Environmental Framework Act (No. 97 of 2020).

This Act is about the protection and sustainable management of the environment in Suriname and the implementation and carrying into effect of obligations deriving from the membership of Suriname to international agreements, notably the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Agreement and the Stockholm and Rotterdam (Conventions on POPs and PIC respectively). Another important matter is the investigation, prosecution and trial of offences defined in this Act as environmental offences. The Act is composed of 77 articles divided into 11 Chapters: General provisions (I); The National Environment Authority (II); Duty of Care (III); Environmental Strategy (IV); Activities and Environmental Consequences (V); Control of Pollution - Environmental Pollution and Standards (VI); Waste and Hazardous Substances (VII); Legal Protection Mechanisms (VIII); Environmental offences and Sanctions (IX); Provisions on Enforcement and further provisions (X); Transitional and Final Provisions (XI).
The Act establishes the National Environment Authority (NMA) as an independent administrative body. It shall be the successor to the Environmental Coordination Office of the Presidential cabinet and the National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) shall be placed under it. The NMA shall prepare the National Environment Strategy and be the main focal point for environmental protection in Suriname. It shall also ensure that the FPIC principle is applied in decision-making processes affecting the habitat of the native and tribal peoples.
Chapter III defines a duty of care for the environment. This duty means that everyone knows or can reasonably suspect that his or her actions or omissions shall have adverse consequences for the environment, must omit such action insofar as this can be reasonably required. Chapter IV requires the NMA to elaborate the environmental strategy as incorporated in the National Development Plan for Strategy into a national environmental policy plan. The Act sets out the priorities of such policy. One priority is the inventory, protection and regulation of endemic flora and fauna and traditional and medicinal knowledge. The national plan shall be elaborated in environmental programmes, which shall also be established at district level. The NMA shall publish every four year an environmental report. The Act establishes an Environment Fund.
Activities for which an environmental impact assessment is required shall be defined by a State Decree. This Act sets out the procedures for such environmental impact assessment. The NMA shall be informed about government activities that may affect the environment and shall carry out an environmental impact analyses for such activities or policies or a strategic impact analysis for economic sectors such as forestry, water and agriculture. (Chapter V).
Chapter VI is about environmental pollution and rehabilitation of the environment. The NMA shall define polluting activities and be responsible for environmental authorizations. Chapter VII indicates that the NMA shall establish standards and procedures for waste treatment, reuse and recycling as well as the processing of waste. The NMA establishes rules for handling with hazardous substances. It is also charged with monitoring activities in this area prevention of environmental pollution. Chapters VIII and IX are about environmental offences. Penal law shall be the ultimate resort for such offences. Article 47 defines environmental offences and for this purpose indicates various other laws including, amongst others the Agriculture Act, the Forestry Act and the Water Resources Act.