**Acknowledgements**

**6.3 Strategy and benefits**

*Regional Development in Africa*

mangrove ecosystem.

**7. Conclusions**

students).

environment.

**62**

UNDP-Guinea is now working with the Chamber of Mines on operationalizing

momentum is timely because a landmark 2019 US Supreme Court decision in *Jam v. IFC* exposes the World Bank's liability when financing negligent projects and promises to add pressure from civilian advocates. As an example, a suit has already been brought by 13 Guinean communities against the IFC for its support of mining projects, thus highlighting the immediate effect of the court's decision. Coincidently, only days later, three major French banks announced their financing for the largest bauxite mining operation on the planet in Guinea [42]. As pressures to address increasingly empowered stakeholders grow, new pathways for investing in

their intention to adopt specific sustainable mining practices. This strategic

environmental and community sustainability gain much-needed traction.

**6.4 Developments toward sustainable mining since project completion**

The experience of this 6-month engagement offers replicable values:

• **Academia** has a valuable role to play by virtue of expertise (Widder and Pacioni), objectivity, ability to ask questions that others cannot due to expectations in their deliverables, and access to talented labor (i.e., graduate

• **Best practices can be shared and adapted**—the companies operating in Guinea should share best practices and adapt others from comparable situations to conserve resources, engage community, and support the

• **Research is a shared value**—measuring environmental health, resources, flows, and community well-being is an opportunity for collaboration between universities and industry and will facilitate standards compliance.

• **Standards for sustainability**—consensus around international standards ensures social license to operate, improved process efficiencies, resource savings, and funding opportunities for projects with multiple beneficiaries.

Coastal mangrove rice growing has been impacted by bauxite dust released during mining. As a first step in providing opportunities for mining companies to engage in meaningful climate adaptation activities, the GCF recently approved a proposal for "Enhancing the Resilience of Guinea's Coastal Rural Communities to Coastal Erosion Due to Climate Change" (see Section 4). This proposal, submitted by UNDP-Guinea and the Chamber of Mines, represents a milestone achievement in advancing Guinea's SDG agenda beyond mandated royalties. Specifically, the Chamber of Mines pledged mining company investment to implement a paradigmshifting adaptation solution based on (a) design and adoption of an integrated coastal zone management plan; (b) a tailored combination of ecosystem-based adaptation activities, including mangrove restoration and infrastructure for coastal protection; and (c) promotion of climate-resilient livelihoods among rural communities as a buffer against climate change risk and as incentive to preserve the

