Regional workshop on "Current status of legal and institutional framework for sustainable land management in Latin America and the Caribbean"

Gaius EudoxieTrinidad and Tobago

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

127 – 30 June 2016,Ibague, Columbia

Outline

• Country• Specific legislation regulating Sustainable Soil

Management (MSS)• Non specific legislation addressing the issue of

conservation, management and soil protection• Institutions and responsibilities• Institutional framework that implements existing

legislation• Legislative Gaps• Opportunities

2

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

3

Twin Island StateArea: 5128 km2

Population: ~ 1.3 MillionPhysiography: Mountains and PlainsClimate: Tropical (wet/ dry season)

Specific legislation regulating Sustainable Soil Management (MSS)

• There is no existing legislation specific to soil management• However,• National Action Plan to Combat Land

Degradation (UNCCD)• Section 33.9 indicates that soils are not

managed and protected effectively as a non-renewable resource, with ever increasing demand and pressure coming from all productive and socio-economic sectors. 4

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

Non specific legislation addressing the issue of conservation, management and soil protection

• Environmental Management Act, 2000• National Environmental Policy, 2006• National Spatial Development Strategy, 2013• Climate Change Policy, 2011• National Forestry Policy, 2011• Food and Agricultural Policy, 1994• National Water resources Policy, 2002• Agricultural Fires Act, 1965 5

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

National Environmental Policy, 2009• Referenced in the EMA Act, 2000• Provides the broadest framework covering

resource management and guides many of the more specific policies. It focuses on sustainable use of environmental assets towards economic development. • Many environmental assets are specifically

mentioned within the policy including water, air, biodiversity, and land, but mention is not made of soil. The latter is probably subsumed under land.

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

6

National Spatial Development Strategy, 2013• The NSDS provides a

refreshing, distinct geospatial policy framework addressing land resources. It incorporates and builds on the NEP, CCP and the NAP, targeting strategic sustainable development through integrated planning.

• Policy 13 addresses the sustainable use of natural resources, but similarly fails to recognise soil as a significant resource.

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

7

Institutions and Responsibilities

• Various Ministries with at times overlapping responsibilities with input based on land use and interrelated resources• Agriculture|Environment|Public Utilities|

Energy• Environmental Management Agency• Educational institutions• Private and public sector organisations

8

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

Institutional Framework that Implements Existing Regulations

• Ministerial and Statutory Authorities• Green Fund Regulation, 2007• Remediation and Reforestation, • Environmental education • Conservation

• Minerals Act, 2000• Rehabilitation bond for abandon or exhausted mines

• Agriculture Incentives Programme, 2011• National Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme• Community Environmental and Protection Enhancement

Programme• Regional and International Partners

9

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

Legislative Gaps

• Soil has no CHAMPION• Policy framework for land (not soil) management is

highly fragmented• Responsibilities distributed among many

government departments and statutory authorities• Inhibits systematic application of policies• No coordinating mechanism to facilitate synergies

and cooperation• National committee on soil management

• Limited capacity (human and financial)

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

10

Opportunities

• Caribbean Steering Committee (CARICOM level)• Caribbean Soil Congress

• Impact National Agendas

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

11

Thank You!

Latin

Am

erica

and

the

Carib

bean

Soi

l Par

tner

ship

12