Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development

Flashcards reviewing key concepts from a lecture on environmental policy, sustainable development, and nature-based solutions.

What three elements are protected by environmental policy?

Human health and well-being, environmental quality, and natural resources.

In a democratic system, how are environmental policies theoretically established?

Through negotiation and compromise, with elected representatives defending policies that benefit their constituents.

Besides public interest groups, what is another driver of policy making?

Influence held by economic interest groups, industry associations and powerful individuals whom often have access to lawmakers.

Name three Philippine environmental laws.

Clean Air Act (R.A. 8749), Clean Water Act (R.A. 9275), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (R.A. 9003).

What is the purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1152, series of 1977, or the Philippine Environment Code (PEC)?

It serves as a framework in the launching of a comprehensive program of environmental protection and management.

What does R.A. 8749, the Clean Air Act (1999), regulate?

Air emissions.

What does R.A. 9275, the Clean Water Act (2004), protect?

Surface water from pollution from land-based sources.

What does R.A. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (2001), protect?

The country’s wildlife resources and their habitats.

What does R.A. 6969 known as the Toxic Substances, Hazardous & Nuclear Waste Control Act (1990) address?

hazardous wastes & sites. aims to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures which present unreasonable risk to human health.

What does P.D. 1586, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System (1978) seek to balance?

Balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection

What is the purpose of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES, 1973)?

To protect wild flora and fauna that are threatened by human activities and trade.

What is the goal of the Montreal Protocol (1987)?

To protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of chemicals that deplete it.

What does the Basel Convention (1992) restrict.

The shipment of hazardous waste across boundaries.

What is the aim of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994)?

For governments to share data on climate change, improve national plans for directing greenhouse gases, and collaborate to adapt to climate change; encouraged a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

What are Nations expected to do who are signatories of the Kyoto Protocol (1997)?

Reduce GHG emissions.

Define sustainable development.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Environmental protection, economic viability, and social equity.

Define Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.

List some of the IUCN's seven major societal challenges that NbS can address.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, economic and social development, human health, food security, water security, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.