At Independence, Namibia inherited environmental legislation that is outdated, fragmented and incomplete. As a result, it became necessary to revise and review the existing environmental legislation and this project was established within the MET to review and revise existing legislation and to facilitate the establishment of an appropriate environmental legislation framework for Namibia. The following draft legislation has been prepared:

• Environmental Management Act

• Parks and Wildlife Management Act

• Pollution Control and Waste Management Act

• Biosafety Act

• Access to Biological Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Act

• Environmental Assessment Policy

The emphasis in the development of new legislation is on consultation with stakeholders at all stages to ensure that the end product is appropriate to serve Namibia's long and short term needs.

Current projects

• Revising and rationalising institutional structures created by new draft environmental legislation

• Finalising new draft environmental legislation for submission to Cabinet Committee on Legislation and legal drafters

• Designing and producing training and educational materials on new draft environmental legislation

• Conducting a series of training workshops with implementers and enforcers of new environmental legislation

• Providing comment and input on sectoral legislation affecting the environment

• Rendering general legal advice to the MET

Linked partners and funding

Funded by NORAD, this project works in partnership with the Legal Assistance Centre and the Office of the Attorney-General. It was originally due to be completed in December 1998, but has been extended until December 2001.

Staff

Project Co-ordinator, Michaela Figueira, and various short-term consultants are assisted by final year students at the Law Faculty of the University of Namibia.

Reports

View Annual Report 1999 (PDF - 283KB)
View Annual Report 1999 update (PDF - 38KB)
View Gambling Act (PDF - 203KB)

Contact: Michaela Figueira elegis@iafrica.com.na