This Environmental Action Plan is an operational translation of the Environmental Policy defined by ECOWAS in 2008 and which has the following strategic objectives (i) strengthening of environmental governance and development of capacities; (ii) promotion of sustainable resource management to improve the sub-regional economy in an environment friendly manner; (iii) strengthening the fight against all forms of pollution, nuisance, waste and the control of the movements of hazardous chemical substances and finally; (iv) promotion of information, education and communication strategies for better living environment. The document highlights West Africa’s high vulnerability to climate change because its economies depend heavily on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, fishing, livestock, and forestry. It emphasizes the need to protect coastal and fragile ecosystems, including mangroves, estuaries, and islands, which support biodiversity and large populations. Offshore oil and gas development also creates additional pollution risks. In response, the ECOWAS Environmental Policy aims to reverse environmental degradation, conserve natural resources and biodiversity, improve living conditions, and promote a healthy, productive environment for both ecosystems and people. The EAP is structured around the following 4 strategic objectives, each supported by a set of expected results and implementation measures (1) strengthening environmental governance, institutional capacities, coordination, monitoring, and regulatory frameworks across the ECOWAS region. This will be achieved by improving the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), access to climate and environmental finance, and the availability of environmental and climate information. It also involves strengthening ECOWAS coordination and monitoring mechanisms, networking among environmental institutions, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization. Finally, the objective promotes the harmonization and enforcement of legislation on forests, wildlife, chemicals, waste, environmental assessments, and environmental crime; (2) promoting the sustainable management of natural resources while supporting economic development and resilience to climate change. Measures include implementing regional programmes on forests and desertification, strengthening the management of protected areas, wildlife and watersheds, and improving marine and coastal resource management. It also promotes environmental assessments and knowledge-sharing, the economic valuation of ecosystem services and non-timber forest products, and climate adaptation and mitigation through green jobs, circular-economy initiatives, and improved access to climate finance; (3) strengthening the fight against pollution, nuisance, waste and hazardous products. Measures focus on harmonizing legal frameworks and waste-management standards, promoting safer chemicals and cleaner technologies, and strengthening the technical capacity of customs, environmental services, and laboratories. It also includes improving public awareness and information systems, combating the illegal trafficking of toxic substances, strengthening the safe management of hazardous chemicals and waste, rehabilitating contaminated sites, and mobilizing financing through public-private partnerships and circular-economy initiatives; (4) promoting information, education and communication for a better environment by integrating environmental education into school and higher education curricula and strengthening public awareness through media and digital platforms. It also supports specialized research and training, the sharing of environmental best practices, traditional knowledge and data, and greater visibility of environmental institutions and initiatives. The EAP will be implemented through complementary technical and institutional mechanisms. The ECOWAS Directorate of Environment (DENV) will coordinate and monitor implementation, while responsibilities will be shared across four levels: Environment Ministers for strategic oversight; a Steering Committee for technical and financial guidance; an Implementation Unit within DENV for operational delivery, monitoring, project development, fundraising and reporting; and National Focal Points for coordinating and supervising implementation at Member State level and linking national stakeholders with ECOWAS.
2020-03-01