As part of the EBRD’s financing of the reconstruction of the Almaty International Airport (Republic of Kazakhstan), an Environmental and Social Due Diligence Assessment (to IFC and EBRD standards) was conducted in cooperation with Waterman.

The assessment covered a wide range of issues, including a detailed description of the site’s baseline conditions (both environmental and social), as well as an analysis of key indicators of past and current operations. ESDD also examined matters related to permitting status, environmental and occupational health and safety management, emergency preparedness and response, and the supervision of contractors and subcontractors.

Particular attention was paid to social aspects, as several settlements are located in the immediate vicinity of the airport, with some of them falling within the sanitary protection zone and the flight corridor. The assessment also considered issues related to the airport’s development history and aviation safety, as well as land use and labor relations.

The main types of impacts on the natural and social environment were identified, and the necessary measures to minimize these impacts were determined. In addition, key material issues and risks associated with the facility’s operations and environmental pollution were highlighted, which needed to be taken into account when deciding on Project financing.