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Environmental Sustainability. Presented by Indarjit Ramdass Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana. Environmental Sustainability (ES). ES is one of the three pillars of sustainable development.
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Environmental Sustainability Presented by IndarjitRamdass Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana
Environmental Sustainability (ES) • ES is one of the three pillars of sustainable development. • ES is a state where the human demands placed on the environment can be met without reducing its capacity to allow people to live well, now and in the future. • Strong evidence exists globally, that: • Man is exceeding and eroding the earth's ES in some extractive activities; • There are limits to ES on a finite planet; and • Environmental effects are: interactive, complex, unpredictable and escalating.
Environmental Governance (EG) • Environmental Governance : • Is a pre-requisite for environmental sustainability; • Safeguards natural resources and people against environmental threats; and • Shapes how humans interact with the environment through rules; practices; policies; and, institutions.
Environmental Governance in Guyana • An environmental governance regime exists in Guyana which comprises legal and institutional frameworks, as well as, practices and policies to engage relevant stakeholders. • The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has overarching responsibilities for Environmental Governance in Guyana. • The Environmental Protection Agency is the principal institution leading Environmental Governance in Guyana. • Sector Agencies oversee Environmental Governance of specific sectors, e.g. GGMC oversees EG of mineral and petroleum resources.
Environmental Governance in Guyana - Legislation • The Environmental Protection Act (No. 11, 1996) is the principal legislation for environmental governance in Guyana. • A suite of five Environmental Protection Regulations (2000) developed under the EP Act (1996) supports the implementation of Environmental Governance. • Specific Acts and Regulations aid environmental governance of the different sectors.
Environmental Governance – Policies and Practices in Guyana • Policies for Environmental Governance are entrenched in the National Constitution; and the National Environmental Action Plans I and II. • Legislative policy on Environmental Governance is embodied in the EP Act (1996). • Practices for Environmental Governance are implemented and enforced by the EPA. • Sector Agencies have responsibility for enforcing sector specific Environmental Governance practices .
Environmental Governance Practices • Environmental Governance Practices implemented by the EPA are integrated in its environmental management processes. • Four EM practices are implemented by the EPA: • Environmental Permitting • Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement • Complaints Management • Emergency Response
Environmental Authorization Process • The Environmental Authorization Process is provided for under Part IV of the EPA Act (1996) and the Environmental Protection Regulations (2000). • Governs the authorization and monitoring of: • New developments • Existing developmental activities • Monitoring of Authorized Activities • Monitoring of Unauthorized Activities • Four (4) types of environmental authorizations are granted: • No objection letters • Construction Permits • Environmental Permits • Operational Permits (For Existing Developments)
Environmental Assessment Board • Established under the EP Act 1996, Part IV, 18, • Is an Independent Body • Oversees the EIA and Appeals Process • Conducts Public Hearings as part of the Environmental Authorization Process • Makes recommendations to the Agency.
Environmental Management and Industry • All developments are required under the EP Act (1996) to apply for Environmental Authorization. • Environmental Management is typically a condition of Environmental Authorization. • Environmental Authorization is granted only if the EPA and EAB approve of the methods of mitigation of environmental impacts proposed by a developer. • Methods of mitigation of environmental impacts of a development are usually presented in an Environmental Management Plan or in an ESIA Report.
Responsibilities of Industry • Developers are responsible for meeting the conditions of their Environmental Authorizations. • Under the EP Act and its attendant Regulations, developers shall face penalties when in breach of the conditions of their Permits. • The Polluter Pays Principle operates as it relates to accidents that lead to pollution. • Social Impacts and their mitigation are addressed in the ESIA and the Environmental Authorization Process.
Engagement of Affected Communities • Communities are engaged as part of the Environmental Authorization Process. • Public Notices are used to inform of: proposed Projects; EPA’s decision or not of an ESIA; and Consultation Meetings. • Consultations are conducted with communities before and after an ESIA is conducted. • The EAB is responsible for holding the consultations - the ESIA consultants inform the communities of the project and answer questions.
Engagement of Communities cont’d Challenges: • Attendance at scoping meetings has generally tended to be low. • Public feedback is often not focused on the Project. • There is inadequate awareness at all levels. • In indigenous communities, language and technical barriers may inhibit full participation in consultations.
Sustainable Development and the Extractive Sector • Some good practices in the extractive sector would include: • Standards for Environmental Sustainability must of necessity be met. • Any compromises on environmental standards must never be at the detriment of human health and safety. • Mechanisms to ensure that local culture and norms are respected must be established and followed. • Dialogue , discussion, debate is key to finding the balance among the environmental, social and economic dimensions of the extractive sector.
