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Egypt
>> Regional Overview >> Egypt Overview ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Egypt
TITLE AND NUMBER: Management of the Environment and Natural Resources in Targeted Sectors Improved, 263-019
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $35,780,000 ESF
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $47,780,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2009Summary: This objective seeks to improve management of Egypt's environment and natural resource base in four targeted areas: 1) urban/industrial pollution; 2) Red Sea natural resources; 3) energy efficiency; and 4) Nile water resources.
The challenges facing Egypt's natural resource base are considerable. In opinion surveys, the Egyptian public rates solid waste as the top urban environmental issue. In addition, air pollution levels in Cairo are among the highest in the world, contributing to respiratory ailments and lost worker productivity. Sustaining the natural resource base is important to supporting the booming tourism sector-the second largest source of national income in Egypt. Environmentally sound development along the Red Sea coast requires proactive intervention. Economic growth and sustainable development require energy, energy efficiency, and the use of cleaner fuels. The quality and efficiency in the use of Nile water must be improved in order to accommodate the increasing and competing demands of municipalities, industry, and farmers on this resource.
This objective includes funds previously obligated under "Reduced Generation of Air Pollution" (263-007) and "Natural Resources Managed for Environmental Sustainability" (263-008).
USAID works with governmental and private sector representatives to facilitate development policies and an enabling framework for improved environmental management. These efforts contribute to increased private sector investments in modern technologies and privatization of environmental services in targeted sectors. Such policy and institutional reform is a necessary prerequisite for improved environmental conditions and sustainable economic development.
Key Results: Two results are key to achieving this objective: 1) fostering public-private partnerships; and 2) increasing investment in best practices and technology. To reach these results, activities will strengthen the role of the private sector as well as promote opportunities for public-private partnerships.
In FY 2000, with regard to urban air pollution, solid waste services were privatized in the city of Alexandria, improving the lives of three million residents. Furthermore, USAID assistance leveraged 42 million Egyptian pounds (approximately $11 million) of Government of Egypt (GOE) investment in public buses and related facilities operating on cleaner-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). With USAID support, the GOE established an air quality forecasting system in FY 2000. The largest lead smelter in Egypt curtailed production in FY 2000, partly as a result of USAID-supported air monitoring. The average concentration of lead in the air in the area where the smelter is located fell by 50% in FY 2000, compared with FY 1999 levels. Also, the smelter owner purchased land in a new industrial zone outside of Cairo, where it will be re-established in FY 2002 using modern, less polluting technology. Rehabilitation and relocation will considerably reduce airborne lead concentration in the area.
USAID's support of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) improved the enforcement of environmental impact assessment regulations for facilities located on TDA-owned lands along the Red Sea coast. The Authority also promoted the adoption of environmental best practices by the hotel industry that have meaningful impact on energy, solid waste, and wastewater management, which are among the most pressing environmental issues in the Red Sea area. The percentage of hotels on TDA lands investing in environmental best practices rose from 38% to 43% in 2000 and is expected to reach 53% by the end of 2002. Finally, the number of Red Sea park rangers increased in number from six to 24 over the past 18 months.
In the energy sector, USAID provided assistance to the Energy Efficiency Council, which is preparing a National Energy Efficiency Strategy framework for Egypt that will be finalized in FY 2001. Competition in the energy efficiency sector is increasing. The number of companies in this sector grew from 9 to 13 firms last year, and is expected to reach 18 in 2002. Many of the new entrants are larger firms that are considered market makers in Egypt, which should lead to new investment and energy savings opportunities.
USAID supported the efforts of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to improve Nile water management. As a result of USAID assistance, institutionalization of stakeholder participation in Nile irrigation water management is progressing with the development of new water users associations. The GOE approved a plan for adopting the irrigation management transfer concept in Egypt, promoting water users' participation in the management of irrigation and drainage systems. This is a departure from past policies, in which water had been tightly controlled by the government.
Performance and Prospects: The FY 2001 and FY 2002 activities are illustrative.
Building on results attained in FY 2000, USAID plans to continue the financing of training, technical assistance and policy reform.
In FY 2001 and FY 2002 ($35 million and $30 million, respectively), USAID will provide cash transfer assistance to support policy and institutional reforms in targeted regions. Technical assistance in FY 2002 ($15 million) will also be provided to further support the work in this area. The GOE's commitment to the adoption of new environmental policies is strong, as indicated by its proactive role in the identification of policy reform measures and by its performance in the implementation of these measures.
In FY 2001 and FY 2002 ($780,000 and $2.78 million, respectively), USAID will implement development training activities that strengthen Egypt's capacity to manage its natural resource base and the environment in a sustainable manner.
Through 2002, USAID will extend assistance to the Governorates of Cairo (Southern Zone) and the nearby Governorate of Qaluybia to help privatize solid waste services for eight million people-approximately 40 percent of the population of Greater Cairo-and adopt policies that promote appropriate practices in this field. Furthermore, through FY 2002, USAID will continue to work with governmental organizations to improve air quality in Greater Cairo. USAID will assist the Ministry of Environment to publicize daily ambient air quality data. In addition, a pilot CNG bus fleet and a diesel engine tune-up program will be operational, resulting in reduced particulate matter emissions from Greater Cairo's 4,500 municipal buses.
For improved Red Sea ecosystems management, USAID will continue to work with the TDA to establish a zoning policy. The focus will be to promote environmentally sensitive development along the Red Sea, as well as to strengthen the administration of the environmental impact assessment process and promote environmental best practices among tourism facilities (e.g., use of fixed mooring buoys by tourism boats to reduce coral destruction). The percentage of tourism facilities receiving approval through the environmental impact assessment process before initiating construction will reach 50% in 2002, compared with 25% in 2000. USAID will continue to support protection of Red Sea biodiversity by providing technical assistance, training, and equipment to the Red Sea park rangers.
Through FY 2002, progress will continue in the decentralization of environmental management by strengthening the regional branch offices of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, and local environmental management units in different governorates. Revenue enhancement mechanisms necessary for financial sustainability of key environmental sub-sectors will be identified and adopted. Public awareness activities will continue and more environmental information will be disseminated.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None.
Other Donor Programs: USAID is the largest donor focusing on management of the environment and natural resources in Egypt. Other donors that complement USAID's activities include: the European Union, Finland, Switzerland, Japan, The United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Nations Development Program, and the World Bank.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements environment and natural resource activities through contracts with the International Resources Group; PA Consulting; Nexant; the Academy for Educational Development; Abt Associates; Chemonics International; and through grants to the Food and Agriculture Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Egypt: 263-019
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY00 (Plan) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Real value in Egyptian Pounds of aggregate agricultural production per 1000 cubic meters of Nile water used in agriculture NA 527 NA 551 552 562 579 Indicator 2: Number of Governorates with at least one new private sector solid waste management (SWM) contractor NA NA 0 1 1 1 2 Indicator 3: Percentage of hotel rooms in facilities located on Tourism Development Authority (TDA)-owned lands in the Red Sea region, which instituted best practices NA NA 38.1 43 42 47 53 Indicator 4: Total volume (1000 Gasoline gallon equivalent) of CNG sold per year for transportation NA NA 20200 28795 28300 33100 35000 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S) or (IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Egyptian Pounds (LE) Ministry of Water Resources & Irrigation and Ministry of Agriculture Aggregate production in agriculture in a given calendar year is the monetary value of crops produced in that year, in constant Egyptian pounds based on the average prices for the 1994-1996 period. Production is defined as including 23 major crops produced in old lands. Indicator 2: IR Number of Governorates Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) register fo GOE contracts with SWM companies. The indicator is the cumulative total number of Governorates with private sector contractors to collect and dispose of non-hazardous solid waste, for which contracts have been signed since the baseline year of 1999 Indicator 3: IR Percentage of hotel rooms Tourism Authority (TDA) Best Practices Monitoring Reports (semiannual) The indicator is the percentage of hotel rooms in facilities on TDA-owned lands in the Red Sea Region from El Gouna to Ras Banas which have adopted at least one Best Practice in the areas of water conservation, energy efficiency and solid waste management Indicator 4: IR Total volume of compressed natural gas (CNG) Ministry of Petroleum. Organization for Energy Planning. The indicator is the total annual volume of CNG sold to the Egyptian transportation sector. Volume is measured in 1,000 gallons of gasoline equivalent (GGE). CNG sales in Egypt are typically measured in cubic meters. A cubic meter of CNG is equivalent to 3.7854 GGE in energy content. The Egyptian transportation sector includes public and private buses, cars, and trucks. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999* 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 95,120 ESF 0 ESF 95,120 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 36,414 ESF 47,278 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 131,534 ESF 47,278 ESF 84,256 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 35,780 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 35,780 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 47,780 ESF 60,000 ESF 275,094 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA * These funds were previously obligated under former objectives 263-007 and 263-008, whose activities have been merged into this SO.
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
