Luiz Gabriel Azevedo is the Division Chief of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance at IDB Invest. He has worked with international development in some forty countries for over thirty years, focusing on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) risk management and impact investing, infrastructure development, energy, water supply and sanitation, natural resources management and agribusiness. He worked for institutions such as the World Bank, the World Wildlife Fund for Conservation – WWF, and Construtora Norberto Odebrecht. He was President and a Board Member of the Brazilian Water Resources Association (ABRHidro) and was a Board Member of the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO). He has received numerous awards including the Mosonyi Award for excellence in hydropower, for his career contribution to sustainable hydropower development. He has published numerous articles and book chapters. Mr. Azevedo is a civil engineer and holds a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in civil engineering – hydrology and water resources management from Colorado State University.
A solid corporate governance framework in agribusinesses helps with productivity, technology, regulations, product traceability, and other key elements. Well-delineated roles for family members and a qualified board help cultivate long-term strategies in the sector.
We have a unique opportunity that many other regions of the planet have not had, to drive the latest technological revolution in agribusiness with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors, and further increase profitability in a sustainable and inclusive way.
An IDB Invest poll shows nearly 60% of projects have temporarily ceased work or faced major project delays because of COVID-19. Early lessons coupled with existing best practices in public health and safety principles provide a six-step action road map to build resilience against such risks.
When dealing with policy making and project risk management, public consultations provide insightful tools to better improve lives within communities and societies. We assigned our best talent to provide solutions in this field, and now we'd like to share how we’re making things happen.
Crisis management goes beyond communications. Recent events highlight how digital technology can both strengthen and hinder any recuperation efforts.
Hydropower presents many advantages as a source of energy, even though it is often complex from the environmental and social perspective. It is based on relatively simple and robust technology, easy to adapt to different conditions. Hydropower projects have a long-term life span, often benefiting several generations. Due to its long operational life and low operation and maintenance cost, hydropower generation continues to be highly competitive. Experiences around the world provide ample evidence that proactively addressing the potential impacts of projects early in the pre-feasibility phase is a sound investment decision by developers and contractors alike. The anticipation of potential risks and the identification of opportunities to benefit communities and ecosystems beyond the mitigation of impacts can significantly reduce implementation and operation and maintenance costs. A recent study by Harvard University on the cost of social conflicts in the extractive industry shows that companies usually do not understand and capture the full range of costs of conflicts with local communities. Costs arising from lost productivity due to temporary shutdowns or delays can escalate to millions of dollars. This is not different from what takes place with large infrastructure projects such as hydropower. Responsible development can benefit companies in at least four dimensions: 1. Social acceptance Projects that are developed considering the concerns and expectations of communities and that obtain a “social license to operate” are less prone to face social unrests, protests, or labor related challenges, such as strikes, invasions and vandalism to job sites and equipment. This, in turn, translates into lower costs and opportunities to build win-win alternatives in which both the private sector and communities benefit from the implementation of projects. 2. Reduction of administrative and legal processes Adequate treatment of social and environmental issues significantly reduces administrative and judicial processes that often hinder the implementation of projects and account for significant cost increases. Disputes over compensation, land expropriation, involuntary resettlement, or general mitigation of social impacts can drag on for years, generating direct costs as well as reputational impacts to companies and projects. 3. Financing alternatives Adequate identification of management of environmental and social risks can be directly linked to a wider range of alternatives, incentives, and better terms for financing projects. This can bring substantial upsides, like lower cost of capital to support the implementation of hydropower projects. 4. Reputational gains Positive image and corporate credibility resulting from responsible implementation of a project goes far beyond regional or sector specific benefits. Companies that are recognized as sustainability leaders are able to attract and retain talent, establish long term partnerships with privates, communities and NGOs, and expand involvement in different sectors, amongst others. The current scenario with increasing pressure for water, energy and food supplies, and the uncertainties associated with climate change, make the tangible benefits of hydropower greater than ever before. This represents challenges as well as opportunities for the development of sustainable hydropower projects. Accessing the full range of benefits that can be derived from hydropower requires responsible development of projects. At IDB Invest (formerly known as Inter-American Investment Corporation) we are supporting the implementation of hydropower projects such as Chaglla in Peru and Reventazon in Costa Rica that have been listed in a recent study as examples of best international practices. We will continue to partner with institutions and support projects that provide lessons and contribute to the sustainable development of countries in Latin America. [gallery type="slideshow" size="large" link="none" ids="8082,8083,8084,8085,8087,8088,8089,8090,8091,8092,8093,8095,8096,8098"] Subscribe to receive more content like this! [mc4wp_form]