Managing Social Risks and Improving Social Performance by integration and mitigation strategies.
Social Impact Assessments (SIA) involve:
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Analyzing the potential impacts of new projects on local communities and the wider society
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Developing strategies to address these issues in a pragmatic fashion
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Meeting the expectations of groups likely to affect the project's schedule or the company’s reputation
SIAs can be carried out as a separate study but more often than not are delivered as part of an integrated environmental, health and socio-economic assessment (EHSIA). The precise scope and approach of each SIA will be tailored to individual circumstances and locations.
The primary objectives of the assessment are to:
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Predict and limit adverse impacts of new developments
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Maximize positive benefits for the local communities
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Build positive relationships with communities and other stakeholders
To achieve this, we work with clients from scoping through to disclosure, and frequently provide additional and associated advice relating to resettlement, social investment, community relations management and management systems development and implementation. In addition we have often provided clients with both short and long term secondments to help level uneven workloads and provide specialist advice and support to project teams at critical points in project development.
Analysis and management of health impacts associated with new projects is as important as management of environmental and social issues. A growing recognition of good health as a basic human right means there is rising demand to understand and manage health issues associated with project development.
From HIV/Aids to clean water, health is a global priority, with growing emphasis on preventative health measures as a practical cost effective approach. Therefore Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a logical development that complements existing requirements for environmental and social impact assessments. Health risks to local communities are one of the most common but poorly understood objections to infrastructure development projects. By undertaking an HIA, developers are equipped on ways to address concerns in an informed and constructive manner.
Though a relatively new field, HIA has rapidly become an important tool in the development of plans, policies and projects combining a range of expertise to:
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Identify susceptible communities
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Ensure that potential negative and positive health outcomes are not overlooked
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Suggest a means to minimize harm and maximize health benefits
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Link environment, health & community concerns, providing a more holistic and transparent assessment
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Facilitate greater integration and co-ordination between plans, policies and projects across all sectors by identifying new opportunities to protect and improve health
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Develop an Occupational Health Management Program to guide projects
An environmental audit is useful in assessing which particular areas of your business impact on the environment, and to what extent. An audit is also an effective risk management tool enabling you to check how well you comply with environmental legislation.
An environmental audit assesses the nature and extent of harm to the environment caused by the activities, wastes or noise from your business. You can use the audit as a tool to help you:
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Assess how you can manage or influence the condition of the environment
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Prioritize what actions you can take to reduce your impact on the environment
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Demonstrate accountability to third parties such as government, customers and shareholders
Environmental audits must be independent, objective, credible and transparent in order to be successful. Audits should also be regular and ongoing, and conducted against a benchmark or initial assessment, generally detailed in your environmental plan.
We can help your company to evaluate the current practices. Please contact us on 020 2159973 or ccare@martsgroup.com