Transcript The Bahamas National Draft Report on Integrating

The Bahamas
National Report Summary
DRAFT
Climate Change
& Sealevel Rise
• More successful regionally
– Monitoring network
– Establishment of a data base & info sys
– Sealevel management stations
• Not much national translation
• 1999 study of CC on The Bahamas
– Need for legislation or policies regarding coastal
construction
– Developing National Policy on Climate Change
Natural & Environmental
Disasters
• National efforts:
Development of ND Policy with national
disaster and mitigation plans and
economic and fiscal instruments
– A national and regional handbook on NDP
& management
• Need for more integrative approaches to
planning and the sharing of ideas within
administrative structures/Ministries is needed
Land Resources
• National biodiversity plan adopted
• Signatory to UNCCD
• Legislation regarding the protection of the
physical landscape
• National park system is in place (650,000
acres) and expanding
• A national land use policy is presently
underway
• EIA requirement for large developments
Energy
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Totally dependent on imported fuel
Need for an energy policy
Phased out leaded gasoline
Call for a change towards renewable sources
Newly appointed Gov. Commission
responsible for the regulation of all utilities
including water and energy
Tourism
Major economic engine;
• A sustainable policy since 1994
• A sustainable tourism unit
– Green marketing and management
– Monitoring of environmental impacts
– Protection of national culture
– Waste management & water conservation
– Environmental training & education
Science & Technology
• A committee established in 2001
• Need to increase transfer of technology
• Emerging influence on the educational
agenda
• Financial constraints
• Little or no administrative integration
Waste Management
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Existing legislation
Large public awareness campaign
New legislation pending
Need to increase regional involvement
Coastal Resources
• 20% of the marine environment will be a
protected area
• Monitoring of reef with CPACC
• 5 year program to set up a marine reserve
network
• Integrated costal area management program
• Not a party to SPAW
Freshwater
• Integrated coastal area management
program regional
• Proposal for the complete revamping of
the water and sewerage corporation to
ensure regulation and proper permitting
of the resource
• proposed laws with an aim to privatize
National institution &
Administrative Capacity and
Human Resource Development
• Lack of general integrated plan or
strategy within government
• More financial resources required
• Program presently underway with
CARICAD
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