ID: 1584
Presenting Author: ALEJANDRA PLATA
Session: 652 - EA in Latin America: Bridging Infrastructure and Communities for Sustainable Development
Status: pending
Meaningful participation and access to information are human rights essential to democratic environmental governance. This paper presents practical ways to integrate these rights into ESIA processes f
In many development-projects, environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) are treated as technical exercises rather than democratic processes. This presentation argues that meaningful participation and access to information are essential human rights and critical for enhancing the legitimacy, equity, and sustainability of environmental governance. Drawing on multi-year consultancy experience with corporates, multilateral banks and communities, I examine key failures in practice: limited disclosure of information, public meetings that are superficially convened, dominant voices crowding out vulnerable stakeholders, and a lack of transparent mechanisms for monitoring commitments. I analyse how these failures lead to adverse human rights outcomes (e.g., lack of redress, exclusion of Indigenous and local communities, inequitable benefit-sharing) and undermine trust in institutions. The paper proposes a practical framework to integrate participatory design, accessible information flows, real stakeholder dialogue and iterative review in ESIA processes, aligned with the performance standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and good international practice. By presenting case examples and lessons learned, I highlight how strengthening participation and transparency can bridge the gap between procedural compliance and substantive rights-based outcomes. Attendees will gain actionable guidance to design ESIA processes that are more inclusive, rights-respecting and effective in delivering sustainable development.
Sustainability advisor and social consultant on human rights and IFC standards, helping companies and development banks strengthen inclusive, rights-based environmental practices.