ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

Environmental sustainability has been an Agriteam priority since inception. We use an integrated approach to address environmental sustainability considerations in all initiatives to safeguard or enhance development results and the environment.

We are also working with governments and communities to adapt to and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, and empower them to participate in building the resilience of their communities.

OUR EXPERTISE INCLUDES:

Environmental analyses, environmental impact assessments, environmental risk assessment and management
Environmental regulatory and management frameworks, practices and policies
Environmental education and participation in policy making and implementation
Environmental governance for extractives industries
Climate-smart agriculture
Sustainable water and soil management
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
Management of waste and effluent
Climate change adaptation and mitigation

Agriteam promotes enviromental sustainability and looks for innovative ways to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

OUR ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS

NICARAGUA: Monitoring and Evaluation of the PIMCHAS Integrated Management of Watersheds Project (Global Affairs Canada, 2009-2011)

Agriteam conducted periodic monitoring and a mid-term evaluation of a project run in consortia by CARE Canada, Tecsult and the University of British Columbia, who were working with municipal governments to develop community capacity to protect and restore environmentally sensitive areas. The project supported management of natural resources in a sustainable manner that created economic dividends for residents. Agriteam’s consultant established a participatory monitoring process, and advised CARE on strategies, approaches and project focus.

REGIONAL AFRICA: Canadian Facilitation for the Congo Basin Forests Partnership (Global Affairs Canada, 2010-2012)

The Congo Basin Forests Partnership (CBFP) – which includes Canada – is an association of 53 governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with the purpose of strengthening partner coordination in conservation and sustainable management of Central Africa’s forest ecosystems. Agriteam was contracted for two years to coordinate and facilitate activities related to the CBFP; to maintain and strengthen the vitality of CBFP’s regional cooperation; pursue dialogue among members; help develop and update the CBFP roadmap so that partners’ activities were better harmonized; and promote CBFP to the international community.

AFGHANISTAN: Panjwayi Drainage, Irrigation and Water Governance Systems Assessment (Global Affairs Canada, 2010-2011)

Through the Agriteam-led process of review, consultation and surveying, this assessment identified potential opportunities to improve a partially-built drainage system, an irrigation system and Mirab and water governance systems in Panjwayi District. The drainage canal design and construction had been hampered by the heavily-salinized soils of the region. The assignment included baseline surveys and data collection, and resulted in an Assessment Report of Needed Drainage and Flood Control Elements as well as an Assessment Report of Needed Irrigation System Improvement and Rehabilitation Requirement.

AFGHANISTAN: Kandahar Village Stabilization Project (KVSP) (Global Affairs Canada, 2010-2011)

KVSP Phase II is an extension of the Pilot Afghan Village Development Project, Phase I which ended in September 2010. Phase II aimed to improve livelihoods in selected villages, enhance local governance and establish hope for affected communities through several initiatives, such as rehabilitation of irrigation structures; provision of drinking water; vocational training; strengthening of agricultural production techniques; creation of market opportunities from the processing of agricultural commodities (e.g. fruit juices); and meeting community demands for services, such as electric lighting in mosques. Agriteam undertook initial environmental assessments and follow-up reviews to determine the sustainability and long-term environmental degradation associated with well-water drilling, irrigation and agricultural projects and incorporated Afghan-specific environmental considerations across all project activities. The project team provided water systems, irrigation and agricultural technical assistance to Afghan partners including training on environmental sustainability assessment best practice and effective methods of implementing social development plans premised on environmental stewardship as a principle ensuring long-term socio-economic development.

CHINA: Monitoring and Evaluation of Gansu & Xinjiang Pastoral Development Projects (World Bank, 2003-2009)

Together with Gansu Agricultural University and Xinjiang Agricultural University, Agriteam was contracted to establish a multi-year Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for a USD $78M agriculture program funded by the World Bank and the Global Environment Fund. The program promoted sustainable resource management and community economic development by strengthening livestock production and government marketing systems that would increase the income of local herders and farmers in 43 counties across Gansu and Xinjian provinces in China. Agriteam’s consultants led two expert M&E teams to complete surveys, interview stakeholders, gather data and analyze the results. Each team included specialists in livestock management, grassland ecology and management, biodiversity, community pasture management, social sciences, hydrology, and management information systems. Agriteam developed a comprehensive M&E Program Framework designed to allow for a continuous assessment of program impact and outcomes. Agriteam also trained Provincial Project Management Offices and County Project Management Offices in charge of data collection and program evaluation. During implementation, Agriteam guided the design of data collection tools and surveys, managed data collection activities, and provided continuous M&E technical support to government officials and the two Agricultural Universities.

CHINA: Inner Mongolia Biodiversity Conservation & Community Development Project (Global Affairs Canada, January 2001 – January 2005)

This project promoted environmentally sustainable development in China by increasing the capacity of Chinese government institutions and agencies in protected area management, biodiversity protection, and promotion of sustainable community development, especially among ethnic minorities. It achieved strengthened technical capacity of government bodies and personnel in three Nature Reserves in Inner Mongolia, building capacity in the use of geographic information systems and monitoring of vegetative conditions using tools such as remote sensing for land use. Three Environmental Education Centres were also developed by the project, located in Dalinor, Wuhai and West Erdos.

CHINA: Capacity and Strategic Environmental Assessment, Public Sector Reform Project (Global Affairs Canada, 1999-2004)

As part of the larger Public Sector Reform Project, Agriteam monitored the sustainability of 13 sub-projects implemented by Canadian implementing partners and their Chinese counterparts by employing environmental assessment methodologies to the M&E process. The team developed sustainability guidelines focused on environmental impacts in collaboration with the implementing partners and conducted reviews and assessments of project activities at regular intervals to ensure environmental concerns were meaningfully integrated into project activities and project management operations.

SRI LANKA: Institutional Strengthening for Comprehensive Water Resources Management (Asian Development Bank, 1996-1998)

Agriteam provided support to the Government of Sri Lanka to establish an improved institutional framework for water sector operations. The project goal was to improve water resources management for all subsector uses throughout the country in support of sustainable socio-economic development. The project’s Action Plan involved five major sub-components: development of a national water resource policy; development of a National Water Act and regulations; strengthening of water sector institutions, including development of a long-term sector coordination mechanism, sector organization recommendations, and strengthening of water agency management; development of a sector information management strategy; and development of a national procedure for comprehensive river basin planning. Agriteam’s Technical Advisor provided ongoing technical advice, which included: monitoring Action Plan implementation; establishing and supporting the national Water Resources Council and Water Resources Secretariat; providing support in all areas of the Action Plan; preparing the project’s training and capacity building program; assisting in the preparation of terms of reference and in the selection of project short-term consultants; and developing linkages with other water sector projects and relevant institutions in Sri Lanka.

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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.

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