Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Strategic Plan 2022-2026.

The EMA Strategic Plan acknowledges the environmental priorities of the National Environmental Policy of 2018 as essential for sustainable development, and lays down strategies based on the following six key priorities: (I) protecting environmental and human health through pollution control; (II) sustainable management of natural resources; (III) improvement of local environment; (IV) transition to a greener economy; (V) fostering an environmentally responsible society; and (VI) addressing climate change and environmental and natural hazards. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years covering the period from 2022 to 2026. The purpose of the Environmental Management Authority is to sustainably manage natural resources and the environment by offering a transparent framework for policy and decision-making, supported by an approved regulatory system, public education, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
The legal and policy frameworks will be developed and implemented effectively to protect and ensure wise use of the environment. The monitoring of environmental permits will be improved. Ambient air quality monitoring network will be expanded. Water quality of inland, coastal and marine waters will be improved to safeguard the health of humans and ecosystems. The Waste Management Rules of 2021 will be implemented and activities will be carried out to raise stakeholders' awareness. Measures will be taken against the impact on communities and ecosystems from the health consequences of chemical spills, the unsafe handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Noise pollution will be controlled to minimize its adverse impacts on human and animal health and the environment whilst still allowing reasonable social, cultural and economic activity.
Watershed improvement plans will be developed to manage the quantity and quality of water resources. Management plans will be developed or updated for the management of Environmentally Sensitive Species and Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Biodiversity conservation will be strengthened by protecting, conserving and/or restoring selected ecosystems and species. The resilience of ecosystems to the adverse impacts of climate change will be increased. The local, regional and/or international stakeholders will be engaged in developing a coordinated approach to environmental conservation. Sustainable management of natural resources will be ensured by advancing scientific research, adopting technological innovation and improving access to funding opportunities.
The local environment will be improved by strengthening inter-agency collaboration and decision-making with respect to unplanned and unauthorized developments, enhancing collaboration and coordination on environmental matters with other government entities and civil society organizations.
Stakeholders' awareness will be raised on the concepts of the green and blue economies. Green design concepts and nature-based solutions will be promoted in planning and development projects at the conceptual stage.
The environmental responsibility will be fostered among society by implementing strategies to increase compliance by permit holders, developing effective and targeted public information and education programs to encourage greater compliance with environmental regulations, and increasing opportunities for corporate engagement towards environmental stewardship, such as: imposing product charges where product manufacturing process or usage is a significant source of pollution and adjusting direct government subsidies or the establishment of tax differentiation or tax incentives to encourage beneficial environmental activities.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be strengthened. A Climate Change Unit will be established and operationalized. Strategies will be implemented for making the EMA carbon zero by 2050 in line with the National Carbon Reduction Strategy by: greening the operations of the EMA, reducing waste and use of plastics, increasing recycling and implementing other sustainable practices, using energy efficiently and promoting alternative energy resources, and reducing water consumption. The Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system will be strengthened for the independent, fair, transparent, efficient and effective reporting, for the reduction and control of greenhouse gases.