Biodiversity & Ecology
Critical Habitat Assessments
IFC PS6 critical habitat assessments, and equivalents under EBRD PR6 and World Bank ESS6, to support lender due diligence and project approval.
Overview
A critical habitat assessment asks a specific question: does this project affect habitat that meets a high biodiversity threshold, and what does that require of design, mitigation and finance. The answer has to be traceable. Lenders, regulators and partners will test both the conclusion and the evidence behind it.
How we approach it
Okala combines field survey, spatial analysis and species expertise. We screen against IFC Performance Standard 6 and comparable criteria, then explain what the result means for avoidance, minimisation, restoration and, where it is relevant, offset. The report is written so a non-specialist reviewer can see how the conclusion was reached.
What we deliver
- Screening of species, ecosystems, legally protected areas and internationally recognised sites
- Habitat mapping tied to the criteria being applied, with sources and dates stated
- Assessment of direct, indirect and cumulative effects on critical habitat features
- Mitigation hierarchy advice matched to the actual risk, not a generic list
- Residual-risk narrative suitable for lender due diligence and board review
- A data appendix so later monitoring can use the same features and methods
What you receive
You receive a clear determination, the evidence that supports it, and practical recommendations the project team can act on. Where the evidence is thin, we say so and set out what further work would change the conclusion.
When you need it
Commission this when a project is seeking international finance, sits near protected or high-value habitat, or when a lender or regulator has asked for a defensible view of biodiversity risk before design is fixed.
Related services
Biodiversity Impact Assessments
Impact assessments applying the mitigation hierarchy, supporting approval and investment decisions.
ESIA Biodiversity Baselines
Baseline surveys and specialist studies for ESIAs that satisfy lenders and national regulators, delivered to budget and on time.
Ecological Surveys & Baselines
Defensible ecological surveys and biodiversity baselines for planning, compliance and impact assessment.
Endangered Species Monitoring
Population surveys, density estimates and long-term monitoring for priority and protected species.
Habitat Mapping
Clear ecological and land-use maps that communicate habitat, risk and change for approvals, planning and stakeholder reporting.
E&S Due Diligence
Environmental and social reviews against the IFC Performance Standards to identify risks and decision points.