National Policy on Environmental Management Systems – in pursuit of a green economy.

The National Policy on Environmental Management Systems is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. This Policy lays down strategies for the implementation, certification, monitoring and evaluation of environmental management systems in all sectors of the economy at the national and local levels.
A Working Group on environmental management systems will be established, consisting of varying industry stakeholders from the public and private sectors, to guide the implementation of the policy. Appropriate market-based instruments will be developed, such as establishment of an EMS Fund, reduction in fees based on environmental legislation as incentives for operations which are in compliance with EMS standards, and establishment of a Rewards and Recognition Scheme to give public recognition for outstanding environmental performance under the EMS. The National Environment and Planning Agency’s capacity will be increased to facilitate effective monitoring and enforcement of environmental legislation and facilitate improved environmental performance. To this end, an EMS Resource and Implementation Centre will be established within the National Environment and Planning Agency. In addition to that, a framework will be developed for reporting environmental performance for EMS by the National Environment and Planning Agency. The number of private sector organizations that are implementing EMS and attaining related local and international green certification will be increased, in order to facilitate the country’s transition towards a green economy, including the increased competitiveness of the private sector through their implementation of ‘green’ initiatives. Environmental considerations will be integrated into the public sector by introducing EMS programmes and principles to ministries, departments and agencies in an effort to improve the environmental stewardship of Government operations. Awareness will be raised on EMS principles to effect behavioural change with respect to sound environmental stewardship practices within the society. In addition to that, EMS training and sensitization will be promoted continuously to foster changes in values and attitudes towards environmental issues among the youth, and to encourage consumers to demand environmentally friendly goods and services.