Analysis of Biodiversity and Technical Support for the Preservation and Restoration of Tropical Forests and Biological Diversity

Client – Chemonics International INC (USAID)
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2008
Time – 3 months

Verde Azul carried out an evaluation of:

(1) the current status of biodiversity and forest conservation in Mozambique;

(2) the actions needed in Mozambique to conserve tropical forests and biological diversity, and;

(3) the extent to which the proposed actions for USAID / Mozambique support respond or could respond to needs.

The assessment was intended to serve as a planning tool for USAID / Mozambique and a step towards integrating environmental issues into its existing programs and proposals (integration).

Verde Azul has committed to provide:

1) logistical assistance;

2) coastal context / knowledge for site visits;

3) Report on the institutional environment in Mozambique, as well as entry to a country profile in four areas:

• mapping and evaluation of the physical environment, land use and the current state of biodiversity and forest resources and the causes of agriculture- land degradation and actions needed for the future;
• current assessment of the local economy and prospects for potential growth over the short and medium term;
• existing and planned legal institutional environment – government, Ministry of Environment, NGOs and donor programs, including a brief assessment of the effectiveness, strengths and weaknesses of existing institutions;
• activities that contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

Environmental and Sustainability Standards for Offices

Client – British High Commission
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2008
Time – 1 month

Verde Azul provided a methodology to establish a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability standards at the British High Commission office in Mozambique and for environmental assessments, where its specific consultancy objectives were:

1. Assess and analyze the following areas of environmental impact:
   a) Paper and other consumables (Sourcing, reuse and recycling);
   b) Energy (Sourcing and utilization);
   c) Transport and composition of fossil fuels;
   d) Water and energy. Waste management (including composting and recycling);
2. Assess awareness of environmental issues (institution and staff) and the mission’s ability to mitigate environmental impacts. This included a methodology for regular carbon audits of the office and projects financed by the High Commission;
3. Review the policies and guidelines of the three organizations to ensure that the strategies, policies and recommendations produced by the audits.

Elaboration of a Project for the Creation and Maintenance of Cemetery Areas in Maputo

Client – SEED
Location – Maputo City – Mozambique
Year – 2008
Time – 9 months

Verde Azul prepared and launched a tender to hire a consulting company that could implement measures to mitigate social and environmental impacts in two areas of the cemetery in Maputo City.

The services were designed in four phases:

• First phase: collection of information, characterizations and preliminary assessments;
• Second phase: preparation of the preliminary project;
• Third phase: preparing the New Cemetery project;
• Fourth phase: preparation of the specifications and assistance for the bidding process and evaluation of proposals.

Environmental Impact and Mitigation for the Alto Ligonha – Alto Molócuè Road Project in Central Mozambique

Client – CMC – Southern Africa
Location – Mozambique
Year – 2005 – 2007
Time – 15 months

Verde Azul implemented an Environmental Mitigation Plan for the Alto Ligonha-Alto Molocué Road Project requested by CMC Southern Africa. Developed an emergency response routine in case of accidents, sewage networks, garbage collection, water supply and erosion control of open soil and areas of high slope. Verde Azul held monthly meetings with local communities to monitor complaints (social and environmental) and to provide problem solving – all integrated into the emergency plan. Verde Azul developed and implemented health and safety standards and routines and provided training to all employees in road projects in terms of safety, handling toxic materials and other pollutants.

Management Plan for the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (PNAB – 2007-2011)

Client – Ministry of Tourism / WWF Mozambique
Location – Bazaruto Archipelago – Inhambane Province
Year – 2006 – 2007
Time – 6 months

Verde Azul has prepared a new management plan for the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

The work involved seven specialized studies, including the Management Plan, which was developed and facilitated through a series of work meetings and “training” with the main decision-makers and specialized personnel from the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

Resettlement at the Maguga Dam – Swaziland

Client – Komati Basin Water Authority
Location – Swaziland
Year – 2001 – 2002
Time – 24 months

Verde Azul was hired to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the construction at the Maguga Dam in Swaziland.

This work involved evaluating outflow contributions, impact assessment, mitigation proposals, monitoring flora and fauna, baseline and public health monitoring, studies on environmental economics, a draft resettlement plan, compensation estimates and a social baseline, as well as proposals for income-generating activities for affected families in the resettlement area.

This work was carried out for two years and involved more than 60 professionals.

Environmental and Economic Impact in the Incomáti River Basin

Client – Incomáti Basin Management – Tripartite Commission: Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland
Location – Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland
Year – 2000 – 2001
Time – 9 months

The environmental and economic impact assessment on the Incomáti River involved international water rights.

Verde Azul was instrumental in ensuring that a Tripartite Commission was formed with strong national representation on the respective committee, in addition to Swaziland and South Africa.

Verde Azul worked as coordinator of the Mozambique team supporting the National Directorate of Water (DNA) in negotiating fair criteria for the sharing of water resources in this basin.

The environmental study team carried out a survey of the main ongoing and planned projects in the Incomati basin, which focused on the identification of socio-economic and environmental impacts, dialogue and agreement between the parties on mitigation measures, and also verified the effects cumulative probabilities across the basin-related districts.

We identified the recent real restrictions with the forecast of future opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses and presented a proposal for the allocation of water resources. The proposal included measures and systems to maintain control of environmental and social protection for communities that share these resources.

Most of the service consisted of organizing a database for the three countries, and reaching agreements on the conditions for sharing water resources in the Incomáti River basin.

Future developments in the three countries will affect the availability of water, which is an alarming situation.

Water supply is expected to fall short of expectations if the population continues to grow at the current rate of 1.8-2% per year.

The implementation of this agreement occurs as an adjustment to development, undoubtedly resorting to careful strategic planning and monitoring.