Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Corporate Plan 2014 – 2018.

This Corporate Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Plan is 4 years between 2014 and 2018. The overall purpose of this Plan is to protect natural resources and the environment, whilst contributing to economic growth and developing communities, through policy development; planning; scientific and technological information transfer; effective disaster risk management and climate change adaptation and mitigation; compliance and enforcement; organizational support; and resource management.
The management of forests, land, water and fisheries will be strengthened in an environmentally sustainable manner to protect them from natural threats and contamination. In addition, measures will be taken to reduce pressure on habitats and species in terrestrial and marine areas. The protection of habitats, species, protected areas, sanctuaries and key biodiversity areas will be ensured and maintained in natural condition. Degraded habitats will be restored with a special emphasis on the threatened species of economic and conservation importance to healthy states and viable populations. Marine areas will be protected by creating secure and efficient marine protected areas. Water resources management will be strengthened through effective watershed management and conservation, capacity building, and conservation projects for groundwater, freshwater springs and lakes. Forest management and conservation will be strengthened to enable sustainable use of forest resources as well as to protect forest species and ecosystems.
The participation of all stakeholders will be promoted in decision-making processes as well as the implementation of environmental management initiatives. Public awareness will be raised including women, auguma and youth. Moreover, the participation of landowner communities will be promoted in the management of protected areas and key biodiversity areas. The equitable sharing of marine and ocean resources will be ensured for all. Social impact assessment will be conducted for effective planning and management in rural and urban areas.
Institutional framework will be strengthened with improved governance and capacity at all levels to promote integrated decision making, improve monitoring and enforcement, and strategic environmental assessment. Improved sector coordination of environmental initiatives will be ensured through a robust and effective management framework. The collaboration between the Fisheries Division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be strengthened to ensure sustainable use of fisheries resources. A database will be established and updated through science-based assessments and ongoing monitoring for awareness-raising on biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Risk management and governance of chemical and hazardous waste will be strengthened to ensure public health and environmental protection. The use of natural resource valuations and payment ecosystems services will be encouraged to be used in financing of this Plan.
Sustainable financing and partnerships with international organizations will be promoted to ensure the provision of better support towards environmental sustainability and disaster resilience. An integrated habitat-based approach will be promoted towards environmental assessments to support climate change adaptation and mitigation. The resilience of rural and urban environment will be increased against the negative impacts of climate change through effective climate change adaptation and mitigation. Innovative adaptation measures will be taken to protect terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The participation and support to regional and international networks for monitoring earthquakes, tsunami, sea level rise, changes in coastline, sources of aggregates and rainfall levels will be increased. Low carbon developments will be promoted in the energy sector through the establishment of a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action Programme. Furthermore, the effective implementation of National Programmes will be supported to reduce GHG emissions through an integrated approach.