Advisian's Dan Hunter explores the environmental licensing process in Timor-Leste and shares the lessons he's learnt from recent projects in country.

1. www.advisian.com
Navigating the Environmental
Licensing process in Timor-
Leste: plain sailing?
Daniel Hunter

2. • Timor-Leste is looking to diversify
its industries to ensure long-term
economic stability
• The country is dependent on good
management of its precious natural
resources other than oil and gas
• Enabling business environment +
sound environmental practice =
beneficial environmental and social
outcomes
• Timor-Leste is seeking to establish
best practice as the norm
Introduction

3. Category A
Scoping
EIA & IEE Preparation
Technical evaluation &
approval process
Screening
Post approval requirements
Category B Category C
Formal level of assessment set by Government
Develop and submit ToR for
Government Approval
(Public Consultation Required)
EIA Preparation & Submission of
Application
Preparation & Submission of EMP
and Application Form
EIS / EMP Preparation
& Submission
Government Technical Evaluation
/ Assessment
Government Decision /
Environmental licence granted
Impacts & benefits negotiation
& agreement i.e. offsets management
implementation plan
Environmental Licence Conditions
surveillance monitoring and reporting
Development & Submission of Project Document
Project Development
Develop and submit simplified
ToR for Government Approval
(Not formally required, but
recommended)
Simplified EIS / EMP Preparation
& Submission
Government Technical Evaluation
/ Assessment
Government Decision /
Environmental licence granted
EIS regulations in Timor-Leste (simplified)

4. • Globally significant ecosystems
• Region of high plant biodiversity, estimated 41, 000 plant species
• 70% species endemic to the region
• Timor-Leste has 30 protected areas
• Significant ecosystems:
• Tropical forests
• Mangroves
• Wetlands
• Marine reserves
• Approximately 35% of the land area has some
type of forest cover
• Part of the Coral Triangle
Timor-Leste is a
biodiversity hotspot

5. … and has a number of
environmental challenges

6. Land degradation
Water contamination
Erosion Waste Management
Pollution Loss of BiodiversityWater Scarcity

7. From our experience in delivering
environmental impact statements in
Timor-Leste, we have learnt…

8. Collaboration and communication
is key
Engage early with Government
and the community
Local people have a wealth
of knowledge to offer
when delivering an EIS:

9. when conducting
public consultation:
• There is active community
participation in field studies
• Appropriate forms of communication
and media needs to be utilised
• There are high community expectations
in terms of project benefits
• You need to earn your “Social licence
to Operate”

10. Key stakeholder groups include…

11. Directly Affected
Households
Secondary Stakeholders
Surrounding communities NGO’s
Indirectly affected
Households – Economic
Land owners Government
Primary Stakeholders

12. When engaging with the community,
appropriate forms of communication
and engagement must be considered.
For example:
• Culturally appropriate meeting
places
• Public versus private meetings
• Use of sub-committees for special
interest groups (i.e. youths, women,
subsistence farmers)
Focus on…
• Building trust
• Managing expectations
• Promoting community buy-in
• Capturing grievances

13. • Environmental Licencing process in Timor-Leste may
not always be plain sailing
• Legislation in Timor-Leste is well prepared
and prescriptive
• Ensure everyone is aligned throughout the process
• There is limited baseline information
• Focus on education and building capacity
• Collaboration is KEY
• Ambitious development plan for the future
• Development needs to be driven by a sustainable
development framework and world’s best practice
Conclusion

14. For more information contact:
Daniel Hunter
Timor-Leste Country Director
daniel.hunter@advisian.com