Environmental Governance and Policy.pptx

Class presentation for environmental science

1. Environmental Governance and Policy Dr. HO Buenvenida

2. Natural Resources Natural resources and their management play an important role in the development of the Philippines. The environment and natural resource sector (ENR) is a key pillar in the country’s economy, with agriculture, fisheries and forestry representing about 10% of the gross domestic product and 30 % of employment .

3. Natural Resources The sustenance of the Philippines’ unique and sensitive ecosystem with its natural assets4 that make its habitats and coastal areas (in particular) both attractive and a large contributor to revenue generation is threatened by enormous pollution and environmental degradation which is exacerbated by climate change induced impacts and risks from natural disasters

4. Environmental Governance Environment governance plays an important role in the sustainable development of a country as discussed in this literature review. Ostrom (Ostrom, 2008), refers to the “environment” as the immediate area surrounding a particular setting or to the global atmosphere. Environmental governance encompasses both legal and non-legal issues, extending beyond environmental law to multidisciplinary issues like ecology, ethics, sociology, politics and economics.

5. Environmental Governance Environmental problems are interdisciplinary in nature therefore solutions to these extend beyond the scope of environment law and regulation. Kotze (2012) suggests “Governance can act as a bridging concept between law, political science, environmental sciences, management theory and sociology” (p. 13). Martin ( 2012) highlights that environment governance comprises the rules, practices, policies and institutions that influence how humans interact with the environment. It also takes into account the role of all actors, from governments to nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the private sector and civil society.

6. Environmental Governance Environment governance encompasses mechanisms and procedures to protect and restore natural resources and distribute resulting costs and benefits. Laws and policies enable balancing interests of various sections of society to contribute towards sustainability (Martin, 2012).

7. Resource Management Policy The emergence of community-based approaches to natural resource management in the mid-1970s9 was the beginning of environment governance in the Philippines. Community-based resource management was a means to address the accelerated loss in forest cover, depletion of fishery resources, degradation of coastal environment, loss in species and biodiversity together with loss of livelihood and displacement of communities.

8. REPUBLIC ACT 9003 ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000 In partnership with stakeholders, the law aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure the protection of public health and environment. The law ensures proper segregation, collection, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adaptation of best eco-waste products. REPUBLIC ACT 9275 PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004 The law aims to protect the country's water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). It provides for comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders. REPUBLIC ACT 8749 PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999 The law aims to achieve and maintain clean air that meets the National Air Quality guideline values for criteria pollutants, throughout the Philippines, while minimizing the possible associated impacts to the economy.

9. REPUBLIC ACT 6969 TOXIC SUBSTANCES, HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTE CONTROL ACT OF 1990 The law aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures the present unreasonable risk to human health. It likewise prohibits the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate research and studies on toxic chemicals. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1586 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) STATEMENT OF 1978   The Environment Impact Assessment System was formally established in 1978 with the enactment of Presidential Decree no. 1586 to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of rational and orderly balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection. EIA is a planning and management tool that will help government, decision makers, the proponents and the affected community address the negative consequences or risks on the environment. The process assures implementation of environment-friendly projects.