more structured basis for identifying and managing risks associated with NBS operations.