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CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
PROPOSED ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The Virgin Islands Constitution 2007 states:
“Every person has the right to an environment that is generally not harmful to his or her health or well-being and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through such laws as may be enacted by the Legislature, including laws to:
- Prevent pollution and ecological degradation
- Promote conservation; and
- Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”
EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
There are a number of laws in place to protect the environment of The Virgin Islands. Existing environmental laws can be accessed via the Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition (OPCC) Legislative Tracker.
While some environmental legislation exists, it is dated and there are many gaps in the legal framework. The proposed Environment and Climate Change Bill seeks to provide a modern and comprehensive legal framework for environmental management and response to climate change.
PROPOSED ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
The Green Paper on the proposed Environmental Management and Climate Adaptation Bill (now Environment and Climate Change Bill) outlines the Government’s approach to establishing legislation to safeguard the environment in keeping with the Constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment for every resident of The Virgin Islands. The Green Paper also outlines the mechanisms that the Territory will employ to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Improved environmental management and greater awareness of the manner in which the Territory will preserve its valuable and fragile habitats, marine ecosystems and species while building resilience to climate-related hazards are critical outcomes which will ensure the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources.
BVI Green Paper - Environmental Management and Climate Adaptation