UGANDA ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project in Uganda not only complies with national regulatory requirements but also adheres to international environmental and social standards, specifically the Equator Principles and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. These standards serve as a global framework to identify, assess, and manage environmental and social risks in projects. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process is used to evaluate potential adverse impacts, develop mitigation measures, and establish an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). EACOP collaborates with environmental and social experts throughout the ESIA process, ensuring compliance with national regulations and international best practices, including the IFC Performance Standards. The project engages with various stakeholders at the national, district, and local levels, including non-governmental organizations, to assess impacts and identify mitigation measures. Ongoing engagement and monitoring are conducted to capture new developments in the social landscape. Additional studies, including a critical habitat assessment, are undertaken to enhance understanding of the environmental and social elements along the pipeline route in Uganda.