Mulugeta Gebremariam (ELP 2024) | Lead Environmental and Climate Change Officer, Ethiopian Roads Administration, Ethiopia
When you think about road construction, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Connectivity? Wide, fast-driving highways? Economic growth? Reaching your destination quickly? Probably not environmental adversity and their consequences. At least, that was my perspective 13 years ago when I was a newly graduate looking for a job.
In June 2011, a friend encouraged me to apply for a position at the Ethiopian Roads Administration (then Ethiopian Roads Authority). The role was for a junior ecologist within the newly formed Environmental and Social Management Team (ESMT) under the Planning and Program Management Directorate, established following the commencement of the first Road Sector Development Program in 1998.
It was established due to financers’ pressure, mandating the implementation of environmental and social safeguard instruments in the road sector. After submitting my application, I underwent a written test alongside other candidates. For me, the test topics were familiar, and I successfully secured the position.
Initially uncertain about why a national road-building organization needed an ecologist instead of an engineer, I joined the Ethiopian Roads Administration. We were responsible for overseeing over 100 national roads under construction and design at the time. Our tasks included mainly monitoring project sites, reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, issuing project clearance certificates, and addressing community requests and complaints.
It was challenging for a newly graduated junior worker, but it marked the beginning of a new era in my professional life. This opportunity opened a completely new chapter, shaping my career path and leading me to where I am today.
Like any other developing country in the world, one of Ethiopia's most severe challenges is an environmental crisis that worsens its fragile economic and social conditions. This crisis, among other factors, stems from the careless use of natural resources and unplanned development driven by rapid population growth. In the past, development planning has been unwise, with little focus on environmental conservation. Consequently, we have seen significant degradation of natural resources and harm to the environment and human health over the past few decades.
Infrastructure, specifically roads, plays a vital role in socio-economic development in developing countries. Road is the dominant mode of transport in Ethiopia, accounting for 90 percent of cargo and passenger movement, and thus plays a vital role in supporting accelerated and sustained growth of the country’s economy (Ethiopian Journal of Economics. “Road Sector Development and Economic Growth in Ethiopia”). All productive sectors of the economy, the service sector, and the people dominantly rely on the availability and efficiency of our roads. Consequently, building roads efficiently and extensively is considered crucial for good governance. During election campaigns, it is normal to see candidates often promise to construct as many roads as possible to win over voters.
However, a balance between the need for additional roads and the potential negative impact on the physical and biological environment remains a significant challenge. Roads act as agents of change, capable of both benefiting and damaging the delicate balance between people and their environment. The urgency of road development and enhancing connectivity often overshadows long-term environmental considerations, leading to conflicts. Decision makers prioritize physical engineering progress for immediate economic gain, as economic losses due to environmental crises come much later. The core business of our organization is assumed construction of roads therefore environment is not in the top list of priorities of the organization. Engineering and physical target are key drivers and effectively determine how projects are implemented.
This journey has significantly shaped my perspective and commitment to environmental integration in road construction. My task has been dual: elevating environmental concerns to the highest levels of decision-making and embedding these considerations into every stage of the road-building process. To empower communities and foster accountability, we have worked diligently to disseminate information about environmental rights and regulations. This has led to increased community engagement and demands for greater participation in decision-making.
The Ethiopian Roads Administration has faced significant challenges due to legal disputes and project delays stemming from insufficient environmental and social impact mitigation. To address these issues, we have prioritized the systematic integration of environmental considerations throughout the road construction process. During the preliminary design phase, a comprehensive route selection process is undertaken. This involves evaluating multiple options, with environmental factors constituting 20% of the decision criteria. The chosen route must minimize environmental impact while considering social and economic factors.
The overarching goal of road construction is to enhance social and economic well-being. New roads provide access to markets, healthcare, and schools; reduce travel time; improve connectivity; and lower transportation costs. However, roads can also have significant negative environmental and social impacts. These include livelihood disruption, soil erosion, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and land-use changes. To mitigate these negative consequences and maximize positive impacts, a detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is conducted for the selected route before construction begins.
This rigorous analysis identifies potential environmental and social consequences. The resulting ESIA report covers project descriptions, environmental policies, relevant regulations, and potential impacts. It outlines mitigation measures and management plans for all three road construction stages: design, construction, and decommissioning. Detailed plans address environmental impact management during construction and operation. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms ensure compliance with environmental standards. The ESIA also defines the roles of different stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, and government agencies. Engaging these stakeholders, gathering their feedback, and addressing their concerns is crucial for a successful project.
By comprehensively assessing environmental and social impacts, the ESIA process ensures that road construction projects contribute to sustainable development. The ESIA process is a cornerstone of environmental management in road construction. However, it is just one component of a broader approach to environmental sustainability. Other critical methodologies and frameworks include evaluating the environmental effects of policies, plans, and programs; implementing guidelines and practices for effective environmental impact management; incorporating natural systems and processes into road planning to enhance ecosystem resilience; adhering to stipulated national and international standards and ensuring roads align with global best practices and sustainability goals.
[The blog post was published on Wikimedia Commons. Original image by Bernard Gagnon. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.]