Training Programme on Environmental and Social Risk Assessment in Project Financing

19?20 May 2016

A two-day training programme on Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Assessment in Project Financing was conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, India, in collaboration with the IIM Kashipur and the World Bank Group. There were 55 participants from various banks, financial agencies, rating agencies, government organizations, and NGOs who were trained during the programme. The objective of this two-day training programme was to build capacity of the participants in identifying environmental and social risks associated with projects, the impact of such risks on ‘financing’, and ways in which project lenders can avoid unwanted delays and financial burdens by identifying and addressing these risks in a timely manner.

Chandra Bhushan (Deputy Director General, CSE) chaired the inaugural session with a welcome address. In his address, he spoke about CSE and highlighted the aim of the training and why it is necessary for the officials of banks and financial institutions. This was followed by two presentations titled ‘Brief overview on Environmental Clearance process and international best practices in project financing’ and ‘Applicable Acts, Rules and Guidelines for E&S risk management in project financing’ respectively. Both presentations were delivered by Sujit Kumar Singh (Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment). The first presentation of the post-lunch session was from Rajnish Kadambar (Director, Environment Risk, IDFC) who presented on two topics, ‘E&S Risk Assessment in project financing—IDFC Bank’ and ‘E&S Risk Assessment—A case study of highway project’ respectively. This was followed by the last presentation of the day that was on ‘E & S Risks Assessment—A case study from Kalinga Nagar Steel Plan’ by R.P. Sharma (Consulting Advisor, CSE and NABET Assessors) and a class exercise and group presentation on the same conducted jointly by R.P. Sharma and Sujit Kumar Singh.

Day two started with a presentation on ‘E&S Risk Assessment—A Case Study of Rampur Hydro Power project’ by Digvijay Singh Bisht, followed by a presentation by Anil Kumar Singh (WWF), who presented on the topic of ‘Biodiversity Assessment—Case studies from linear projects (Railways)’. The first presentation in the post-tea session was delivered by Chandan Bhavnani (VP, Responsible Banking, Yes Bank) and his presentation was titled ‘E&S Risk Assessment—A case study for Steel Industry’. R.P. Sharma and Sujit Kumar Singh delivered a presentation on ‘E&S Risk Assessment—A case study from thermal power plant’ followed by a class exercise and group presentation on the same, conducted post-lunch. Following the class exercise, Sujit Kumar Singh presented on the topic titled ‘E&S Risk Assessment—A case study of Gare IV/6 Coal Mining Project’. Sangeet Shukla (Former Deputy Managing Director, State Bank of India) took the post-tea session and presented on the topic of ‘Way Forward for Indian Banking Sector’. 

The final session of the day was chaired by Chandra Bhushan, R.P. Sharma, Sangeet Shukla and Gurnam Singh (Former General Manager, State Bank of Patiala). This session focused on getting feedback from the participants with regard to how beneficial the training was and ways in which it can be further improved. That was followed by certificate distribution and final word of thanks to all the speakers and participants from Mr Bhushan.