Case Studies

Client: Urban Development Corporation
Name of Project: Strategic Environmental Assessment – Port Royal
Location: Port Royal, Kingston
Year : 2022
Practice Area: Environmental Assessments, Audits and Management

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Ltd (ESL) was contracted by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in 2022 to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Master Plan, inclusive of Carrying Capacity, Geotechnical and Density analyses of various zones within the Port Royal and Palisadoes area, as well as a Social Impact Assessment of the Sustainable Port Royal Concept Plan.

Client: Bamboo Bioproducts
Name of Project: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
Location: Friendship, Westmoreland
Year: 2022 – 2023
Practice Area: Environmental Assessments, Audits and Management

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Ltd (ESL) was contracted by Bamboo Bioproducts Limited to undertake a suite of environmental services in compliance with local and international standards that include: Environmental Permit Assistance; conducting an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with a detailed Riverine Assessment, Air Dispersion Modelling Assessment, Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, as well as the development of a Drainage Plan and review of Engineering Drawings.

In addition to extensive site assessments, the Team conducted consultations with key stakeholders.

Client: Gore Developments Limited
Name of Project: Construction Monitoring of the Camelot Housing Development
Location: Camelot, St. Ann
Year: 2020 – Ongoing
Practice Area: Environmental Monitoring

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited has a working relationship with Gore Developments Limited and was most recently contracted in 2020 to undertake construction monitoring activities for their Camelot Village Housing Development in St. Ann as prescribed by the Environmental Permit received from NEPA. Construction Monitoring primarily focuses on pollution prevention, resource efficiency and environmental health and safety guidelines.

Client: Grenada Development Bank
Name of Project: Implementation of an Environmental and social Management System for the Grenada Development Bank
Location: Grenada
Year: 2021-2022
Practice Area: Design and Implementation of Environmental and Social Management Systems

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited’s CEO, Mrs. Eleanor Jones, operates as both an Environmental Management professional as well as a Disaster Risk Management Specialist with extensive years of experience in both across the Caribbean. Mrs. Eleanor Jones was contracted by the Grenada Development Bank (GDB) in 2021 to provide support in the development and institutionalization of a suitable Environmental and Social Management System as guided by CDB procedures and international standards (IFC and World Bank). The project included reviewing the national legislative and administrative framework, reviewing the investment portfolio of the GDB, preparing an environmental and social policy, preparing an environmental and social operations manual with implementation guidelines and delivering a training workshop to GDB technical staff.

Client: Caribbean Development Bank
Name of Project: Preparation of a Water and Sanitation Sector Policy, Strategy and Operational Guidelines for CDB
Location: CDB Borrowing Member Countries
Year: 2021 – Present
Practice Area: Natural Resource management

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in 2021 to assist in defining and addressing the key issues, (including climate change, inequalities, water governance, resource management, etc.) affecting the water and sanitation sector across CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries that are likely to impact the sector over the period 2021 to 2031. The intended outcomes of this project will assist in setting out the long-term vision, role and guiding principles of the Bank in addressing those issues. This project involves the development of: (a) a new climate resilient, gender transformative, Water and Sanitation Sector Policy and Strategy for CDB; and (b) an associated Operational Guidelines for implementation of the strategy.

Client: Department of Environment – Antigua and Barbuda
Name of Project: Development of Tourism Sector Adaptation Plan for Antigua and Barbuda
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Year: 2022 – Present
Practice Area: Climate Planning and Resilience

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted by the Department of Environment in 2022 to develop a Sector Adaptation Plan for the Tourism Industry in Antigua and Barbuda. The project was a part of the wider National Adaptation Plan Programme. The Department of Environment (DOE) accessed funding from the Green Climate Fund to develop National Adaptation Plans for key national sectors in Antigua and Barbuda. These plans are aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience, and reducing vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change in the country. 

Client: Smith Warner International /JSIF
Name of Project: Consultancy to conduct coastal assessments in 8 priority coastal locations around Jamaica
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2019-2023
Practice Area: Disaster Risk Management Planning

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted in 2020 to conduct vulnerability and risk assessments, and to develop both a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and a Disaster Risk Management Plan for six (6) coastal communities, namely, Black River in St. Elizabeth; Savanna-la-mar in Westmoreland; Ocho Rios in St Ann; Manchioneal in Portland; Morant Bay in St Thomas; and Portland Cottage in Clarendon.

Client: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
Name of Project: Update of the Model National Recovery Framework (MNRF) for CDEMA Participating States
Location: CDEMA Participating States
Year: 2020-2021
Practice Area: Disaster Risk Management Planning

Project Description –
Mrs. Jones was contracted in 2020 as the DRM consultant responsible for revising the Model National Recovery Framework (MNRF) as a guidance document to enhance gender-responsive resilient recovery approaches and solutions at the national level, inclusive of a monitoring and evaluation framework template and accountability mechanisms.

Client: Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO)
Name of Project: Develop a Disaster Risk Management Framework for the Global Services Sector (GSS) in Jamaica
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2019-2020
Practice Area: Disaster Risk Management Planning

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted by JAMPRO in 2019 to develop a Disaster Risk Management Framework for the Global Services Sector (GSS) in Jamaica. The consultancy was commissioned by the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ) in partnership with the Skills Development for Global Services Sector Project (GSS Project). The Framework was developed because the Global Services Sector (GSS) was identified as one of several sectors that is vulnerable to the shocks that are experienced by the country from all types of disasters particularly when they directly impact the labour force and infrastructure.

Client: National Irrigation Commission
Name of Project: Preparation of A Final Design Study for Identified Areas on the South St. Catherine and Clarendon Plains for Agricultural Development Project (SCCADP)
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2019-2021
Practice Area: Environmental Engineering and Hydrology

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted in 2019 to undertake an Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), a Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (CVRA) and to develop the Detailed Engineering Designs for an agricultural development project led by the National Irrigation Commission in two communities in the parishes of St Catherine and Clarendon.

Client: Playa Hall Jamaican Resort Limited
Name of Project: Hydrogeologic Assessment for the Hyatt Zilara, Hilton Rose Hall and Jewels Paradise Cove Beach Resort and Spa in Rose Hall, St. James, Jamaica
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2022
Practice Area: Environmental Engineering and Hydrology

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted by Playa Hall Jamaican Resort Limited in 2022 to undertake a hydrogeological study to ascertain the appropriate locations for their reverse osmosis plants. The project involved characterizing the groundwater systems, determining the groundwater yield of the aquifers, recommending the appropriate depths for abstraction and discharge wells, identifying the potential impacts of the existing water systems and providing associated mitigation measures. This information helped to guide the WRA permits for drilling a well and to abstract and use the water resources.

Client: UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica
Name of Project: Hydrogeologic Assessment for Replacement Well in Ewarton, St. Catherine
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2022
Practice Area: Environmental Engineering and Hydrology

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited was contracted by UC Rusal Alumina Jamaica in 2022 undertake a hydrogeological study to identify a location for their replacement well in Ewarton, St. Catherine. The project involved characterizing the groundwater systems, determining the groundwater yield of the aquifers, recommending the appropriate depths of the replacement well, identifying the potential impacts of the existing water systems and providing associated mitigation measures.

Client: UNEP DTU Partnership
Name of Project: Technical Needs Assessment for Jamaica
Year: 2019 – 2021
Location: Jamaica
Practice Area:

Project Description –
Global Technology Needs Assessment project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by UN Environment. Eleanor Jones in association with David Barrett, Mitigation specialist is in the process of conducting the TNA for Jamaica. Project activities included:

  • Identifying and prioritizing through country-driven participatory processes, technologies that can contribute to adaptation and mitigation goals of the participant countries, while meeting their national sustainable development goals and priorities including fostering gender equality.
  •  Identifying barriers hindering the acquisition, deployment, and diffusion of prioritized technologies.
  • Developing the Technology Action Plans (TAP) specifying activities and enabling frameworks to overcome the barriers and facilitate the transfer adoption, and diffusion of selected technologies in Jamaica.
  • Developing Concept Notes for attracting funding to implement selected technologies as prioritised by the respective sector groups and the TNA Project Steering Committee.

Client: Sandals Negril Limited (SNG)
Name of Project:Proposed Beach Nourishment and Installation of Six (6) Groynes at Sandals Negril
Location: Negril, Hanover, Jamaica
Year: 2019
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
This Environmental Impact Assessment has been prepared in support of an environmental permit for a proposed beach nourishment and groyne installation project at the Sandals property in Negril, Hanover. The EIA was conducted in accordance with the Terms of Reference provided by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). This document represents the EIA report.
FINAL EIA.Sandals Negril.Oct17

Client: MBJ Airports Limited Sangster International Airport
Name of Project:Runway Extension and Associated Works Project at Sangster International Airport
Location: Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica
Year: 2019
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
This project brief has been prepared in support of the Environmental Permit (EP) applications being made by the owner of Sangster International Airport (SIA), the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for the Runway Extension and Associated Works Project at SIA (the Project). The Project is part of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan for SIA proposed by the Airport’s Operator, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ).
Project Document_SIA Runway Extension and Associated Works-2

Client: Whim Development Limited
Name of Project:ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
WHIM ESTATES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Location: Old Harbour, St.Catherine, Jamaica
Year: 2019
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted by Whim Development Company Limited (WDCL) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed Whim Estates Housing Development in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. This document presents the EIA report prepared to support the permit application for the development as required by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and was completed in accordance with NEPA’s TOR
Whim Estates Housing EIA (Draft Report) March 19 2019_Final (For Print)

Client: Karisma Jamaica Development Corporation
Name of Project: Strategic Environmental Assessment – Proposed Sugar Cane Resort Development
Location: Llandovery, St. Ann, Jamaica
Year: 2016 – 2017
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Ltd. (ESL) was contracted by the Karisma Hotel Group to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the ‘Sugar Cane Resort’ development at Llandovery, St Ann. The project involved the analysis of existing environmental attributes to provide the baseline against which the project intervention was measured. It also included the evaluation of significant environmental risks and opportunities associated with the project and identified requirements for more detailed technical studies, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for particular phases of the overall development.

Client: National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)
Name of Project: Black River Carrying Capacity
Location: Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
Year: 2015 – 2016
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) provided funding to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to conduct a carrying capacity study of the Black River (BR) and its tributaries, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, an area of ecological importance. Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted in 2015 to undertake this recreational and ecological carrying capacity study to:

  1. Ascertain the current levels of recreational and associated activities in the study area;
  2. Identify existing and potential impacts of recreational and associated activities and limits of acceptable change for the study area; and
  3. Provide recommendations for:
    • Optimal carrying capacity for recreational and associated activities and limits of acceptable change for the study area; and
    • Guidelines, strategies and actions for the effective management of recreational and associated activities in the study area.

This assessment is important because the BR area is a major ecotourism asset, which is highly used and biologically rich. The study was carried out to define a balance between maintaining the ecological function and human use.

Consultancy Outcome:
On completion of the consultancy, it is expected that the information garnered from the carrying capacity studies will:

  1. Guide NEPA in its review of applications received regarding ecotourism projects and tours along the Black River and its tributaries;
  2. Guide the River Rafting Authority in its determination of licenses and permits for river rafting and boating activities on the Black River and its tributaries; and
  3. Inform the preparation of zoning and management plans for the proposed protected area.

Client: National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)
Name of Project: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2016 (In Progress)
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited (ESL) was contracted in April 2016 by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to undertake the revisions to the 2003 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
The objectives of the project are to:

  1. To provide technical lead to the setting of national biodiversity conservation targets in accordance with the global Aichi targets,
  2. To develop the NBSAP implementation plan for Jamaica in an integrative manner,
  3. proactively coordinate cross sectoral consultations to ensure that the NBSAP and biodiversity conservation measures are mainstreamed and anchored into the national development framework/plans and local development strategies, and
  4. To prepare Jamaica’s updated 2016-2021 NBSAP.

Consultancy Outcome:
In order to achieve the above objectives, three ‘outcomes’ are expected from the project:

Outcome 1 – A participative stocktaking exercise on biodiversity planning and national biodiversity targets to be developed in response to the global Aichi Targets including lessons learnt from the previous NBSAPs prepared for Jamaica and other countries.

Outcome 2 – The NBSAP to be revised/updated and fully integrate new aspects of the CBD strategic plan, such as mainstreaming and anchoring the implementation of the plan into national development frameworks, valuing ecosystem services and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation and resilience to climate change and traditional knowledge.

Outcome 3 – National frameworks for resource mobilization, Convention reporting and exchange mechanisms established and strengthened.

Client: CMA CGM/ Terminal Link
Name of Project: Environmental Planning and Management Systems For The Development Of Infrastructure Capacity At Kingston Container Terminal: Harbour Channel Upgrade, Gordon Quay Reinforcement & Terminal Equipment/Operation Upgrade
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2015
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Management Systems (EPMS)

Project Description –
ESL was contracted by CMA CGM/ Terminal Link in March 2015 to conduct an EPMS for the upgrade of the port and the dredging of the Kingston Harbour Ship Channel. In order to accommodate larger container vessels, CMA CGM through its affiliated company Terminal Link proposes to increase the capacity of the port by increasing the capacity of the quays (at the berths) by allowing larger vessels, and to increase the capacity of the stacking yard through new equipment as well as operational changes in two phases.

The project had three main components, the Environmental Audit of the Kingston Container Terminal and the EPMS of the dredging of the Kingston Harbour Shipping Channel and Turning Basin and the Dredge Disposal Study. ESL also assisted in the preparation of all the necessary environmental permits needed by the new concessionaires for financial closure and takeover of the port.

Client: Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited
Name of Project: Environmental Management Plans For The Development Of Infrastructure Capacity At Kingston Container Terminal: Harbour Channel Upgrade, Gordon Quay Reinforcement & Terminal Equipment/Operation Upgrade
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2015 – 2016
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Sustainable Management

Project Description –
ESL was contracted by Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited in September 2015 to complete eight (8) Environmental Management Plans. These were required by the Environmental and Social Due Diligence Team to satisfy the environmental and social safeguard policies of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) of the World Bank.

Client: WRB Enterprises, Inc.
Name of Project: Environmental Consultancy for 20 MW Solar Plant in Content Village, Clarendon
Location: Content Village, Clarendon – Jamaica
Year: 2013 – 2014
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Sustainable Management

Project Description –
WRB proposes to undertake a 20MW photovoltaic project – the only one of its kind in Jamaica – which will see power generated being sold to the Jamaica Public Service electricity grid. ESL was contracted to provide environmental management services, in respect of the proposed 20 MW solar plant in Content Village, Clarendon.

Specific Tasks:
ESL in their role as WRB’s environmental managers conducted an Environmental Assessment of the project site, which involved the collection and analysis of baseline data, sampling of environmental indicators and presentation of the potential impacts, both positive and negative.

Other activities included preparation and submission of environmental permits to NEPA, planning and facilitation of community stake holder meetings, preparation and submission of post permit plans.

Client: Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA)
Name of Project: JEA PIP Phase 2/COLEACP Project; Capacity Building of JEA staff in Hygiene and Food Safety
Location: Jamaica
Year: 2013
Practice Area: Food Safety

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited was contracted by the JEA to provide services for the capacity building of JEA Staff through training and development of training materials. The primary objective of the consultancy was to design, conduct and facilitate training programs for a target group of five (5) JEA staff members and one exporter company in the area of Food Safety and Hygiene and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). The expected outcomes included achieving a measurable increase in the level of awareness among the participants of the benefits of Food Safety and Hygiene and of HACCP management systems to the companies and the industry of which they are a part. The training also aimed to strengthen the capacity of JEA staff in order for them to provide assistance to agro exporters and, depending on their existing competency, provided the participants from the exporter company with the skills to successfully plan and implement HACCP management systems in their organization.

Specific Conditions/Roles:

  1. Design, conduct and facilitate training programs relevant to the current and future needs of the target food export industry
  2. Prepare a training evaluation report

Client: ALPART
Name of Project: Ecological and Waste Characterization Study (Alpart’s North and Airfield Lakes)
Location: Nain, St. Elizabeth – Jamaica
Year: 2012 – Present
Practice Area: Pollution Prevention and Control

Project Description –
Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART), now renamed RUSAL ALPART Jamaica, contracted Environmental Solutions Limited to undertake an ecological and waste characterization study of some former industrial waste lakes to determine the extent of contamination in soil, plants and water.

The study involved an assessment of the spatial variation of specific chemical constituents in soil and vegetation as well as overall ecology at four sites around the Alumina Processing Plant in Nain, St. Elizabeth. The sites are former process waste storage areas – the North Lake and the Airfield Lakes 1, 2 and 3.

The study formed a part of the regulatory requirements with regard to closure of the North and Airfield Lakes.

Specific Tasks:
The project team undertook assessments of the waste containment facilities and their spatial extent. Vegetation assessments along with an ecological inventory was also carried out and involved a description of the habitats, species composition, and a description and evaluation of the most significant communities. Analyses of the soil were also carried out from which a soil profile was developed.

Client: The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
Name of Project: Development of a National Adaptation Strategy to address climate change in the Water Sector for Antigua and Barbuda
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Year: 2014
Practice Area: Environmental Risk and Climate Change

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited was contracted to develop a National Adaptation Strategy to address Climate Change in the water sector in Antigua and Barbuda. The project was executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre through the Environment Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Health, Land and Environment (MAHLE) in Antigua and Barbuda as the focal point. The project was successfully completed by the end of 2014.

Specific Tasks:

  1. To determine the impact of climate change and climate variability on Antigua and Barbuda’s water sector in the medium and long term;
  2. To determine the vulnerability of the water sector to climate related hazards and capacities of key stakeholders to support the National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (NASAP);
  3. To develop a National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan to address the anticipated adverse effects of climate change on the water sector with integration of agriculture and health issues.

Client: The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
Name of project: Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in the South West Coast and Watershed Area in Antigua.
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Year: 2014
Practice Area: Environmental Risk and Climate Change

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited was contracted by the client to conduct a Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) in the South West Coast and Watershed Area in Antigua to determine the impacts of projected climate change on the water sector in the community. The project was executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) through the Environment Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Health, Land and Environment (MAHLE) in Antigua and Barbuda as the focal point. The project was successfully completed by the end of 2014.

Specific Tasks:

  1. To conduct a Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment in the South West Coast and Watershed Area in Antigua and Barbuda to determine the impacts of projected climate change on the water sector in the community.
  2. To provide baseline information and data on the projected impacts of climate change on the available water resources in the community
  3. To make recommendations based on the assessment that will enable the community to cope with the expected impacts.

Client: Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology
Name of Project: Implementing a Framework for Environmental Monitoring
Location: St. Lucia
Year: 2014
Practice Area: Environmental Planning and Sustainable Management

Project Description –
Environmental Solutions Limited was contracted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology (MSDEST) to review existing environmental related policies, plans, legislation and ongoing programmes and update the NEP/NEMS to create a results-focused strategy.

Specific Tasks:

  1. Review the existing NEP/ NEMS and revise to include stakeholder comments and be results oriented.
  2. National consultation with relevant stakeholders on the draft updated NEP/NEMS
  3. Review the existing draft EMB and update according to stakeholder comments and recommendations.
  4. Draft Regulations were prepared to complement the draft EMB
  5. National consultation on the final draft EMB and Regulations
  6. Prepare a Business and Transition Plan for the SDED to transition to a Department of Environment.
  7. National consultation with relevant stakeholders on the draft business plan and workplan and draft transition plan.
  8. Feasibility Study on Implementation of a dedicated Fund for environmental management in St. Lucia