Environmental Assessment and Review Framework
Georgia: Sustainable Urban Transport Investment Program (P42414)
This document is updated (April, 2015) version of Environmental Assessment and Review Framework (EARF) for the Georgia Sustainable Urban Transport Investment Program -SUTIP (the Program). The Program was developed as the Government’s response to the transportation problems in urban areas, which include large traffic volumes causing increasing delays, as a result of previous under-investment in infrastructure maintenance and expansion.
The EARF is prepared to adequately address the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) requirements and is fully endorsed by the Georgian government. The objective of preparing this EARF is to provide a formal structure through which the environmental impacts of new and amended subprojects can be assessed and mitigated by the Executing Agency in the future, in compliance with the ADB policy.
The Program is financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under a Multi- tranche Financing Facility (MFF), and is aimed at promoting a sustainable, integrated, socially- affordable and cost-efficient urban transport system in cities of Georgia, to energize the economy and improve the quality of life of citizens. Projects will involve rehabilitation and repair of existing infrastructure (mainly roads and the underground railway), provision of new facilities (roads, tunnels, junctions, bridges, a Metro extension, etc) and capacity building.
The impact of the Investment Program is improved urban environment, local economy, and living conditions within urban areas. It will expand economic growth, create job opportunities, and improve environmental sustainability. The expected outcome is to improve the efficiency, reliability, and affordability of urban transport services in relevant cities.
Issues covered under the EARF document are:
-Assessment of legal framework and institutional capacity;
-Anticipated environmental impacts;
-Environmental assessment for projects and components;
-Consultation, disclosure and grievance redress;
-Institutional arrangements and responsibilities;
-Monitoring and reporting.
