Resolution No. 300 of 2021 regarding the adoption of the organizational structure and competencies of the Ministry of Environment and the organization of its administrative apparatus.

This Resolution consisting of 34 articles aims at approving the organizational structure of the Ministry of Environment as well as determing its powers and administrative body. Under Article 2, the Ministry of Environment is tasked with a comprehensive array of responsibilities, including (i) proposing and implementing environmental plans; (ii) supervising sanitation programs; (iii) keeping abreast of scientific advancements; (iv) collaborating internationally to address pollution; (v) conducting awareness campaigns; (vi) registering chemical materials, performing environmental inspections; (vii) monitoring water sources; (viii) granting permits; (ix) evaluating genetic engineering impacts; (x) proposing protected areas; (xi) coordinating with national committees and international agreements; (xii) preparing emergency response plans; (xiii) supporting environmental initiatives; (xiv) proposing legislation; (xv) conducting research. The Minister of Environment serves as the Ministry's legal representative and oversees its policy direction, with authority to issue decisions and instructions, appoint and dismiss department heads, sign contracts and agreements, approve financial documents, issue directives for implementation, represent the Ministry in various forums, form technical committees, authorize expenditures, manage employment affairs. Article 6 deals with the organizational divisions and offices of the Ministry. Articles 7 to 31 delineate the roles and responsibilities of individual departments and offices, in particular (i) the Department of Environmental Projects and Investment is responsible for preparing project specifications, overseeing implementation, establishing maintenance standards, executing environmental sanitation and renewable energy projects, proposing project budgets, generating progress reports (article 10); (ii) the Environmental Emergency Department oversees national plans for environmental disasters, coordinates with relevant entities for sectoral emergency plans, conducts surveys on pollution, develops management strategies, contributes to awareness programs, monitors international agreements, identifies training needs; (article 13); (iii) the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Department conducts inspections, proposes technical solutions to reduce pollution, monitors pollutants, coordinates with entities for pollution reduction programs, provides guidance for inspections, contributes to strategic planning (article 14); (iv) the Environmental Prevention and Health Department ensures regulatory compliance, monitors radioactive materials, regulates chemical and pesticide trade, coordinates international agreements, updates public health regulations, contributes to disease control, develops pollution reduction plans, monitors genetically modified products, preserves parks and beaches, promotes environmental awareness (article 16); (v) the Natural Environment Management Department is responsible for strategizing national plans for biodiversity conservation, monitoring and protecting biodiversity in marine and terrestrial environments, contributing to habitat preservation and rehabilitation, proposing protected area sites, regulating and monitoring protected areas, implementing international agreements, updating national biodiversity projects, preparing legislative drafts, developing a biodiversity database, promoting environmental awareness (article 17); (vi) the Environmental Assessment and Permitting Department oversees issuing environmental guidelines, evaluating impact studies for projects, ensuring project compliance, supervising environmental research, evaluating registration applications, renewing permits, monitoring research, proposing surveys, studying environmental situations (article 18); (vii) the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department oversees the development of national strategies to address climate change, monitors global climate changes and their national effects, proposes projects to mitigate climate change impact, tracks international climate change agreements, suggests sustainable development plans, evaluates development projects for sustainability (article 21).