Environmental and Social Due Diligence of the Skeleton Coast – Etosha Conservation Bridge, Namibia

The Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF) was set up to guarantee long-term conservation funding for nature, climate, and people. The LLF sources public and private funding to finance a diverse portfolio of Protected Areas and their buffer zones, and by conserving these “legacy landscapes”, aims to protect biodiversity, promote climate resilience, and foster equitable development.

TLLG, in collaboration with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), conducted an Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) for a proposed legacy landscape, the Skeleton Coast – Etosha Conservation Bridge program in Namibia. The program, a consortium including WWF Namibia and Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) aims to establish a conservation bridge through the design and establishment of Peoples’ Parks. The ESDD assessed the environmental and social context, the potential environmental and social risks and impacts, with the aim of aligning the program approach to LLF’s Environmental and Social Management System and international standards and guidelines.

TLLG and IIED engaged with local communities and key stakeholders though focus group discussions and key informant interviews, culminating in a multi-stakeholder workshop to validate findings and further discuss socially appropriate risk management measures. An Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) was developed with the program proponents to ensure that they have a cohesive strategy and capacity to implement mitigation measures effectively.

Photo: Landscape west of Etosha National Park, Namibia

Funder: Legacy Landscapes Fund

Standard: World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and KfW Sustainability Guidelines , including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Location: Namibia

Period: January 2023 to September 2023