ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION
Applicable Policy and Categorization: AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), comprising the Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), and Environmental and Social Exclusion List (ESEL), applies to all components of the Baku Metro Expansion Project – Phase I (the “Project”). The Project triggers ESS 1 (Environmental and Social Assessment and Management) and ESS 2 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement). ESS 3 (Indigenous Peoples) is not applicable, as there are no Indigenous Peoples or ethnic groups residing in the Project area and/or affected by the Project. Based on the nature, scale and location of the works, including the construction and equipping of two depots, the Project is classified as Category B, reflecting moderate, site-specific and manageable environmental and social (ES) risks and impacts, which can be mitigated through standard management measures and using good practice in an operational setting.
Environmental and Social Instruments: Given that detailed designs and locations for the depots are confirmed, and that specific interventions at the 10 existing stations will be further detailed during implementation, both site-specific and framework-level ES instruments have been prepared. These include the ES Management Plans (ESMPs), and the ES Action Plan (ESAP). For the 10 existing stations, ES Screening will be completed prior to loan negotiations. Based on the findings, site-specific ES instruments (ESMPs, ESAPs, etc.) will also be prepared before the start of bidding works. The preparation and implementation of ES instruments will be included in the Project’s loan agreement. In addition, ES instruments at the Framework level include the ES Management Planning Framework, the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Planning Framework.
Environmental Aspects: The Project will generate considerable environmental benefits by promoting low-emission public transport, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing the operational safety and energy efficiency of the Baku Metro. However, construction activities at the Darnagul and Khojasan depots and improvement of the 10 existing stations may cause temporary and localized impacts, including: (a) air emissions and dust during excavation and material transport; (b) noise and vibration from construction machinery; (c) waste generation and handling of construction debris; (d) risks of soil or water contamination from fuel, lubricants and wastewater; and (e) occupational and community health and safety risks. Both depot sites are in semi-urban areas within land owned and demarcated by Baku Metro. Thus, site-specific ESMPs have been prepared to address potential impacts through good international industry practice, including measures for dust suppression, noise control, waste and spill management, safe traffic routing and restoration of community access during works.
Social and Gender Aspects: The Project will yield significant social benefits, notably enhanced urban mobility, reduced travel times, improved accessibility (including for persons with disabilities). It also contributes to low-carbon economic growth. Potential social risks include temporary economic disruption to small businesses located near work sites, community safety risks from construction traffic and gender-based risks associated with the labor influx. No physical resettlement or land acquisition is expected, as both depots are on existing Baku Metro property and free of legacy land issues. In addition to ESMPs, an ESAP has been developed to monitor and manage ES risks and impacts, complemented by a Gender Action Plan that promotes inclusive access, women’s participation in consultations, gender-sensitive design and prevention of sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Labor and Working Conditions: Construction activities involve typical OHS risks, such as working at a height and/or confined space, exposure to dust and noise, operation of heavy machinery, etc. The Labor Management Procedure (LMP) establishes requirements for: safe working conditions and provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (including gender-appropriate equipment), regular OHS and emergency response training, worker grievance mechanism, non-discrimination and equal opportunity policies and compliance with national labor laws and international standards.
Stakeholder Consultation and Information Disclosure: During the screening of impacts and the preparation of ES instruments, consultations were held with relevant government agencies, metro employees, local communities and transport users as part of stakeholder engagement. Consultations focused on anticipated construction impacts, access restrictions, safety measures, community health and safety and grievance redress mechanism. A SEP was prepared to guide continuous engagement throughout implementation, emphasizing the inclusion of vulnerable and gender-differentiated groups. Draft framework-level and site-specific ES documents will be disclosed by Baku Metro and AIIB in a timely and appropriate manner. A summary of ES instruments in the appropriate local language will be made available at public-access areas at the Project sites.
Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): The Project will implement a locally based, accessible, and free GRM to enable project-affected people to raise concerns and obtain timely resolutions. Multiple reporting channels will be available, including a hotline/WhatsApp number and in-person submissions at the Project Implementing Unit (PIU) desk. A separate worker GRM, established under the LMP, will be available at contractor sites. Information on established GRM and AIIB’s Project-Affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) will be disclosed in a timely and appropriate manner.
Monitoring and Reporting Arrangements: The Baku Metro PIU will be responsible for ES implementation, monitoring and reporting, supported by qualified ES specialists and an independent ES consultant. Semi-annual ES performance reports will be submitted to AIIB for review, covering implementation progress and status of ES mitigation measures, stakeholder engagement, grievances and incident management. AIIB will conduct supervision missions twice a year, including field visits to the depots and selected station sites. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management will ensure that ES performance remains in compliance with AIIB’s ESF throughout the Project lifecycle.
