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National Environmental Policy and Strategies

Country/Territory
Zimbabwe
Document type
Date
2009
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Environment gen.
Keyword
Agricultural land Biodiversity Capacity building Community management Environmental planning Environmental standards Farming Governance Human rights Policy/planning Polluter pays principle Sustainable development Sustainable use
Geographical area
Africa, AFRICA FAO, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Countries
Abstract

Among other components, this Policy is informed by the concepts of sustainable development and the ecosystem approach as a means of integrating social, economic and environmental relationships. The Policy provides that to enable sustainable development, a framework of incentives, enabling and regulatory measures, and other provisions is needed to support these activities in ways that generate net benefits and safeguard opportunities for future generations. As such, the vision of the Policy is to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of the people of Zimbabwe. The goal of the policy is to avoid irreversible environmental damage, maintain essential environmental processes, and preserve the broad spectrum of biological diversity so as to sustain the long-term ability of natural resources to meet the basic needs of people, enhance food security, reduce poverty and improve the standard of living of Zimbabweans through long-term economic growth and the creation of employment. The goal essentially places the environment at the centre of efforts to create economic opportunities for people in Zimbabwe. The Policy proposes several objectives to achieving the goal, including; conserve biodiversity and maintain the natural resource base and basic environmental processes to enhance environmental sustainability; promote equitable access to and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources with an emphasis on satisfying basic needs, improving people’s standard of living, enhancing food security and reducing poverty; encourage sustainable development by optimizing the use of resources and energy, and minimizing irreversible environmental damage, waste production and pollution, through incorporating provisions for environmental assessment and management in all economic and development activities; promote public participation and a sense of responsibility for the environment through environmental education and awareness and by promoting environmentally sustainable lifestyles; establish and support an effective institutional framework, committed to sustainable development and able to collate and manage environmental information; and promote national interests by cooperating in drawing up and implementing international environmental agreements and collaborating with neighboring countries on trans-boundary environmental issues. The rights and principles guiding the Policy include; the elements of environment are linked and interrelated and environmental management must be integrated; environmental management shall place people at the forefront of its concern; polluter pays principle; among others.

Full text
English
Website
www.swm-programme.info