| Draft Environment
Charter for the UK Overseas Territories
(This is a draft of the Environment
Charter. It was called
for by the UK Overseas Territories White Paper and is open to public
comment. If you wish to express your opinion please do so by email
to DoE@candw.ky)
Please note that "the Cayman Islands" has
been substituted for "our territory" for ease of reading.
Guiding
principles for the UK government, for the government of
the Cayman Islands and for the people of the Cayman Islands.
1. To
recognise that all people need a healthy environment for their
well-being and livelihoods and that all can help to conserve and
sustain it.
2. To use our natural resources wisely, being fair to present and
future generations.
3. To identify environmental opportunities, costs and risks in
all policies and strategies.
4. To seek expert advice and consult openly with interested parties
on decisions affecting the environment.
5. To aim for solutions which benefit both the environment and
development.
6. To contribute towards the protection and improvement of the
global environment.
7. To safeguard and restore native species, habitats and landscape
features, and control or eradicate invasive species.
8. To encourage activities and technologies that benefit the
environment.
9. To control pollution, with the polluter paying for prevention
or remedies.
10. To study and celebrate our environmental heritage as
a treasure to share with our children.
Commitments
The government of the UK will:
1. help build capacity to support and implement integrated environmental
management which is consistent with the Cayman Islands' own plans
for sustainable development.
2. assist the Cayman Islands in reviewing and updating environmental
legislation.
3. facilitate the extension of the UK's ratification of Multilateral
Environmental Agreements of benefit to the Cayman Islands and which
the Cayman Islands has the capacity to implement.
4. keep the Cayman Islands informed regarding new developments in relevant
Multilateral Environmental Agreements and invite the Cayman Islands
to participate where appropriate in the UK's delegation to international
environmental negotiations and conferences.
5. help the Cayman Islands to ensure it has the legislation, institutional
capacity and mechanisms it needs to meet international obligations.
6. promote better cooperation and the sharing of experience and expertise
between the Cayman Islands, other Overseas Territories and small island
states and communities which face similar environmental problems.
7. use UK, regional and local expertise to give advice and improve
knowledge of technical and scientific issues. This includes regular
consultation with interested non-governmental organisations and networks.
8. use the existing Environment Fund for Overseas Territories, and
promote access to other sources of public funding, for projects of
lasting benefit to the Cayman Islands' environment.
9. help the Cayman Islands identify further funding partners for environmental
projects, such as donors, the private sector or non-governmental organisations.
10.
recognise the diversity of the challenges facing Overseas Territories
in very different socioeconomic and geographical situations.
11. abide by the principles set out in the Rio declaration on environment
and development (See Annex 2) and work towards meeting International
Development Targets on the environment (See Annex 3).
The government
of the Cayman Islands will:
1. bring together government
departments, representatives of local industry and commerce, environment
and heritage organisations, the
Governor's office, individual environmental champions and other
community representatives in a forum to formulate a detailed strategy
for action. (See Annex 1).
2. ensure the protection and restoration of key habitats, species
and landscape features through legislation and appropriate management
structures
and mechanisms, including a protected areas policy, and attempt the
control and eradication of invasive species.
3. ensure that environmental considerations are integrated within
social and economic planning processes; promote sustainable patterns
of production
and consumption within the territory.
4. undertake environmental impact assessments before approving major
projects and while developing our growth management strategy.
5. commit to open and consultative decision-making on developments
and plans which may affect the environment; ensure that environmental
impact assessments include consultation with stakeholders.
6. implement effectively obligations under the Multilateral Environmental
Agreements already extended to the Cayman Islands and work towards
the extension of other relevant agreements.
7. review the range, quality and availability of baseline data for
natural resources and biodiversity.
8. ensure that legislation and policies reflect the principle that
the polluter should pay for prevention or remedies; establish effective
monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
9. encourage teaching within
schools to promote the value of our local environment (natural and
built) and to explain its role within
the regional and global environment.
10. promote publications that spread awareness of the special features
of the environment in the Cayman Islands; promote within the territory
the guiding principles set out above.
11. abide by the principles set out in the Rio declaration on environment
and development (See Annex 2) and work towards meeting International
Development Targets on the environment (See Annex 3).
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