Amid growing concern for the environment around the globe, the Government of Grenada has developed an ambitious environmental management plan for 2007.
With the environment and sustainable development becoming an increasingly complex and demanding portfolio, the Government of Grenada is responding by planning to advance a draft of environmental management and sustainable development legislation by year's end.
If passed, one of the key elements of the legislation will be the creation of an Environmental Management Authority.
Successfully passing this legislation will mark a critical turning point for Grenada on issues such as poverty, food security, environmental integrity, toxic waste, and climate change.
Though critics might suggest that this will increase the budgetary and administrative burden of a cash-strapped government, the benefits of pursuing this agenda should outweigh the costs.
In a recent National Capacity Assessment on environmental management in Grenada, one of the cross cutting capacity barriers identified was the lack of cohesion in policy, administration, and the chain of accountability when it comes to environmental management.
Under the present circumstances, this is partly because environmental management is being undertaken among a number of Ministries and government departments.
In addition to this timely goal, Minister David-Antoine outlined an ambitious agenda for her Ministry to the members of the Sustainable Development Council on February 16 th.
They include beautification; such as tree planting; as well as the removal of an estimated 600 derelict vehicles in Grenada.
Minister David-Antoine also presented plans to create an environmental information management framework which will house the plethora of documents, reports, data and information related to environmental management in one location. This 'environmental library' will include hard copy and digital information.
Public engagement is also on the agenda. The National Environment Policy and Management Strategy were developed through extensive community consultation, and this year's plans will continue along that vein, explained the Minister.
The Ministry plans to provide training to community groups to aide them in accessing funding available from the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations.
Public education is also on the agenda, with a goal to raise the level of public awareness about the urgency of environmental issues as well as empowering individuals to take action in their own lives and communities.
A communications and awareness raising toolkit has already been created, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, primary and secondary schools will be the first beneficiaries of the awareness raising activities planned for 2007.
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