The objectives of this Protocol are to: (a) promote sustainable development and sustainable utilization of the Partner States’ environment and natural resources through prevention of activities that are detrimental thereto; (b) foster closer cooperation for judicious, sustainable and coordinated management, conservation, protection and utilization of the environment and natural resources;(c) promote capacity building and environmental awareness in environment and natural resources management; (d) promote cooperation in the management of environment and natural resources including those that are transboundary in nature among Partner States; and (e) promote development and harmonization of policies, laws and strategies for environment and natural resources management to support sustainable development. Article 4 of the Protocol lays down the principles of environment and natural resources management in accordance with the principles set out in articles 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Treaty, including but not limited to: the principle of the fundamental right of the people to live in a clean and healthy environment; principle of poverty eradication and food security; principle of prior informed consent; principle of sustainable development; polluter pays principle; precautionary principle; and the principle of gender equality. This Protocol is a protocol of general application and shall apply to all activities, matters and areas of management of the environment and natural resources of the Partner States, including the following: (i) sustainable environment and natural resources management; (ii) management of transboundary resources; (iii) biodiversity conservation; (iv) management of forest resources and trees; (v) management of wildlife resources; (vi) management of water resources; (vii) management of wetland resources; (viii) management of coastal and marine resources; (ix) management of fisheries resources; (x) management and access to genetic resources; (xi) management of mineral resources; (xii) management of energy resources; (xiii) management of mountain ecosystems; (xiv) soil and land use management; (xv) management of rangelands; (xvi) combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought; (xvii) protection of the ozone layer; (xviii) tourism development; (xix) biosafety and biotechnology; (xx) management of chemicals; (xxi) management of wastes and hazardous wastes; (xxii) pollution control and management; (xxiii) environmental impact assessment and environmental audits; (xxiv) environmental standards; (xxv) military and hostile activities; (xxvi) environmental education and capacity building; (xxvii) public participation, access to information and justice; and (xxviii) environmental disaster preparedness and management. This Protocol shall apply to the Partner States’ cooperation in the management of the environment and natural resources within their jurisdiction including transboundary ecosystems and natural resources.
2006-04-03