Ottawa, ON – July 21st^h, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada has determined that the proposed Nature Positive Food Systems for Climate Change Adaptation projects, located in Ethiopia and in Kenya, are not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

To address the identified negative environmental effects of this project, environmental assessments (EAs) were conducted by the Canadian Food and Grain Bank (CFGB) and its partners, including: Migbare Senay Children and Family Support Organization (MSCFSO), FH Ethiopia and Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Ethiopia and Fadhili Trust, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and ADRA-Kenya in Kenya. Each of CFGB's country partner prepared well structured monitoring and reporting plans to ensure that all initiatives continue to align with environmental requirements while serving the local communities in a sustainable way. Local authorities and community leaders will be strongly encouraged to participate in the monitoring process to ensure that community expectations are met, and negative environmental effects are adequately mitigated.

The following mitigation measures were taken into account for this determination:

• To minimize the disruption of water flow and quality, habitat disturbances and landscape disturbances during construction:
  • Construction of water flow, containment and diversion structures will be scheduled during low-flow periods or periods during which seasonal rivers have ceased to flow.
  • Terrace construction will take place during dry season to minimize soil disruptions.
  • Natural vegetation will be maintained during construction and replaced if it is affected.
  • Habitat management and post-construction restoration plans will be implemented.

• To minimize risks of erosion of embankments and soil:
  • Water flow management systems and water collection pits will be put in place to manage water velocity, avoid soil erosion and enable water table regeneration
  • Use of small-scale ponds and trenches in catchment areas to allow water table recharge
  • Soil conservation work will be carried out during dry season to minimize the risk of flooding and erosion
  • Add slope and erosion stabilization measures where applicable.
  • Maintain and protect the health of existing forests and mixed vegetation areas and ensure ecological recovery of affected and eroded areas.
  • Implement rotational grazing and moisture-harvesting structures to preserve, rehabilitate and maintain rangeland

• To minimize risks of surface water and water table contamination:
  • Construct cattle containment structures.
  • Construct water diversion channels and structures to collect and divert rainwater.
  • Training on appropriate tree species selection, on resilient crop varieties and on heat-resistant indigenous species to minimize the use of water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Community education watershed management, resources management, leadership advocacy and inclusive governance to ensure the reliable operation of water supply systems
  • Continuous monitoring of key water quality indicators

• To minimize health risks:
  • Community training on sustainable practices, particularly with respect to water source protection
  • Community engagement in vector management practices to minimize the potential for water borne diseases.
  • Provide appropriate waste disposal facilities and education on reusing and recycling where feasible.
  • Ongoing monitoring of water points by local Water Point Committees, including consideration of rights for communities downstream

Global Affairs Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Global Affairs Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be conducted in whole or in part.