Resource information
The Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan (JANEAP) is a national Plan with a multi-sectoral approach. The duration of the Plan is 3 years between 1999 and 2002. The main objective of the Plan is to ensure good environmental planning and management to contribute to the sustainable development.Regarding the biological resources, forestry, watershed management, protected areas and oceans the Plan provides for different actions to be taken. A Fisheries Management Plan and an Ocean and Coastal Zone Policy will be prepared and implemented. Coastal water quality will be monitored and an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan will be developed and implemented. Some other specific plans and projects such as Coral Reef Action Plan will be implemented. A pilot project on the use of casitas and condominiums as a means of enhancing lobster populations will be implemented. Forests will be to protect, from further encroachment by cultivators, livestock owners and timber cutters. A National Forest Management and Conservation Plan and a Watershed Management Policy will be prepared and implemented so that forests and watershed areas will be rehabilitated. More effective patrolling and policing of transported timber will be conducted. Recreational forests will be promoted. A better freshwater management and use will be ensured. Water quality monitoring of freshwater sources and channels will be carried out. Reduction on the reliance of chemical use in agriculture will be promoted. A system of volume based water extraction charges will be encouraged for the efficient use of water. A more coordinated and structured approach regarding the management of our biodiversity will be adopted. A biodiversity database and species management plan will be developed. Public awareness will be raised on the importance of biodiversity. The Wild Life Protection Act will be amended to include protection of plants. Protected Areas will be enlarged and their monitoring and control will be strengthened.The Plan adopts a participatory approach and sets out that the private sector and civil society, will make its contribution to protect the environment and conserve natural resources, and will act in partnership with government agencies. Capacity building will be done to link all sectors of the society, stakeholders and players in national development in a multi-stakeholder approach to sustainable development. The Plan integrates the environment and economy to reach sustainable development in the county. To this end adopts the polluter pays principle and the user pays principle to avoid excessive or wasteful use of natural resources. The Plan further provides for adopting incentives, subsidies for; pollution prevention, re-cycling, preservation and conservation of all biotic and abiotic environment and resources. Public Awareness will be created by educating the citizens for a sustainable future. Jamaica’s progress towards achieving sustainable development will be monitored biannually by specific environmental indicators. Standards development and certification capabilities will be strengthen and an ISO 14000 Certification Program will be developed and implemented. The Policy further provides for general waste management. A waste exchange initiative will be carried out to enable waste reduction concepts and practices to be implemented. Capacity for clean technologies resources will be developed, including feasibility for eco-efficiency. Waste Discharge Fees will be regulated. Solid waste management, sanitation and beautification will be improved. Refuse disposals will be controlled and illegal dumping will be eliminated. A Solid and Hazardous Waste Policy will be developed. Better Land allocation will be done and the lands will be allocated to their optimum use. A Land Inventory will be prepared to aid the decision making process on land issues and accessibility of land-related information to all segments of the society. Agricultural land mapping system to identify the most suitable lands for various types of crops will be improved. The Security of land tenure will be improved. Research will be done to identify feasible alternative energy sources in Jamaica and the use of solar energy will be promoted.To decrease the negative effect of economic and social activities on the environment and to avoid human caused natural disasters, first of all the Plan promotes for the monitoring and control of emissions. To this end, Stack Emission Standards will be developed and phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances will continue. Environmental health and promoting access to potable water will be a priority. The use of EIA by the industries will be ensured. The response capability to natural and man-made disasters will be improved with the establishment and implementation of a Disaster Management Program. The institutional network to monitor climate variability, climate change and sea level rise and impacts will be strengthened.The Government is responsible for the implementation of this policy together with the ministries and agencies which will be designated such as the Ministry of Environment and Housing. A Wardens Service will be established which will inspect all around the island to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. The Statistical Institute of Jamaica will be responsible together with the government to monitor environmental sustainability. The Jamaica Bureau of Standards will be responsible for the ISO standards. A National Land Agency and a National Estate Management Agency will be established. The Forestry Department will be strengthened.
