(Le français suit)

In March, the Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly gathered in Nairobi bringing together member states, stakeholders, civil society, and businesses to address key policies affecting climate change and environmental challenges.

In concert with UNEA5, Canada’s new Climate Action in Africa (CAA) project hosted a local reception at the High Commissioner of Canada to Kenya’s residence highlighting how this five-year project aims to help support Sub-Saharan Africa address climate action.

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, (CAA) will deploy experts providing short-term technical assistance on a demand-driven basis. CAA will be implemented by Alinea International in partnership with Econoler and WSP and responds to climate change across four pillars: Climate Change Governance Capacity, Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation and Women’s Participation and leadership in Climate Action.

“The project is unique in that it provides support, mostly up to the value of $300,0000 per engagement, to a variety of organizations,” explained CAA Project Manager, Gioconda Ortega Alarie. “Not just government, but also non-governmental organizations, academia and even the private sector.”

High Commissioner of Canada to Kenya, David Da Silva, hoste a local reception for Climate Action in Africa at the High Commissioner’s residence

Support provided by CAA will be demand-driven and based on support identified at the local level. The application process was created to focus on rapid mobilization to ensure that support is timely and relevant. Engagements are required to align with government policies and strategies under the Paris Agreement but there are no government approvals or endorsements required.

“Overall, the CAA project will catalyse climate action by those countries, organizations and communities on the frontline of implementation of the Paris Agreement in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

In addition to providing technical assistance, CAA will facilitate South-South collaboration which will focus on learning and exchanging experiences across the continent of Africa.

L’action climatique du Canada en Afrique soutiendra l’action climatique en Afrique sub-saharienne.

En mars, la cinquième session de l’Assemblée des Nations Unies pour l’environnement s’est réunie à Nairobi. Elle a rassemblé les États membres, les parties prenantes, la société civile et les entreprises afin d’aborder les principales politiques touchant le changement climatique et les défis environnementaux.

Dans le cadre de la cinquième session de l’Assemblée des Nations Unies pour l’environnement, le nouveau projet canadien Action Climatique en Afrique (ACA) a organisé une réception locale à la résidence du Haut-commissaire du Canada au Kenya pour souligner comment ce projet quinquennal vise à aider l’Afrique subsaharienne à prendre des mesures en faveur du climat.

Financé par Affaires mondiales Canada, (ACA) déploiera des experts qui fourniront une assistance technique à court terme en fonction de la demande. L’ACA sera mis en œuvre par Alinea International en partenariat avec Econoler et WSP et répondra aux changements climatiques à travers quatre piliers : La capacité de gouvernance du changement climatique, l’atténuation du changement climatique, l’adaptation au changement climatique et la participation et le leadership des femmes dans l’action climatique.

L’équipe de projet sur l’Action Climatique en Afrique a participé à l’UNEA5 à Nairobi, Kenya.

“Le projet est unique en ce sens qu’il fournit un soutien, la plupart du temps jusqu’à une valeur de 300 000 $ par engagement, à une variété d’organisations “, explique Gioconda Ortega Alarie, gestionnaire de projet de l’ACA. “Pas seulement le gouvernement, mais aussi des organisations non gouvernementales, des universités et même le secteur privé.”

Le soutien fourni par l’ACA sera axé sur la demande et basé sur le soutien identifié au niveau local. Le processus de demande a été créé pour se concentrer sur une mobilisation rapide afin de garantir que le soutien est opportun et pertinent. Les engagements doivent s’aligner sur les politiques et stratégies gouvernementales dans le cadre de l’Accord de Paris, mais il n’y a pas d’approbations ou d’endossements gouvernementaux requis.

“Globalement, le projet ACA catalysera l’action climatique des pays, organisations et communautés en première ligne de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de Paris en Afrique subsaharienne.”

En plus de fournir une assistance technique, le ACA facilitera la collaboration Sud-Sud qui se concentrera sur l’apprentissage et l’échange d’expériences à travers le continent africain.

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

Click here to close window

Canada’s Climate Action in Africa supports Sub-Saharan countries to meet Paris Agreement Commitments

Archives