Dominica takes steps towards improving environmental governance

Lloyd Pascal (second from left) is representing Dominica at the meeting
Lloyd Pascal (second from left) is representing Dominica at the meeting

The first day of the Fifth Negotiating Committee Meeting of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) started on a high note as Dominica signed on to this important process geared at improving environmental governance in the region.

The announcement was made by Mr. Lloyd Pascal, Director of the Environmental Coordinating Unit in the Ministry of Environment of Dominica.
Dominica, which is the 23rd signatory to the Declaration joins fellow negotiators at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) headquarters in Santiago, Chile to continue negotiations from November 21-25, 2016.

In her address at the opening session, Ms. Andrea Sanhueza, the Elected Representative of the Public – Chile said, “The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Many of the leaders coming to power in various parts of the world are much less interested in and willing to defend the environment, protect human rights, strengthen communities or empower citizens. That is why reaching a comprehensive and binding agreement is a task that can no longer wait. We call on you (governments) to act promptly and have an agreement signed at the end of 2017. This agreement is from and for our region.”

Also addressing the opening were the Minister of Environment of Chile, Mr. Pablo Badeneir and ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Alicia Bárcena. In essence they noted that the P10 negotiations provide an opportunity for us to rethink our decision making processes and that our region can be the protagonist of this people centered approach to environmental governance, where citizens are active subjects instead of objects. Additionally, Mrs. Bárcena said this process connects environmental issues with human rights and redefines the relationship between governments, private sector, civil society and the public.

ECLAC also revealed a creative tool called “Observatory on Principle 10 in Latin America and the Caribbean”. This platform which will be launched in about 2 weeks will share information on laws, policies and ruling of environmental courts related to Principle 10. This amazing tool even shows the connection between international agreements, like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and the Climate Change Paris Agreement and Principle 10. This is essential considering that the UNFCCC and the SDGs, like Principle 10 all have their origins in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

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4 Comments

  1. Terrence Kincaid, MSc., (sustainability)
    November 24, 2016

    It is clear that for true sustainability to be achieved, our rates of consumption MUST be restricted.

    Everything we do consumes energy and releases deadly greenhouse gases which contribute towards global warming and rising oceans. Man is destroying the planet which he must serve and as a result the following global measures for the planet’s sustainability are due to be implemented soon under the UN’s various sustainability programs:-

    1) 100% and upwardly scaled increases in taxation on in all forms of energy consumption (be it solar, fossil, wind, etc.);
    2) families to be restricted to 1 child per family unit
    3) homosexuality and transgenderism to be encouraged (this reduces our population)
    4) abortions to be performed legally up to the 9th month of pregnancy
    5) everyone to to assisted to end their lives where they are a burden on the state
    6) over the age of 50, there will be no medical care available for cancer and similar diseases
    7) A tax of air purity.

  2. pedro
    November 23, 2016

    why isn’t the dominica rep not wearing a suit?

  3. troof be told
    November 23, 2016

    nonsense. what steps they going and take? and i dont want to hear a half assed plan that never gets implemented and executed. First start with the derelict vehicles along the roadsides and old boats along the coast. Start with that first. Then deal with the truckers who dump top soil anywhere, or the concrete people who pour their concrete waste in the rivers. start there first. When you are done we will give you more work. Nothing is going to be done here. we dont want the place to operate and look properly. we dont appreciate nice things for ourselves. rubbish is dumped everywhere even under signs that say dont dump or you will be fined. this place is too free. Get public works to actually work and stop patching selective pot holes. fix our roads so more of our vehicles dont break and get discarded. So many vehicles making smoke on the road. plant more trees to help keep the air clean especially in Roseau. Lloyd i hope you at least enjoyed the trip, if nothing else come out of it.

  4. Me
    November 23, 2016

    Don’t tell me, is that the same Lloyd Pascal who supported Japan’s stance on whaling? How can we trust a man like that to protect the environment? Lat week he was in Marakech (Morocco), this week in Santiago (Chile). I hope the poor man had time to change his underwear in between.
    PS. Who gets this frequent flyer miles?

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