China - Renewable Energy Scale-Up Program (CRESP) Project : environmental assessment (Vol. 4 of 5) : Environmental impact assessment framework

7 Frame of Environmental Impact Assessment 7.1 Outline of Project The subprojects of the Project generally should result in minor impacts on environment and they can be mitigated by taking standard measures. As such, the overall Project belongs to the Category B project according to the World Bank's operational policy on Environmental Assessment (OP4.01). However, owing to the possibility of great differences of the subprojects in environmental issues, it is possible for some subprojects to have significant environmental issues and if evaluated on their own merit might be required by both the Government of China and the World Bank to require a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (Category A EIA). Therefore, it is not suitable to prepare a uniform environmental assessment (EA) documentation for all subprojects. The purpose of this framework EA document (Framework Document) is to be used to provide guidance for the environmental assessment process to be followed in evaluating individual subprojects that are to be considered for financial support under the overall Project. This Framework Document defines the contents, procedures and responsible authority for environmental assessment of the subprojects, whose purpose is to ensure the environmental assessment in compliance with both Chinese laws and regulations and in accordance with World Bank Environmental Assessment policies and procedures as specified in OP/ BP 4.01 (Environmental Assessment). This procedure covers the following seven aspects of preparation/construction phase and two aspects of implementation phase. Preparation/Construction Phase