National Environmental Policy

The goal of the National Environmental Policy is environmentally sustainable development, meaning the balance of economic growth with environmentally sound practices in order to enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of present and future generations. The specific objectives of the Policy are to: Prevent, reduce or where possible recycle all forms of pollution to ensure adequate protection of the environment and consequently the health and well-being of humans; Conserve the vitality and diversity of the natural environment through the conservation of ecological systems and the biodiversity within; Develop within the carrying capacity (the assimilative capacity of the environment) of the country through national physical development and planning; and the sustainable use of renewable resources and the conservation of non-renewable resources; Change attitudes and practices of citizens with a view to reducing the polluting practices of the public; Ensure that all industries install a certified Environmental Management System; Empower stakeholders, including communities, to care for their own environments by providing opportunities to share in managing their local resources and the right to participate in decision-making; Promote the integration of the principles of environmental sustainable development into all national policies and programmes.