The Republic of the Marshall Islands National Environment Management Strategy 2017–2022.

The National Environment Management Strategy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Strategy is 5 years between 2017 and 2022. The overall purpose of this Strategy is to conserve and improve its environment for current and future generations, by promoting sustainable development and integrating environment conservation and the proper governance of development efforts. The key principles are listed for the effective implementation of this Strategy, as leadership and good governance; collective responsibility for the environment; indigenous knowledge, practices and innovations; and integration of the environment and development.
In order to ensure food security, sustainable agricultural practices will be promoted on cultivated land and existing vegetation, coconuts, breadfruit and pandanus will be protected. Public awareness-raising campaigns will be carried out for the promotion of healthy eating, with the aim of protecting public health. Furthermore, efforts will be given to maintain traditional food production and consumption.
Long-term protection and maintenance of biodiversity will be fostered through strategies in the fields of protection of natural resources and the environment, ecosystem preservation, and protection of habitats, critical sites, and species. Biosecurity concerns regarding the introduction of invasive alien species and protection of endangered species will be addressed. Programs will be developed to replenish, restore and rehabilitate natural resources and the environment that were exploited or degraded through extensive development activities. Agricultural production will be increased by promoting sustainable practices on cultivated land in line with traditional practices. Moreover, the conservation of living marine resources and the marine environment will be strengthened through effective inshore and offshore management of marine environment and control over offshore marine resources exploitation. The network of locally managed marine protected areas will be expanded for effective monitoring, control and surveillance activities. Integrated management of marine and terrestrial systems will be developed through a community-based approach. In addition, marine ecosystems and species will be protected, with a special emphasis on marine mammals and marine turtles. Management of coral reefs will be strengthened by continuous monitoring.
Renewable energy resources will be promoted to provide efficient, sustainable and accessible energy. Waste management will be strengthened, including hazardous waste, hospital waste, batteries and household toxics. In addition to that, the participation of communities will be encouraged in waste management by conducting awareness-raising campaigns and trainings on waste sorting, recycling and reuse. The wellbeing and health status of Marshall Islanders will be improved through effective sewage and sanitation management and proper waste management services. Therefore, water and sanitation will be safeguarded by maintaining and providing proper water resources. The quantity and quality of water system will be improved through implementation of water policy and water safety plan, with particular attention to integrated rainwater harvesting, and improved management of freshwater resources. In order to facilitate long-term sustainability, economic and physical development will be linked with environmental protection. To this end, credible scientific information to support the integration of the environment will be integrated into development planning and implementation.
The resilience of livelihoods to the adverse impacts of climate change will be increased through effective environmental management, sustainable energy and climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. Therefore, measures will be taken for the reduction in greenhouse gases, fossil fuels, as well as in the usage of Ozone Depletion Substances. The coordination of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation will be improved by establishing and supporting an enabling environment. Moreover, climate data for planning and forecasting will be used beyond weather forecasting. Emergency Preparedness and Response will be enhanced at all levels of Government. Public awareness will be raised on climate change adaptation and mitigation, low carbon emissions, and disaster risk reduction and management.