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Ottawa – October 24, 2024 – Global Affairs Canada have determined that the proposed Enhancing Climate Resilient Agriculture in Southern Iraq is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• Community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• FAO safeguard standards;and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

• To address land disruption, careful planning and site selection can help minimize the area of land affected by construction activities. Additionally, scheduling construction activities to minimize noise and dust generation can reduce the impact on nearby communities.
• Noise and dust should be minimized during the construction works. The contractor should prepare barriers (e.g. wooden barriers or other material) to protect the surrounding communities.
• Wildlife surveys and habitat assessments can inform the development of mitigation strategies to minimize habitat disturbance and protect sensitive species. The creation of buffer zones around the installation areas, or the creation of wildlife corridors is not necessary in this context. The creation of fences during construction would help reducing human-wildlife conflict (e.g. wild animals such as red foxes, caracals, or lizards entering the construction sites).
• Regular maintenance and inspection of PV modules will prevent leaks and malfunctions, reducing the risk of water contamination. Implementing monitoring systems to detect leaks or abnormalities would facilitate early detection and response to potential issues. In a sandy and dusty environment, the PV panels should be cleaned regularly in order to keep the PV plant efficient. To avoid contaminating the water beneath, it's important to avoid chemical cleaning products and prioritize dry cleaning methods.
• Proper waste management practices, such as recycling and proper disposal of decommissioned PV modules, will minimize environmental pollution and health hazards.
• To address visual impacts, landscaping and screening measures will be implemented to integrate PV installations into the surrounding landscape. Engaging with local communities to design and implement landscaping projects would enhance community acceptance and support for the project.
• FAO should ensure that proper support is provided to the local authority to ensure that there is no negative impact on water usage via online water meters. The project team should prepare the guidelines and share them with the plant operators and the national counterpart.
• Make workers aware of the risks associated with the use of certain products and ensure the implementation of protective measures.  Equip workers with personal protective equipment (helmets, gangs, vests, goggles, etc.) and require them to wear it to ensure their Health and Safety: everywhere on the worksite, 
• Clear guidance should be provided by FAO about responsibilities and guidelines to be followed for decommissioning the solar plants and disposal of equipment.
• During the decommissioning phase, measures should be implemented to ensure the proper closure and rehabilitation of the PV system. Developing decommissioning plans and timelines can ensure that decommissioning activities are conducted in an orderly manner. Proper waste management practices, including the recycling and disposal of decommissioned PV modules, should be followed to minimize environmental pollution.
• Land rehabilitation activities, such as revegetation and soil stabilization, can restore disturbed areas and promote ecosystem recovery. Engaging with local communities to identify appropriate rehabilitation measures and involve them in the implementation process can enhance social acceptance and support for decommissioning activities. Additionally, establishing long-term monitoring and maintenance programs can ensure the ongoing effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.

Global Affairs Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Global Affairs Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.