Capabilities:

• Environmental and Economic Policy Reform
• Finance Strategies and their Implementation (including capital development user fees, permitting, cost recovery systems)
• Eco-tourism, Cultural Tourism, and Non-Competitive Uses of the Environment
• Technical Assistance and Training in Forestry, Water, and Other Resource Management
• Knowledge Management Systems for Environmental Applications
• Training in Various Aspects of Environment and NRM

Select projects include:

Managing Environments and Strengthening Institutions Worldwide
IRG and its partners provide advisory services and technical assistance to USAID's Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade (EGAT), country missions, and regional bureaus. Through EPIQ, IRG helps decision makers in developing countries analyze, develop, and implement policy options that balance growth with environmental sustainability, thus enhancing economic development while reducing long-term threats to the global environment. IRG was the sole awardee of the EPIQ I IQC (1996-2002), under which the firm implemented $105 million in contracts in 40 countries. IRG is the prime contractor of the multiple-award EPIQ II IQC (2003-2008) that has a $250 million ceiling. The contract also helps EGAT's sustainable environmental management program, which includes natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable urban development, and sustainable energy systems. Global: Environmental Policy and Institutional Strengthening Indefinite Quantity Contract (EPIQ)

Protecting Biological Diversity in the Amazon
This IRG project is designed to build capacity and commitment across the Amazon Basin for effective stewardship of the Basin’s nationally and globally important biological diversity and environmental services. Activities focus on forging linkages between the four independent consortia by organizing meetings, supporting capacity building, and providing communications and dissemination of lessons learned. Outreach to other regional stakeholders through strengthening public-private partnerships, implementing a small grants program and promoting dialogue around policy and conservation issues are also important components implemented by IRG. South America: Amazon Basin Conservation Initiative

Conserving Biodiversity in Watersheds
This project strategically focuses resources on mitigating key threats facing the Panama Canal Watershed and improving its ability to maintain the hydrological functioning of the system, protect biodiversity, and enhance rural economic development. IRG and its partner support improved watershed management and biodiversity conservation by: assisting communities and government agencies in developing and implementing action plans for sub-watershed management; providing small grants and technical assistance to small businesses for resource management, biodiversity conservation, and community-based new enterprise development and strengthening; providing training and technical assistance to incorporate good management practices, developing business plans, and and linking small businesses to buyers and markets to support the creation of new enterprises; and strengthening the policy and institutional enabling conditions to improve environmental management in the watershed. Panama: Management of Critical Watersheds

Monitoring Environment Impacts of Combating Malaria
The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) represents an historic $1.2 billion, five-year expansion of US government resources to fight malaria in 15 high burden countries in Africa to dramatically scale up effective malaria prevention and treatment preventions. In support of the PMI, IRG is providing technical services in environmental monitoring and mitigation related to prophylactic measures used to combat malaria, like pesticides for indoor residual spraying. IRG is ensuring that environmental compliance throughout the program’s policy, procedural, and communication elements. Africa: Environmental Monitoring and Capacity Building in Vector Control Interventions (EMCAB)

Improving Pollution Management
Pollution in the waters of the El Alto - Lake Titicaca axis is destroying biodiversity and lowering the quality of health for the people in the area. Under this project, IRG is working to improve pollution management through the prevention of industrial and urban pollution and better management of the Cohana Bay watershed region. IRG has identified and monitoring key pollutants that harm Lake Titicaca’s biodiversity. Additionally, with its national partner, the Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Technology, IRG is helping the tannery, liquor and beverage, textiles, and slaughterhouses implement cleaner production technolgoies. To improve management of the Cohana Bay, IRG been working closely with indigenous leaders and communitiesto reducecontamination while developing renewable energy and organic products. Bolivia: El Alto – Lake Titicaca Pollution Management Activity