The primary objective of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is to provide a structured process for screening, assessing, addressing, and managing environmental and social safeguard issues for project components and sub-components whose exact locations are yet to be determined. The ESMF also offers guidance to project staff and stakeholders on implementing sustainable environmental and social management practices.
Specifically, the ESMF aims to:
- Outline the components of the proposed DMAP.
- Recommend environmental and social screening processes for project sites and sub-project activities.
- Review the environmental and social policies and procedures of the Government of Malawi in relation to DMAP implementation.
- Identify potential impacts, propose mitigation measures, and assign roles and responsibilities for implementation.
- Recommend appropriate capacity-building initiatives and budget allocations for environmental and social safeguards and monitoring.