Port of Spain- The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and Department of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development in Saint Lucia engaged government, civil society and private sector stakeholders to input into a national workshop to enhance Saint Lucia’s environmental legislation from June 26-27, 2018.

The national workshop aimed to develop two new pieces of legislation, including a Climate Change Bill and Environmental Management Bill for Saint Lucia. The proposed Climate Change Bill provides a framework for ensuring intersectoral coordination and financing for effective planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. The proposed Environmental Management Bill serves as umbrella legislation that addresses a range of key environmental issues, including biodiversity and protected areas, coastal zone and marine management, pollution, environmental approvals, monitoring and enforcement as well as climate change. In opening remarks at the workshop, the Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer, Ms. Annette Rattigan-Leo, highlighted that: “The legislation will provide support in helping the Department lead the process of achieving sustainable development by facilitating an integrated and participatory approach to governance and promoting environmental management“…[+]