The process of policy formulation, programme formulation and programme implementation where cooperation among ministries required

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H. The process of policy formulation, programme formulation and programme implementation where cooperation among ministries required

Issues:

As indicated earlier environmental issues are multi-sectoral in nature. Therefore in efforts to formulate national sustainable development policies and programmes cooperation amongst all ministries and government agencies is of utmost importance. The crucial issue underlying the promotion of cooperation among government ministries is the level of political commitment. The personal involvement of senior government officials (e.g. the Prime Minister or his/her representative) in getting ministries to cooperate in policy and programme formulation can be seen as a reflection of the level of political commitment.

Example of political commitment:

Singapore: strong mandate from Prime Minister to promote coordination among any relevant agencies to " clean the river in 10 years "

Examples of the process of policy formulation, programme formulation and programme implementation where cooperation among ministries is required:

Republic of Korea, Malaysia

examples of how economic policies/programmes with environmental consequences were adopted/implemented

Issues:

Prior to the advent of the idea of sustainable development, environmental issues tended to be considered as an afterthought in the formulation of government policies. In spite of the recent rise of environmental concerns to the top of the policy agenda, economic policies still tend to be driven by the need earn income and reduce government budget deficits. It is instructive to learn about how economic policies/programmes with environmental consequences were adopted or implemented. Such information could be useful in allowing us to better integrate environmental concerns into economic policies.

Tonga: Environmental Assessment Planning Bill

Samoa: Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Environment

examples of how environmental policies/programmes with economic consequences were adopted/implemented

Issues:

While most economic activities tend to be resource-depleting or environmentally degrading, there are instances where purely environmental initiatives have resulted in direct (or indirect) economic benefits. Economic policy makers may have a higher incentive to consider environmental policies if it can be shown that such policies could generate economic benefits.

Japan: Development of Pollution abatement equipment

Tonga: Tonga Community Giant Clam Project

Fiji: Permits for Commercial Gillnet

Sri Lanka: Environmental Rehabilitation Project

examples of informal networking

Issues:

Informal networking is one way by which national consensus can be reached on major environmental issues. The networks often include influential people in the community who represent major stakeholders as well key government officials. The practicality or even the effectiveness of using informal networking as an approach for integrating environmental concerns into decision-making depends on how complex these networks are. That in turn depends on the size of the country. The approach appears to be work well in some of the smaller countries. Informal networking has some advantages and disadvantages. These are briefly discussed below.

Advantages:

It is good way of gauging stakeholder interests and concerns.
It tends to result in speedier agreement on decisions compared to formal bureaucratic processes.
Reduces risk of conflicts among various groups.

Disadvantages:

Too much reliance on informal mechanisms can result in poor coordination and decision-making in the long run.
Trust tends to accrue to certain individuals and not the institutions they represent.
The process is slowed down when these individuals leave their institutions
Informal mechanisms may not be perceived as transparent.
The process may not necessarily include all the stakeholders.
A successful outcome in this approach depends heavily on the skills and enthusiasm of the coordinators.

Pacific Island Countries:
All of the Pacific Island Countries work together as a "Pacific Community" co-ordinated by the South Pacific Organizations Co-ordinating Committeethe various parties to this organization work together voluntarily, not by force of law.

New Caledonia:
New Caledonia demonstrated how many sectors of government can work together on an informal basis to accomplish a major environmental assessment programme of the marine resources within the country's Economic Exclusion Zone.

Fiji:
Informal networks were instrumental in the timely finalisation of Fiji's Sustainable Development Act. The Act was a complex piece of legislation never before seen in the country and appeared to be intimidating. However, the DOE initiated dialogue with certain key individuals in the community representing the major stakeholders. Through mutual trust and cooperation, conflict was minimised, and the decisions were taken much faster and more efficiently.

examples of how laws are designed and approved

Issues:

Environmental laws are important means by which environmental policies are enforced. Most countries in the region have passed legislation to protect the environment. In some countries environmental legislation has not been effective in protecting the environment due to various reasons including low penalties, lack of comprehensiveness and poor monitoring and enforcement. The process of designing and approval of laws have a bearing on their effectiveness. In particular, laws that have been drafted with input from the key stakeholders are likely to be more effective.

See more on legal aspects

The following are examples of how laws are designed and approved.

Myanmar: National Council for Environmental Affairs

Nepal: Environmental Core Concept