Gov’t releases green paper of env’t management, climate adaptation

Government has released what is known as ‘green paper’ on environmental management, climate adaptation and sustainable development.

This was revealed by Natural Resource Minister Vincent Wheatley at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of The Fourth House Of Assembly on Tuesday, July 16.

Minister Wheatley said the decision to release a green paper was as a result of government‘s pride in the natural environment. He said government recognises the importance and value it brings to various sectors of the livelihood and health of Virgin Islanders.

“We have looked at the constitution of the Virgin Islands and taken note of the need to implement Section 29, which states that everyone has a right to an environment that is generally not harmful to his or her health and well-being and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations,” Wheatley stated.

In explaining the main purpose of the paper, the minister said the document describes the approach that government will pursue to consult biodiversity.

He said it also describes how to “more effectively manage the natural assets, control pollution and the discharge of hazardous substances and strengthen the compliance and parity regimes to a rest environmental degradation”.

Minister Wheatley, said the document has been overdue for far too long.

Information regarding the green paper is available on government’s website.

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