AOSIS Workshop on Trade, Sustainable Development and Small

Island States

Jamaica’s Programme Towards Achieving Jamaica’s Programme Towards Achieving Sustainable Development – The National Sustainable Development – The National

EMS Policy and StrategyEMS Policy and Strategy

Presented byPresented by

Denise Forrest, NEPA EMS ConsultantDenise Forrest, NEPA EMS Consultant

December 13, 2001 December 13, 2001

Environmental Management Systems Policy and StrategyOutlineOutline

• Why EMS Policy and Strategy?Why EMS Policy and Strategy?

- Sustainable Development & EMS- Sustainable Development & EMS- Global Imperatives- Global Imperatives- - Birth of EMSBirth of EMS- Response of the GOJ- Response of the GOJ

Environmental Management Systems Policy and StrategyOutlineOutline• Policy and StrategyPolicy and Strategy

- Guiding Principles- Guiding Principles

- Goals- Goals

- Trade and EMS- Trade and EMS

- Institutional Issues- Institutional Issues

- Current Status of the Policy- Current Status of the Policy

EMS and Sustainable Development

The long-term policy objective of the GovernmentThe long-term policy objective of the Governmentof Jamaica is Sustainable Development, that is,of Jamaica is Sustainable Development, that is,economic and social development without theeconomic and social development without thedestruction of the Environment. The Governmentdestruction of the Environment. The Governmenthas taken several initiatives relating to long-termhas taken several initiatives relating to long-termplanning and sustainable development viz:planning and sustainable development viz:

Development of the three-year Jamaica National Development of the three-year Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan (JaNEAP) in 1995 with Environmental Action Plan (JaNEAP) in 1995 with the publication of JaNEAP Status Reports annually the publication of JaNEAP Status Reports annually and a complete update in 1999and a complete update in 1999

EMS and Sustainable Development EMS and Sustainable Development In 1998, the National Environmental Education In 1998, the National Environmental Education

Action Plan for Sustainable Development 1998-Action Plan for Sustainable Development 1998-2010 was completed2010 was completed

The Sustainable Development Council of Jamaica The Sustainable Development Council of Jamaica (SDC-J) was formed under the UNDP Regional (SDC-J) was formed under the UNDP Regional Capacity 21 project, as an advisory body to Capacity 21 project, as an advisory body to promote discussion on sustainable developmentpromote discussion on sustainable development

However, despite these initiatives there still are gaps However, despite these initiatives there still are gaps between planning and implementationbetween planning and implementation

EMS and Sustainable Development

‘ ‘ Jamaica has been putting in place policies, and Jamaica has been putting in place policies, and programmes for a sustainable future, one which balances programmes for a sustainable future, one which balances economic growth and development with environment and economic growth and development with environment and social justice needs.’social justice needs.’

‘‘We have been utilising new tools, new forms of We have been utilising new tools, new forms of collaboration and innovative policy directions and regard collaboration and innovative policy directions and regard the preparation of an Environmental Management the preparation of an Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Policy as an important aspect of this Systems (EMS) Policy as an important aspect of this approach.’approach.’

– – The Honourable Seymour Mullings former Minister of The Honourable Seymour Mullings former Minister of Land and EnvironmentLand and Environment

Global ImperativesGlobal Imperatives

Greening of Business – International TrendsGreening of Business – International Trends

•The environment is gaining prominence as a political, The environment is gaining prominence as a political, commercial, and social issue. commercial, and social issue.

•Legislative and economic incentives placed the Legislative and economic incentives placed the environment high on the business/trade agenda. environment high on the business/trade agenda.

•A general understanding of environmental management is A general understanding of environmental management is not enough in matters of trade not enough in matters of trade

•Businesses had to move beyond their stance ‘it is a good Businesses had to move beyond their stance ‘it is a good idea but difficult to implement’.idea but difficult to implement’.

Global ImperativesGlobal Imperatives

Greening of Business –Changing ApproachesGreening of Business –Changing ApproachesIn that regard, the green change is accelerating in particular in the In that regard, the green change is accelerating in particular in the following areas:following areas: •manufacturing processes have become greener, more efficient, less manufacturing processes have become greener, more efficient, less energy intensive, using and producing fewer environmentally energy intensive, using and producing fewer environmentally unfriendly chemicals and materials;unfriendly chemicals and materials;

•products are being more scrutinised e.g. no CFCs, etc.products are being more scrutinised e.g. no CFCs, etc.

•waste is growing as an issue, controls on what can be disposed of waste is growing as an issue, controls on what can be disposed of are becoming tighter and actual cost of disposal growing are becoming tighter and actual cost of disposal growing dramatically as landfills become fewerdramatically as landfills become fewer

•recycling is becoming more and more legislatively imposed.recycling is becoming more and more legislatively imposed.

Birth of EMSBirth of EMSGreening of BusinessGreening of Business

•UN General Assembly World Commission on UN General Assembly World Commission on Environment 1987Environment 1987

•Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) pointed out the need to provide business with tools to pointed out the need to provide business with tools to measure environmental performancemeasure environmental performance

•Rio Conference 1992 pointed to the practical Rio Conference 1992 pointed to the practical implementation of principlesimplementation of principles

•SAGE recommended establishment of ISO TC to develop SAGE recommended establishment of ISO TC to develop environmental management system standardsenvironmental management system standards

Response of the GOJResponse of the GOJ

Initiate the development of an EMS policy and strategy which potentially could;

•Put in place the necessary institutional, regulatory and promotional measures to ensure successful uptake of EMS

•Improve Jamaica’s environment and its competitive advantage by using a management system approach in businesses, communities, and government

•Move the country ‘beyond the curve’ to a ‘quantum leap’ on the path to sustainable development and an improved quality of life for its citizens

Trends in Major Countries

UK, Japan, Canada, USA & EuropeUK, Japan, Canada, USA & Europe

All have similar drivers but with differing prioritiesAll have similar drivers but with differing priorities

Japan leads the world in EMS certification followed Japan leads the world in EMS certification followed by the UKby the UK

In many cases governments have taken the lead in In many cases governments have taken the lead in developing policy mechanisms to drive EMS developing policy mechanisms to drive EMS implementationimplementation

Trends in Major Countries

• International financial markets now requiring information on environmental performance

• Many have undertaken ‘Greening of Government’ initiatives

• Significant support for EMS schemes in small and medium size businesses (SMEs)

• More and more EMS being used as a tool for implementing regulatory flexibility

Trends in Benchmark Countries

• Costa Rica, Columbia Cuba, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad, Malaysia & Israel

• Latin America Many years ahead in implementation

Drivers and obstacles similar to Caribbean

• Caribbean Very early stages of EMS implementation

Drivers mainly market considerations and experience with quality systems

Companies in rum, gold mining, bauxite alumina processing, and timber already certified

T&T government now preparing EMS guidelines

Trends in Key Economic Sectors

• Bauxite Major multi-nationals implementing ISO 14000

Trend also seen in Jamaica where companies at varying stages of EMS implementation

Environmental improvements often are completely in tune with financial and operating benefits

EMS seen as a tool to help companies match best practice with competitive production costs

Trends in Key Economic SectorsTrends in Key Economic Sectors• Coffee

Globally awareness of the impact on environment growing

Campaigns being mounted to encourage responsible coffee growth

Green label being encouraged in marketing of coffee

• Tourism Green Globe being promoted as EMS and market brand for

hotels and destinations worldwide

Large chains in Jamaica moving aggressively to implement Green Globe in all hotel properties in the Caribbean Region

Trade and EMSTrade and EMS

•Private Sector Trade PolicyPrivate Sector Trade Policy

•Government Procurement GuidelineGovernment Procurement Guideline

•Policy ToolsPolicy Tools

The Purpose of the EMS Policy and Strategy

Articulate the Government of Jamaica’s commitment Articulate the Government of Jamaica’s commitment to the promotion and use of EMSto the promotion and use of EMS

Establish the role of the government, private sector Establish the role of the government, private sector and communities in the use of EMSand communities in the use of EMS

Provide the framework for integrating and sustaining Provide the framework for integrating and sustaining existing policies and activities related to environmental existing policies and activities related to environmental management by bringing together new tools and new management by bringing together new tools and new forms of collaborationforms of collaboration

Elements of the EMS Policy

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding PrinciplesThe EMS Policy and Strategy embodies theThe EMS Policy and Strategy embodies thefollowing principles:following principles:

Natural resources are a part of the nation’s capital and Natural resources are a part of the nation’s capital and need to be managed for sustainable growth. need to be managed for sustainable growth.

Exploitation of the island’s natural resources in pursuit Exploitation of the island’s natural resources in pursuit of economic development should therefore be carried of economic development should therefore be carried out in a sustainable manner that protects the out in a sustainable manner that protects the environment and shall constitute an integral part of the environment and shall constitute an integral part of the development process of the nationdevelopment process of the nation

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

Environmental Management Systems are a Environmental Management Systems are a fundamental tool to achieve sustainable development fundamental tool to achieve sustainable development concepts, policies, plans, and projects. Keeping to concepts, policies, plans, and projects. Keeping to the path of sustainable development is an essential the path of sustainable development is an essential reason for the EMS Policy and Strategyreason for the EMS Policy and Strategy

The Polluter Pays Principle and the User Pays The Polluter Pays Principle and the User Pays Principle require that there is the establishment of a Principle require that there is the establishment of a set of sanctions for polluters, and charges for the use set of sanctions for polluters, and charges for the use of natural resources and other environmental assets of natural resources and other environmental assets while granting incentives to encourage more while granting incentives to encourage more environmentally responsible behaviourenvironmentally responsible behaviour

Elements of the EMS PolicyElements of the EMS Policy

Guiding Principles

•All citizens of Jamaica are individually and collectively responsible for the quality of the environment.

Environmental issues therefore require full participation of all.

Environmental awareness of civil society will be facilitated and participation encouraged by making information on environmental issues as widely available as possible to the various publics.

The Government of Jamaica will provide leadership by “greening” its own operation as a first step towards responsible environmental stewardship

Elements of the EMS PolicyElements of the EMS Policy

Policy GoalsPolicy GoalsThe EMS Policy and Strategy aims to achieve theThe EMS Policy and Strategy aims to achieve the

following goals:following goals:

GOAL 1:GOAL 1: To establish the framework withinTo establish the framework within

which Environmental Management which Environmental Management Systems will be adopted across all Systems will be adopted across all sectors of society for sustainable sectors of society for sustainable developmentdevelopment

GOAL 2:GOAL 2: To strengthen the legal and economic To strengthen the legal and economic framework to facilitate the promotion framework to facilitate the promotion and implementation of Environmental and implementation of Environmental Management SystemsManagement Systems

Elements of the EMS PolicyElements of the EMS Policy

Policy Goals

GOAL 3: To ensure an informed public who will support and advocate for responsible environmental stewardship.

Elements of the EMS Policy

Elements of the EMS Policy

Institutional IssuesInstitutional Issues

• GOJ has adopted a three pronged approachGOJ has adopted a three pronged approach-public sector-public sector- private sector- private sector- citizenry- citizenry

• Goal 1Goal 1- strategies to build organisational capacity within - strategies to build organisational capacity within NEPA, BS and private sector umbrella groups, NEPA, BS and private sector umbrella groups, SMEs (training, access to information, pilot SMEs (training, access to information, pilot projects, greening of govt. agencies)projects, greening of govt. agencies)

Institutional Issues Institutional Issues

• Goal 2Goal 2-strategies to strengthen legislative instruments and strategies to strengthen legislative instruments and economic measures ( strengthening the economic measures ( strengthening the effectiveness of ‘stick’ sanctions while providing effectiveness of ‘stick’ sanctions while providing some carrots)some carrots)

• Goal 3Goal 3-strategies allow citizens to fulfill their role as of strategies allow citizens to fulfill their role as of environment stewards/advocacyenvironment stewards/advocacy-mechanisms revolve around information sharing mechanisms revolve around information sharing for example PRTR register, public environmental for example PRTR register, public environmental reportingreporting

Status of the EMS Policy and Strategy

Status of the EMS Policy and Strategy

•June 2001 was approved by the parliament as June 2001 was approved by the parliament as green papergreen paper

•Currently consultations are in progress with key Currently consultations are in progress with key stakeholdersstakeholders

• Revised green paper should be submitted to Revised green paper should be submitted to cabinet by April 2002cabinet by April 2002

•Approval as white paper by June 2002Approval as white paper by June 2002