Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development

Environmental Policy

• Includes policies, practices, and laws designed to protect human health, environmental quality, and natural resources.

• Established through negotiation and compromise in a democratic system.

Drivers of Policy Making

• Power & Influence: Economic interest groups and industry associations have direct access to lawmakers.

• Public Interest Groups: Balance power by gathering support, organizing campaigns, raising awareness.

• Citizen movements can have far-reaching effects.

Policy Creation

• Ongoing and cyclic process:

  • Identify problem → Set agenda → Develop proposals → Build support → Enact law → Implement policy → Evaluate results → Suggest changes.

  • Building support is central to policy development.

Major Philippine Environmental Laws

• P.D. 1152 (Philippine Environment Code): Framework for environmental protection and management.

• P.D. 1586 Environmental Impact Statement System (1978): Requires Environmental Compliance Certificate for critical projects through Environmental Impact Assessment.

• R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances, Hazardous & Nuclear Waste Control Act (1990): Addresses hazardous wastes and sites.

• R.A. 7586 National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (1992): Declares protected areas and provides for their management. Amended by R.A. 11038 Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.

• R.A. 8550 Philippine Fisheries Code (1998): Manages and conserves fisheries and aquatic resources.

• R.A. 8749 Clean Air Act (1999): Regulates air emissions

• R.A. 9147 Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (2001): Conserves and protects wildlife resources and habitats.

• R.A. 9275 Clean Water Act (2004): Protects surface water from pollution.

International Environmental Policies

• Over 170 treaties and conventions to protect the global environment.

• Major international meetings: 1972 UN Conference (Stockholm), 1992 Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro).

Important International Treaties

• CITES (1973): Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Maintains a list of threatened and endangered species.

• Montreal Protocol (1987): Protects the ozone layer by phasing out harmful chemicals.

• Basel Convention (1992): Restricts shipment of hazardous waste across boundaries.

• Rotterdam Convention (1997): Restricts shipment of industrial chemicals and pesticides.

• UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994): Encourages reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

• Kyoto Protocol (1997): Sets targets for signatories to reduce GHG emissions; stricter restrictions on developed countries.

Sustainable Development

• Meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

• Implies economic growth with improved living conditions through non-consumptive activities and managed renewable resources.

  _{17 SDG’s}

  1. No Poverty

  2. Zero Hunger

  3. Good Health and Well-Being

  4. Quality Education

  5. Gender Equality

  6. Clean Water and Sanitation

  7. Affordable and Clean Energy

  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  10. Reduced Inequalities

  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

  12. Responsible Consumption and Production

  13. Climate Action

  14. Life Below Water

  15. Life on Land

  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  17. Partnerships for the Goals

Three Pillars of Sustainability

• Environmental - involves managing resources and reducing pollution

• Social - focuses on equity, justice and community well-being

• Economic - requires businesses to balance profit with environmental and social considerations

Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

• Actions to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems that address societal challenges.

• Meets human needs while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services.

• 2 Main Purposes of Conservation

  1. Protect nature for its own value - saving endangered species for their ecological value

  2. Harnessing nature to help people - using forests, wetlands to reduce disasters and improve lives.

Challenges 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