Environmental Cooperation - Asia Clean Development and Climate Program (ECO-Asia CDCP), 2006-2011

The downside of Asia’s economic growth over the past several years has been the region’s increasing its share of activities that contribute to global climate change. The USAID-funded Asia Clean Development and Climate Program (ECO-Asia CDCP) promotes regional policies and market transformations in Asia that encourage investment in clean energy technologies while addressing Asia’s economic productivity, energy security, and environmental challenges. With activities in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, IRG is taking a regional approach to solving problems by sharing information, demonstrating solutions, and building partnerships with the private sector and civil society. IRG’s work focuses on three priority sectors: supply-side energy efficiency (coal fired power plants), demand-side energy efficiency (compact fluorescent lamps – CFLs), and financing for clean energy projects.

Blue Revolution Initiative – Regional Water Management Benchmarking in the Middle East North Africa Region, 2008-2010

Population and income growth, and accompanying increases in demand for water are placing growing pressure on the limited water resources of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In this context, the IRG team is designing and implementing a regional water governance benchmarking system – a strategic framework and a set of yardsticks to evaluate national water management institutions, mechanisms and processes, and to assist in defining objectives and targets for better water management and policy making. IRG’s approach assists MENA water policy makers and donors develop and employ a strategic framework to assess legal, institutional, and policy structures for water management; integrate social, economic, and environmental considerations into national water master plans; establish and build capacity to define and monitor benchmarks; identify standards to evaluate water services delivery; and provide a water management vision that stresses efficiency, participation, equity, and sustainability.

Lead Program Integrator for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System
(2005-2007)

IRG supported UNDP's Energy and Atmosphere Programme and the World Bank's Asia Alternative Energy Program (ASTAE), which assists countries in Asia in promoting alternative energy (renewable and efficient) development. IRG provided technical assistance to leverage and support ASTAE's operational work program in South Asia and East Asia regions. IRG provided ASTAE with two project-dedicated staff seconded to World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC. In addition, IRG experts provided short-term technical assistance supporting World Bank preparation and appraisal missions, conducted reconnaissance activities, and analytical and advisory activities such as program evaluation, feasibility studies, and legal, regulatory and policy reviews of proposed operational activities. As a result of direct support from IRG, ASTAE developed a portfolio of over $500 million in alternative energy loans. Additionally, IRG developed an intimate knowledge of the World Bank's lending program for the energy sector in Asia.

IRG is developing the capacity of the Afghan Government to provide its people with clean, renewable, and affordable energy on a national scale. Through the Afghanistan Clean Energy Program (ACEP), IRG is fostering energy independence and development through increased use of renewable energy resources and technical assistance to the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) and Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD). The project also promotes energy efficiency by implementing a detailed national power sector assessment and providing equipment and energy audits. Through its various educational and training components, the program will benefit approximately 500 engineers and/or technicians, bolster the government’s ability to supervise and manage the electrical system, and provide on-the-job training to engineers from MEW and MRRD. In addition, IRG is working in Afghanistan to rehabilitate and build greenfield hydropower, solar, wind, and hybrid power systems, ultimately reaching over a million Afghans. An integrated communications plan is building Afghan ownership of program activities and assets with messages focused on the benefits of energy efficiency.  

Although Bangladesh is rich in natural resources, policy and governance missteps are contributing to a looming ecological crisis for its forests and wetlands. Under IPAC, IRG is supporting the Government of Bangladesh to promote and institutionalize a nationwide integrated protected area (PA) co-management system – called the Nishorgo Network – as it develops and supports a countrywide network of PAs run in partnership with rural local communities and the national and local governments. The project’s efforts in sustainable natural resources management and biodiversity conservation are promoting the goals of equitable economic growth and good environmental governance.

IRG developed a working model of co-management that was feasible for government and community interests and met development and conservation needs. Both real impacts and the eventual replication of a co-management model depended on an ability to address the challenges using an integrated, multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional approach. IRG also implemented a public awareness campaign that informed public opinion about the importance of biodiversity conservation, outdoor recreation and ecotourism, vital environmental services, and the rationale for a co-management approach. IRG examined the immediate needs and means for enhancing the capacity of the Forest Department and local officials to ensure the integrity of the targeted protected areas.

USAID

Intended to provide assistance in rehabilitation, livelihood, and rebuilding of economic and social infrastructure in the Aceh and North Sumatra provinces damaged by the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami, the Road/Bridge reconstruction is USAID's "signature" contribution to the Aceh disaster relief effort. This west coast highway is crucial to economic growth in the region, as well as infrastructure and environmental services. IRG, as a major subcontractor on this project, will take the lead in developing communications and outreach, as well as consulting on environmental compliance and management and select training on road operations and maintenance.

IRG provided immediate short-term disaster relief assistance through the distribution of food and non-food aid to disaster-stricken areas in Iraq. IRG specialists provided translation and interpreting expertise to the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), and acquainted them with the social, political, and economic issues of the area and of team operations in Iraq. They also established storage facilities, handled field logistics and transportation needs, and helped relief teams relate with local communities in the development of rehabilitation projects.

USAID

The ISSP program provides a very wide-ranging programmatic approach to Jordan’s entire water sector. It is intended to be adaptable to meet evolving needs, and addresses institutional needs and weaknesses to meet stated objectives. IRG solicits input through consultations with key water sector institutions on defining needs and areas requiring support and strengthening. IRG also provides technical assistance and advice, working closely with institutional counterparts of the water sector as advisors to build their management skills. A priority activity is the urgent need for a complete water valuation study. A second larger and more encompassing project aim is to define and then implement the steps needed to restructure and strengthen water sector institutions.

USAID

In conjunction with the Water Authority of Jordan and local authorities, IRG and its team carried out feasibility studies to select sites for pilot activities and determined appropriate treatment and reuse technologies, performed environmental impact assessments, prepared documents for competitive tenders, and assisted with evaluation of bids. The IRG team is now supervising construction of facilities, and engaging with local and central government authorities on arrangements for operations and maintenance, including development of institutional arrangements and cost recovery mechanisms. Concurrently, the IRG team is providing training in operations and preparing manuals for that purpose. In the initial stages of operations, we are monitoring the quality of treated effluents to assure that the treatment facilities are operating as designed and that the effluents are suitable for their intended purposes.

USAID

Under this contract, IRG provides quick-response programmatic and operational support in Kyrgyzstan to the USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). The Kyrgyz Republic Transition Initiative (KRTI) was launched in response to political crises in Kyrgyzstan after popular demonstrations in April 2010 led to the ouster of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the creation of a provisional government comprising an ad-hoc coalition of opposition political parties. USAID/OTI recognized a window of opportunity to support conflict mitigation and stabilization efforts and help establish transparent, accountable, and effective governance at both the national and local levels. With new presidential and local elections scheduled to occur in October 2011, KRCBI is helping the people of Kyrgyzstan to consolidate democratic governance and ensure social and political stability for the future. IRG generates small grants to civil society, government, and private sector partners to implement high-impact, collaborative, short-term projects in volatile communities. This targeted assistance supports the country’s efforts to establish a more stable and secure democracy, while addressing emerging sources of instability and drivers of conflict at the community level. IRG generates small grants to civil society, government, and private sector partners to implement high-impact, collaborative, short-term projects in volatile communities. This targeted assistance supports the country’s efforts to establish a more stable and secure democracy, while addressing emerging sources of instability and drivers of conflict at the community level.

USAID

IRG is applying the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management through a single river basin authority, the Litani River Authority (LRA), and providing technical assistance and commodities to increase the capabilities of LRA to conduct integrated water management in the Litani Basin. IRG will accomplish this through integrating water management on a basin-wide scale by institutional strengthening, capacity development, and training of the LRA; enhancing stakeholder involvement, especially at the municipality level; assisting LRA to improve monitoring the existing Quaraoun Dam to protect that critical structure; assisting LRA to improve monitoring and managing the surface and ground waters of the Litani Basin; and improving the agricultural practices within the basin to increase economic benefits and reduce pollution in a sustainable manner. IRG is also working to improve crop production inputs in the Litani River Basin. Meetings with farmers groups of current and potential water users associations, along with the production assessments, will be used to select pilot demonstration areas that reflect best local agronomic conditions, irrigation command areas, and grower needs. Based on these findings, IRG will help users in the pilot area develop an equitable and enforceable irrigation water distribution program, which also offers new irrigation technology designed to meet the area’s irrigation needs. Besides improving irrigation equity, IRG is also working to guide the efficient use of chemical and irrigation practices. In addition, IRG is installing modern irrigation systems (drip, sprinkler, and gated pipe) and providing new irrigation technology to Lebanese farmers in the Litani River Basin that will be purchased, installed, and demonstrated in the area. Finally, IRG is developing an improved GIS for the upper Litani River Basin. IRG performed a needs assessment that provided the basis for determining appropriate infrastructure. To provide credit to upgrade farmers’ irrigation systems, IRG is helping farmers establish credit worthiness with written market plans and cash-flow analysis.

USAID/Lebanon and Relief International

To improve livelihoods in Lebanon’s economically-deprived communities, as a subcontractor to Relief International, IRG assisted the USAID-funded project called Baladiyat in its outreach and education activities. The goal was to promote effective democratic collaboration among municipal governments, communities, and the private sector and thereby increase economic opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and interested investors. Communications staff leveraged regular community meetings with all stakeholders, driving interest with accessible signage, brochures, informational fact sheets, high-profile official site visits television, and radio shows detailing project success stories – including a new olive mill, an ecotourism site, a milk cooperative, and a tailoring business run by women. A Baladiyat web portal that links to a Facebook community and economic sector case studies, allows all stakeholders – from public and private sectors, including the Lebanese Diaspora – to learn best practices, seek training and small grants, build on others’ successes, and find fruitful business opportunities. IRG conducted studies for 18 value chains in EM-LED project regions. Each of the studies produced economic development cluster development plans. In addition, IRG designed and negotiated value chain action plans implemented through in-kind grant agreements. The grants strengthened the capacities of value chain participants to generate income and create jobs through agriculture and tourism investments.

IRG is helping Nepal attract and realize greater private sector involvement in electricity generation and increased private investment in environmentally and socially sound hydropower. The enabling environment for private investment in hydropower is being improved through a series of policy recommendations that were adopted by the Nepalese government. In addition, IRG has helped establish strict environmental guidelines and monitoring procedures to ensure compliance of hydropower development in Nepal. The project is also increasing public and private sector stakeholder understanding of the environmental, social, and economic benefits of hydropower investment. Finally, IRG is assisting the Government of Nepal in exploring and developing markets for export of electricity generated from hydropower, including drafting and negotiating long-term export purchase agreements.

USAID/Pakistan

USAID/Pakistan

Through the Pakistan Distribution Improvement Program (PDIP), IRG is supporting efforts to expand the supply of electricity and advance the operational and financial health and self-sufficiency of the entire power sector by addressing the performance of government-owned distribution companies (DISCOs). PDIP is divided into two components, with Component I consisting of the operational assessment, performance improvement planning process described above and preliminary pilot projects, and Component II consisting of implementation of the performance improvements recommended and pilot projects identified under Component I.