Cant, Richard – Water & Sewage Corp. Ferguson, Collimae – Port Department Gibson, Cyprian – Water & Sewage Corp

By Cant, Richard – Water & Sewage Corp. Ferguson, Collimae – Port Department Gibson, Cyprian – Water & Sewage Corp. Major, Micheal – Physical Planning Miller, Duane - BNGIS Rolle, Arthur – Dept. of Meteorology Stewart, Deon – BEST Commission Williams, Montez – Min. of the Environment Williamson, Brent – B.E.C Zonicle, Charles – Subdivision Section

Table of Contents Our understanding of Environmental Sustainability Objectives Guiding principles for Strategies for Prevention Strategies for Prevention Timeframe and implementation for Prevention Priority Actions for Prevention Guiding Principles for the Strategies for Conservation Strategies for Conservation Timeframe and Implementation for Conservation Priority Actions for Conservation Strategy to integrate Environment into policies, plans, programmes and development project decisions Integration of the environment into polices, plans, programmes and development planning

Our understanding of environmental sustainability? Environmental sustainability is the ability to enhance and sustain quality of life through management and protection of our natural resources (waters, land, air, minerals, plants and animals) and conservation of our ecosystems and biodiversity

Objectives Prevent, reduce or eliminate various forms of pollution to ensure adequate protection of the environment and the Health of citizens and guest of The Bahamas (recall the reaction of American visitors and athletes to the air pollution in China). 2. Conserve the biological diversity of the country and the stability, integrity, resilience, and productivity of ecosystems. 3. Provide for the environment to be fully integrated in policies, plans, programmes, and development project decisions that might be detrimental to the continued health, safety and productivity of the environment, the quality of life for all people the livability and beauty of the environment.

Guiding principles for Strategies of Prevention • Respect and care for the community of life; • Change of personal attitudes and practices; • Improve the quality of Human life • Empower Communities to care for their own • environment

Develop pollution prevention education ; remove all barriers to the use of source reduction; incorporate pollution source reduction in a policy statement for all sectors. Encourage and actively support voluntary pollution prevention initiatives by communities through partnership agreements. Improve infrastructural facilities such as sewerage, solid waste disposal, energy recovery systems and transportation; Review existing or implement new laws and enforcement mechanisms for prevention and control of indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes; require environmental impact assessment at the planning stage for the selection of sites for location of industries; etc.

5. Provide incentives (reduction/elimination of tariffs, low interest loans, appreciation certificates and awards) to industries and communities that participate in voluntary programs promoting waste reduction, recycling and energy conservation e.g. establishing a list of “green” hotels, guest houses, etc.

The Ministry of the Environment (MTE) will implement these strategies by making every effort to move towards the target of cessation of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances; and making available data on air and water quality by the third quarter of 2009. The strategies will be implemented and developed in line with the BEST Commission’s, Department of Environmental Health Services, Department of Physical Planning, Water and Sewage Corporation, Port Department and Department of Meteorology’s mandates

National Awareness Campaigns for creating environmental awareness in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism Coastal Awareness initiatives; A cleanup campaign, resource recovery and posting of bins in places for various recycling programs by the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS); Establish a National Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Authority by the BEST Commission; The Department of Physical Planning, DEHS and the BEST Commission will rigorously review or conduct environmental impact assessment on any pending investment decisions and site selection to ensure choice of practicable clean technologies for energy production and processes including waste utilizations; treatment and disposal of solid wastes, and emissions;

Department of Meteorology to monitor air quality, ultra-violet radiation and ozone measurements; The Department of Physical Planning to liaise with the Building Control Division, Subdivision and cCivil Design Sections to consider and incorporate the Building energy Code as part of the Bahamas Building Code, Town Planning Regulations and Subdivision Regulations. National awareness of law/ policy providing fiscal incentives to industries for pollution control and for reduction of wastes

The Strategies embrace the following principles as a guide: • Conserving the diversity, integrity and productivity of natural • resources; • Keeping within the country’s carrying capacity; • Changing personal attitudes and practices; • Improving the quality of human life • Empower Communities to care for their own Environments • Intergenerational equity

Educate the public about natural resources issues and involve them in resource management decisions; Develop or support existing programs that support hunting, recreational boating, wildlife watching, soil and water conservation, land and water planning and management, public access, and technical assistance to protect and sustain citizen’s enjoyment of natural resources; Develop an action plan for protection and rehabilitation of mangrove forests with the participation of local communities Institute an integrated stewardship and management program in conjunction with NGO’s to assess the carrying capacity of ecosystems and to provide long-term conservation of natural resources; Enforcement and expansion of laws and regulations that restrict mining and quarrying activities insensitive areas as hill slopes, areas of natural springs and areas rich in biological diversity.

6. Prepare and implement integrated coastal zone management plans for the protection of marine life. 7. Carry out Environmental Impact assessment at the planning stage and selection of sites for particular types of residential and industrial developments. 8. Place a restriction on introduction of exotic species of animals and plants without adequate investigations. 9. Integrate environment and disaster risk considerations into sustainable development planning.

The MTE will implement these strategies by making every effort to introduce or approve legislation to conserve the diversity, integrity and productivity of natural resources by year 2011. The strategies will be implemented and developed in line with the BEST Commission’s, Non-Governmental Organizations, Physical Planning, Botanical Gardens, Department of Environmental Health Services, Water and Sewage, BNGIS and Port Department’s mandates; and United Nations Conventions

Implement or improve policies for regulatory and promotional measures such as Forestry (Conservation) Act, Environment Act, Integrated Watershed and Coastal Zone Management Act , a National Water Conservation Policy, a National Energy Policy, a Marine Policy and updated regulations and enforcement of the Mine and Quarrying Act ; Restoration of heritage sites and buildings; Develop a zoning strategy for allocation of land for designated uses based on the needs of the entire community (e.9. industrial, commercial, recreation, residential, etc.). Use of GIS to provide spatial information on hazards to assist in the design of preventative structure to mitigate and adapt to climate change and catastrophic events; Implement the National Climate Change Policy and Action plan;

Create new national parks and protected areas; Regularize the Bahamas National Geographic Information Systems (BNGIS) Department; Create or strengthen mechanisms for the certification and industry enforcement for professionals who affect the environment (Contractors, engineers, Architects, inspectors, etc). Strengthen research and development efforts in materials in information and material technologies and remote sensing tailored to local communities; Strengthen the managerial capacity of NGO’s through regional training programmes; Engage women at the grass root level to be actively involved in conservation programmes;

Adopt and implement the relevant decisions of Agenda 21; the Millennium Development Goals; the World Summit on Sustainable Development; the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan of the Water and Sewage Corporation; the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Bali Action Plan; Develop National Strategies for Sustainable Development; Maintain the link between the Caribbean Challenge and Global island Partnership Initiative;

Enforcing the environmental impact assessment related provisions to an expandedlist of development projects; (integration of environment into development planning)‏ • Existing environmental legislation to be revised and new legislation enacted where required and appropriate; (legislation and regulatory framework)‏ • Development of a national environmental information management system to provide accurate and timely information for informed decision –making as well as ensuring public access to environmental information; (capacity development);

Offering incentives ,including reduced tariffs, concessions or other incentives (such as environment and energy award) to the private and public sector for compliance with environmental laws; (economic and market based instruments); • Integrating environmental education into all levels of curricula and syllabi from primary to university levels; (public awareness and education) • Promoting public-private partnership for expansion and improvement of environmental services such as sewage treatment and disposal; efficient transport; and energy production ; (public-private-civil society partnership)‏

Thanks You For Your Attention

Cant, Richard – Water & Sewage Corp. Ferguson, Collimae – Port Department Gibson, Cyprian – Water & Sewage Corp