National Environmental Policy of The Bahamas (2005).

The National Environmental Policy for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (2005) establishes a national framework for achieving sustainable development through the integrated management of environmental, social, and economic interests. The policy seeks to protect and enhance the country's natural resources, biodiversity, ecological systems, and environmental quality while supporting economic growth and improving public well-being. It recognizes that a healthy environment is fundamental to national prosperity and public health, and aims to ensure that development decisions are guided by principles of environmental stewardship, precaution, public participation, and intergenerational equity.
The policy identifies a range of environmental challenges requiring coordinated governmental action, including habitat degradation, pollution, unsustainable land use, loss of biodiversity, invasive species, and increasing pressures on coastal and marine ecosystems. Particular emphasis is placed on the protection of fragile coastal zones, wetlands, freshwater resources, and marine environments that underpin the nation's tourism and fisheries sectors. To address these concerns, the policy promotes integrated land-use planning, environmental impact assessment processes, strengthened environmental legislation, improved natural resource management, and enhanced institutional coordination among public authorities.
A further concern of the policy is the vulnerability of The Bahamas to climate change and sea-level rise, given the country's low-lying geography and dependence on coastal resources. The policy therefore encourages measures to strengthen environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness, pollution control, waste management, environmental education, and public awareness. It also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, scientific research, capacity building, and international cooperation to support informed decision-making and long-term environmental resilience. Through these actions, the policy seeks to ensure that environmental protection remains an integral component of national development planning and governance.