For Cape Verde's Ministry of Infrastructure and with financing from the EU's ninth European Development Fund (EDF), STELLA designed with Hydea a system of integrated solid waste management for the six municipalities of the Island of Santiago in Cape Verde. STELLA assessed the quantities of waste generated on the island and the equipment and infrastructure currently used to manage the waste. After identifying the current and future needs of the municipalities, STELLA proposed the creation of an inter-municipal autonomous structure that would collect and treat the waste generated by the six municipalities. This new structure will be in charge of managing three new controlled landfills and over 20 rubbish disposal trucks. STELLA proposed various options to finance the new structure and ensure full-cost recovery (tax on imported packaging and tariffs paid by shops and residents). STELLA also recommended the launch of a public awareness campaign to encourage residents to dispose of their rubbish in the proper containers. Finally, STELLA recommended a new system to safely dispose of medical waste and to study the feasibility of segregating and recycling paper, glass, plastic, and aluminium.

The objectives of this assignment financed by the World Bank were to: (1) Assess the amount of Carbon Emission Reductions (ERs) that Tunisia's wastewater sector could achieve, focusing on the Greater Tunis, Nabeul-Hamamet, and Sousse areas, and (2) Identify potential and viable Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) wastewater projects. STELLA met with officials from the Ministry of Environment and key stakeholders involved in the wastewater sector (ONAS), and visited selected wastewater treatment plants (Choutrana, Sud-Méliane). STELLA collected relevant data on wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with a capacity of more than 18,000 people-equivalent, calculated the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) released due to the current sludge treatment practice, and assessed to what extent these emissions could be reduced. Wastewater CDM projects approved so far by the UNFCCC consist of installing anaerobic sludge digesters and flaring or using the methane produced on site. STELLA also conducted an economic and financial analysis of the potential CDM projects. We compared the economic and financial costs and benefits of anaerobic digestion projects for the six largest WWTP, based on a discounted cash flow analysis over the lifetime of the project. We calculated the Net Present Values (NPV) of each project based on expected revenues (with and without the sale of carbon credits) as well as investment and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs.

For the Haute-Normandie Regional Council, STELLA and Ecosphère have prepared a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) complying with the requirements of the 2001/42/EC directive, also known as the SEA directive, and using the EU guidelines as presented in the "SEA Handbook for Cohesion Fund (2007-2013)". STELLA's experts performed a screening in order to determine to which extent the ROP for Haute Normandie is falling under the provisions of the SEA directive. In the scoping stage, we prepared an evaluation matrix that we applied to every measure proposed in the ROP. We also defined direct and indirect quantification indicators. To draft the environmental report, we proposed alternative solutions and conditioned the existing measures with eco-clauses. The environmental report produced is consistent with the agreed scope of the assessment. STELLA's experts have assisted the Haute Normandie Regional Council in the public consultation process and the conclusions and evaluation of the public consultation process are in the report. STELLA and Ecosphère have prepared monitoring tools and indicators for the evaluation throughout the entire implementation of the ROP.

For the World Bank, STELLA staff reviewed a report characterising hazardous waste management practices in Tunisia and assessing the country's needs for waste management facilities. The report presents estimates of hazardous waste quantities generated in Tunisia by waste type, describes current waste management practices, and identifies existing waste management laws and regulations. Building on the pollution prevention hierarchy (from source reduction to disposal), the report develops short- and long-term waste management scenarios. The report recommends building pre-treatment and treatment facilities as well as controlled landfills in three regions. STELLA staff discussed the report's findings with the World Bank, including alternatives for implementing the report's recommendations.

For the Water Resources Sustainability activity, STELLA staff designed and built Morocco's first chromium recovery facility in Fez. This facility receives the tanning baths from 16 tanneries in the Dokkarat industrial zone, recovers the chromium from the baths through precipitation and acidification, and sells it back to the tanneries for reuse. The sale of chromium covers the facility's operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. The tanneries also pay a pollution fee contributing to reimbursing the $1 million investment. STELLA staff has established a partnership among local and central stakeholders, including RADEEF (local sanitation company), and has helped the partnership negotiate a cost-sharing agreement. The facility has reduced the quantity of chromium discharged by the tanneries into the sewer and the river by 90 percent.

For the US Agency for International Development's Project in Development and Environment (PRIDE), STELLA staff evaluated strategy options for pollution prevention by the agro-processing industry in Morocco (sugar plants, olive oil mills, and canneries). STELLA staff reviewed data on pollution generated by agro-processing plants, previous pollution prevention efforts or efforts currently underway, and the institutional and legal framework for pollution abatement efforts. STELLA staff analysed these data and conducted environmental audits of one sugar plant and one olive oil mill to estimate the potential for pollution prevention in these industrial sectors. Drawing on the US experience in this area, STELLA staff suggested a series of measures to speed up the process of pollution prevention in the agro-processing industry in Morocco. These measures include economic and financial actions (increased water prices, investment incentives), awareness activities (pollution prevention audits), and training.

For Morocco’s Ministry of the Environment (MoE), STELLA staff evaluated industrial pollution in the Mohammedia-Casablanca region. The study was financed by a grant from the World Bank and the European Investment Bank through the Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme (METAP). STELLA staff conducted pollution prevention and control audits of the 10 most polluting industrial facilities in the region (petrochemical, fertiliser, detergent, oil refining, thermal power, food processing, tannery, aluminium, electroplating). These audits have allowed MoE to launch partnerships with the industry representatives of Mohammedia-Casablanca. They have also allowed Morocco to implement the strategy of environmental protection and sustainable development that MoE had just prepared. To conduct these audits, STELLA staff used a methodology consisting of three steps and 19 activities. Key activities included a pollution prevention workshop with about 20 facility decision-makers and plant managers, the audit including sampling and the evaluation of control pollution options and clean technologies, and the preparation of an action plan to improve environmental quality in the Mohammedia-Casablanca region. After the audits, STELLA staff prepared action plans for each of the 10 facilities. Finally, STELLA staff organised a public meeting to sign the action plans

STELLA staff managed risks assessments of five US medical waste incinerators (Massachusetts General Hospital, Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, University of Michigan, Stony Brook Medical Centre, and Saint Joseph Hospital in New York). To evaluate the highest concentrations of pollutants, STELLA staff estimated emissions of suspended particulate matter, SO2, CO, NOX, HCl, heavy metals, and dioxins, and applied the ISCLT, ISCST, and PTPLU air dispersion models. Using dose-response relationships, STELLA staff evaluated the risks resulting from these concentrations (to the Most Exposed Individual and to the population living next to the incinerator).

STELLA staff contributed to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a proposed ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol plant in Venezuela, partially financed by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC). In compliance with the World Bank's environmental guidelines for projects of this nature, the EIA reviewed relevant Venezuelan and international environmental regulations on solid and hazardous waste, direct wastewater discharges to surface waters such as the Maracaibo Lake, indirect discharges to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), air pollution, and noise. The EIA described current environmental and socio-economic conditions near the proposed PRALCA plant site. STELLA staff identified and evaluated potential environmental impacts associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the plant, and proposed measures to prevent or mitigate these impacts. The EIA found that wastewater discharges to the sewer line would not meet the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) limits due to the high TDS content of the well water used by the cooling tower. To remedy this potential problem, the EIA suggested either using an alternative source of water or treating the well water to reduce its TDS content prior to discharge to the sewer.

For a member of a start-up joint venture, STELLA staff conducted environmental audits of three units producing graphite electrodes for steel plants in France and Italy. The audits were to verify compliance with existing and anticipated French and Italian environmental laws and regulations, as well as EU directives. STELLA staff evaluated the risks from discharges, emissions, and wastes from these units. STELLA staff then estimated the costs of bringing these units into compliance with current and future standards. The client used these cost estimates to revise its financial contribution to the joint venture.

Following the sale of the group "Knoll" by 21' International to Westinghouse, STELLA staff conducted environmental audits of six furniture (wood or metal) manufacturing units in France and Italy. The purpose of these audits was to verify compliance with existing and anticipated French and Italian environmental laws and regulations, as well as EU directives. STELLA staff also evaluated the risks posed by the discharges, emissions, and wastes from these units. 21' International implemented the audits' recommendations under the direction of STELLA staff. Specifically, STELLA staff prepared an inventory of air pollution sources and wastes generated by these six units and managed (1) the construction of four wastewater treatment plants, (2) the removal and replacement of two PCB transformers and 22 underground storage tanks, and (3) the excavation and disposal of soils contaminated with trichloroethane (TCE).

STELLA staff coordinated the preparation of a complex and comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of the construction of a tourist resort (golf course, hotels, apartments) along the Atlantic Ocean and the dunes of the southwest coast of France. The study evaluated the impact on several rare plants and trees (royal osmund, common smilax, cork oak) and endangered species (otter, European mink, and genette). STELLA staff directed the preparation of a hydrogeological study to analyse the equilibrium between the salt and fresh water and evaluate the impact on the Lareuillot and Montagne du Bec wetlands. STELLA staff also estimated the impact on ecosystems within protected areas such as Etang Noir de Seignosse, Marais d'Orx, and Lac Noir d'Ondres. STELLA staff recommended and estimated the costs of various measures (during construction and operation of the resort) to mitigate or reduce the impacts.

For the World Bank/Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme (METAP), STELLA staff coordinated the environmental audits of Tripoli/El-Mina, Lebanon, and Oran, Algeria. STELLA staff also provided solid waste expertise for the environmental audit of Limassol, Cyprus. Finally, STELLA staff reviewed the environmental audit and strategy reports prepared for two other cities (Sousse, Tunisia and Tangiers, Morocco) and synthesised the five municipal environmental audits. In Oran, STELLA staff directed data collection and analysis efforts by one team of 12 local and international experts, and was responsible for preparing the final audit and strategy report. The audit team assessed the existing situation and evaluated the costs of several options to improve the environment, including the ""no-action"" approach. The audits identified priority projects in water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, coastal zone management, and land use.

STELLA staff has assisted UNDP and Syria's Ministry of Irrigation in reducing industrial pollution in the upper Orontes River through the implementation of environmental management practices and systems that comply with international standards. STELLA staff designed pilot projects to reduce water consumption by reusing treated effluents and to prevent pollution from an oil refinery, a fertiliser unit, and a sugar company. The pilot projects had the objective of implementing environmental management systems in each plant and preparing the plants for ISO 14000 certification. These projects also developed local capacity to promote, support, and replicate the implementation of environmental management standards in Syria. STELLA staff conducted two training workshops on environmental management systems and ISO 14000 certification.