Assessment of biodiversity and habitats based on international EBRD standards

Financing was requested from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for a port infrastructure developmentproject on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, near Nador. Following a detailed review of the EIA conducted in 2014, the EBRD considered that the sections relating to the description and assessment of terrestrial biodiversity on the project site are not as robust as the sections on marine biodiversity. This is why it was decided to develop a detailed assessment of terrestrial biodiversity on the project site.

For this mission, we conducted an assessment study of habitat biodiversity based on the EBRD’s international standards, proposed appropriate measures, evaluated biodiversity issues, identified alternatives and described potential impacts. We also proposed avoidance, reduction and/or compensation measures for impacts on the environment.