ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
=======================
Working Document
Vision Statement to guide implementation of The St George�s Declaration Of Principles For
Environmental Sustainability In The OECS
At the Third Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Environment Policy Committee (September 1999) OECS Ministers of The Environment requested that the OECS Natural Resources Management Unit (NRMU) prepare an "OECS Charter for Environmental Management" and "a regional strategy...that will become the framework for environmental management" in the region. In accordance with the Ministers' request, OECS NRMU developed the St. George's Declaration Of Principles For Environmental Sustainability In The OECS, which was signed by Ministers in April 2001 and which sets out the broad framework to be pursued for environmental management in the OECS region.
The OECS Environmental Management Strategy has been developed within the framework of the St. George's Declaration of Principles For Environmental Sustainability In The OECS as the document through which that Declaration will be implemented.
The central challenge for environmental management in the OECS States is to ensure levels of environmental quality that maximise opportunity for economic and social development for present and future generations, without compromising the integrity and sustainability of biological diversity, environmental and cultural assets. The Vision for environmental management in the OECS is informed by the draft OECS Development Strategy, insofar as the achievement of economic growth, international competitiveness and improved quality of life are largely dependent on the appreciation and management of the environment.
Reasons for the declining level of environmental quality in the OECS States are varied, but include:
1) Lack of awareness of the consequences of human activities on the environment and the extent to which economic activities depend on the environment.
2) Limited data on which to base decisions affecting the environment.
3) Disasters triggered by natural phenomena, but the extent of whose environmental impacts are a function of earlier environmentally inappropriate human activity.
4) Desire for short-term financial benefits at the expense of greater longer term economic benefits.
5) Inadequate integration of environmental costs into the economic and financial rationale for actions.
Human activity and behaviour are the common themes of these factors, at both the individual and societal levels. If initiatives to enhance environmental management are to be successful they must therefore target changed human activity and behaviour in the context of how those activities behaviours impact the environment. The challenge is great - but in all OECS countries a start has already been made. Based on the successes already achieved, it is clear that a positive outcome is achievable.
The OECS Environmental Management Strategy is a planning document and as such it seeks to maintain focus on the most critically needed actions needed to give effect to each of the principles identified in the St. George's Declaration Of Principles For Environmental Sustainability In The OECS.
Within the OECS Environmental Management Strategy, the following are identified with respect to giving effect to each Principle:
1) A brief statement on the result to be achieved in giving effect to the Principle and the rationale for the desired result
2) Indicative actions to be undertaken at the national, regional and international levels together with strategic indicators that will be monitored to determine whether the results are being achieved.
3) Institutions through which actions at the national, regional and international levels should be implemented.
At the level of the OECS region, the agency with primary responsibility for coordinating implementation of the OECS Environmental Management Strategy will be the OECS Secretariat through its Natural Resources Management Unit (NRMU). Other regional agencies will also have key roles to play. Specific activities undertaken by the NRMU will be defined in consultation with OECS Associate and Member States. The mechanism that the OECS NRMU will use to implement actions in the Strategy assigned to the OECS-NRMU, will initially be five-year operational plans developed in consultation with the OECS Associate and Member States. The first of these operational plans will cover the period 2002 - 2006. The plans will establish priorities from among the actions identified in the Strategy as well as means for implementation. Results will be monitored and reported to the OECS Environmental Policy Committee annually.
At the national level, it is intended that each OECS Associate and Member States will develop a National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS). Each NEMS will draw on the OECS Environmental Management Strategy and will articulate priorities and means of implementation at the national level. Each year, it is intended that OECS Associate and Member States will develop annual work plans that will articulate the specific tasks, timing, resources and objectives necessary to give effect to its NEMS.
This approach will provide for:
1) Achievement of high levels of environmental quality and sustainable environmental management within which national development aspirations can be reached.
2) Results-oriented and coordinated national strategies and actions within the context of a regional strategy and work programme that has itself been developed in response.
Each Principle has:
1) A brief statement on the result to be achieved in giving effect to the principle and the fundamental reason for it
2) The indicative actions to be undertaken at the national, regional and international levels;
3) Strategic indicators that will be monitored to determine whether the results are being achieved
4) Institutions through which actions at the national, regional and international levels should be implemented.
The Strategy will be implemented through national action plans and annual work programmes, which will further detail the specific tasks to be completed. These work plans will also be accompanied by implementation schedules and budgets. Building on this approach, Member States should refer to this Strategy when developing priorities for annual sector work plans and when reviewing annual progress. Member States are also encouraged to draw on this Strategy when developing and/or updating their National Environmental Management Strategies or any such other strategies that they may be required to prepare under various international conventions. The Strategy sets out a framework within which issues and actions can be selected according to national development priorities. The Strategy must therefore be integral to development planning and policy making in each of the Member States.
Principle 1 - Foster Improvement in the Quality of Life
Principle 2 - Integrate Social, Economic and Environmental Considerations into National Development
Policies, Plans and Programmes
Principle 3 - Improve on Legal and Institutional Frameworks
Principle 4 - Ensure Meaningful Participation by Civil Society in Decision Making
Principle 5 - Ensure Meaningful Participation By The Private Sector
Principle 6 - Use Economic Instruments for Sustainable Environmental Management
Principle 7 - Foster Broad-based Environmental Education, Training and Awareness
Principle 8 - Address the Causes and Impacts of Climate Change
Principle 9 - Prevent and Manage the Causes and Impacts of Disaster
Principle 10 - Prevent and Control Pollution and Manage Waste
Principle 11 - Ensure the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Principle 12 - Protect Cultural and Natural Heritage
Principle 13 - Protect and Conserve Biological Diversity
Principle 14 - Recognise Relationships between Trade and Environment
Principle 15 - Promote Cooperation in Science and Technology
Principle 16 - Manage and Conserve Energy
Principle 17 - Negotiate and Implement Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements
Principle 18 - Coordinate Assistance from the International Community towards the Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States
Principle 19 - Implementation and Monitoring
Principle 20 - Obligations of Member States
DECISIONMAKING RESULT DESIRED
Civil society stakeholders are informed and actively participate at all levels in environmental management and sustainable development initiatives.
RATIONALE
Community interaction and consultation are integral to environmental management. It is therefore necessary to provide avenues for the expression of ideas, and the exchange of information and between States, organisations, communities and individuals, as well as facilitating their effective participation in the formulation, adoption and execution of decisions affecting their lives. Participatory planning facilitates more responsive economic, social and environmental policy and programmes and therefore contributes to enhanced chances of successful development initiatives.
INDICATIVE ACTIONS
AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL
1) Develop and implement policies and plans for increasing access to information.
2) Produce user friendly and timely information on environment management issues.
3) Identify a clearinghouse and coordination mechanism to facilitate information sharing and access by civil society
4) Review and amend existing legislation to ensure effective participation by civil society in decision-making.
5) Establish mechanisms to ensure participation, including feedback and comments, from all levels of civil society stakeholders
AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL
1) Facilitate training in participatory approaches for natural resources management.
2) Support the establishment of mechanisms to ensure participatory arrangements for community mobilization
3) Identify a clearinghouse coordination and information mechanism to facilitate increasing access by and feedback from civil society.
AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
1) Assist in identification of obstacles that impact the participation of civil society in decision-making related to environmental management and sustainable development.
2) Assist in identification of methodologies that ensure participation by civil society stakeholders in environmental management and sustainable development.
INDICATORS
1) Frameworks developed and adopted to provide for civil society participation in environmental management and sustainable development initiatives
RESPONSIBLE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
International financial agencies
Bilateral and multinational development agencies
Other regional and international agencies
NATIONAL LEVEL INSTITUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Government information services
Government documentation centres
Media establishments
Civil society organisations and agencies
Agencies responsible for environmental management, infrastructure planning and implementation
Public libraries.
