HAPPYLAND
CASE STUDY
Project Description:
After many, many decades of serene living, the country of HappyLand is
experiencing severe coastal flooding and coastal erosion caused by intense
storms and sea-level rise. Coastal communities are increasingly experiencing
loss of life, flooded habitats, contaminated drinking water, and lower crop
production due to increased salinity in the water/soils. This project would focus
on the five largest communities on the eastern coast, which includes
approximately 20,000 people.
The five communities are comprised of a mix of long standing residences with
an influx of newer illegal inhabitants who are fleeing conflict conditions in the
neighboring country of Grumpyville. Even though there are some households
that have inter-married between the five communities, including a few marriages
between HappyLand and Grumpyville people, there is a simmering tension over
the use of communal lands and the best fishing spots. Most community
members are in below average health because crop production and fish catches
have been declining for the past decade, partially due to dynamite fishing of
reefs.
The climate adaptation project includes the following actions:

Conduct a detailed technical assessment of five sites, with chronology of
previous flood and erosion events and collection of nearshore oceanographic
data, during “quiet” periods and “active” periods (one month each) to inform
the design of the coastal protection measures at each of the five sites;

Install coastal protection measures which will include building breakwater
structures;

Development and implementation of an early warning system for incoming
surge;

Provide training to promote compliance with climate-proofed planning,
design, and location guidelines;

Assist with policy mainstreaming; and,

Promote knowledge dissemination and management
Case Study Instructions
As a group, you have 20 minutes to fill out the form below using the following
instructions:
1. Decide if each of the 15 AF E&S Principles either apply, doesn’t apply or you
aren’t sure because you need further information. Only one of these three
choices should be selected for each principle.
2. If you check “apply” or “I’m not sure” then note the key issue(s) that should be
assessed and managed or the additional information that you need to make this
decision.
3. Make a preliminary categorization determination.
4. Nominate a spokesperson.
E&S Principles
1: Compliance with
Law
2: Access & Equity
3: Marginalized &
Vulnerable Groups
4: Human Rights
5: Gender Equity &
Women’s
Empowerment
6: Core Labor Rights
7: Indigenous Peoples
8: Involuntary
Resettlement
Apply
Doesn’t
Apply
I’m
Not
Sure
Possible Key Issue (s) or
Information Needed
9: Natural Habitats
10: Conservation of
Biological Diversity
11: Climate Change
12: Pollution
Prevention &
Resource
Efficiency
13: Public Health
14: Physical & Cultural
Heritage
15: Lands & Soil
Conservation
What is your Preliminary Categorization of this project and 2. Why?
A, B, or C? ________
E&S Risk Category Definitions:
Projects/programs likely to have significant adverse environmental or social impacts
that are for example diverse, widespread, or irreversible should be categorized as
Category A projects/programs.
Projects/programs with potential adverse impacts that are less adverse than
Category A projects/programs, because for example they are fewer in number,
smaller in scale, less widespread, reversible or easily mitigated should be
categorized as Category B.
Those projects/programs with no adverse environmental or social impacts should be
categorized as Category C.