This is a Category B project, according to IFC’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy (2012). Based on information reviewed during the appraisal, it is expected to have limited adverse environmental and social risks and impacts that are few in number, short-term and site-specific, and can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to recognized performance standards, procedures, guidelines and design criteria as described in the following sections.

Key E&S issues associated with the project include: adequacy of Intel vision’s environmental and social management system; the company’s capacity to assess and manage E&S risks and issues associated with the expected surge in construction, cable-laying and operations; provision of fair labor and working conditions for employees and contractors alike including on occupational health and safety, grievance management, gender-based violence and equal opportunity; hazardous material, waste and wastewater management, both on and off-shore; security management, and the company’s stakeholder engagement activities.

The deep-water international cable laying results in minimal impact as there will be no interference with fishing activities and minimal disturbance to wildlife. Avoiding direct impacts on seagrass, coral reefs and fishermen will be the basis of final ROW selection during the Marine Survey of shallow water. An ESIA will be conducted to identify, assess and mitigate significant impacts to shallow water or terrestrial habitats or resources. Given the alignment of the submarine cable is still to be defined, implementation of the mitigation hierarchy will ensure that impacts are minimized and anticipated to be manageable to ensure compliance with PS requirements. The final ESIA report will be disclosed by IFC after completion of studies under ESAP #2.