# 1 Better Quality Of Life For All

• The people and the governments of the region will together strive to reduce poverty, create jobs, improve on health and welfare. In so doing, care will be taken not to destroy the environment and introduce changes at a rate to which people cannot adapt.

• All local, national and regional development policies and plans will be fully integrated to include environmental, social, cultural and economic factors which affect the small island systems of the region.

• The national and regional institutions which are responsible for the management of the natural resources in each country, will be strengthened to implement programmes, decisions and to enforce appropriate laws relating to the environment.

• All public and private sector organizations responsible for the environment will ensure that all people, whether as groups or individuals, participate in decision-making on natural resources management and in the implementation of these decisions. They will be given every opportunity to share traditional knowledge on environmental management.

• Governments and the private sector will work together to ensure that business and commercial activity do not negatively affect human health and the environment. The private sector will be allowed input into the design of sustainable development activities and also be held accountable for negative impacts of their activities on the environment. Good environmental management practices make good business sense.

• New ways and means will be adopted to ensure that environmental priorities are reflected in economic development programmes and also ensure economic returns from the use of the natural resources. In all cases where individuals and institutions damage natural resources, they will pay for rehabilitation. Incentives will be provided for proper environmental management.

• The public of the region have the right to information, training and education on environmental management in forms which they can easily understand and obtain at minimal costs. In particular, information on the practices and products which have a negative impact on the natural and cultural environment and on public health, will be shared.

• Governments will enact laws, create organizations and institutions and provide money to assist people and communities to adapt to the impact of climate change.

• Governments will integrate disaster management initiatives with environmental priorities to help the peoples of the region in their preparation for and management of the impacts of natural and man-made disasters.

• Measures will be taken to prevent, reduce and control waste generation and disposal, as well as pollution of land, rivers, sea and the air. The people of the region will always strive to harmonise their approaches to waste management and recycle waste products.

• The resources of the region must be used for the economic and social benefit for all, in a manner which will ensure that others who come after can also benefit from their use of these resources. There will be precaution against over exploitation. OECS governments will work together to guard those resources which are under the control of all the islands.

• Governments, organizations and individuals will conserve and rehabilitate cultural monuments which are important to the peoples for cultural, scientific, aesthetic and spiritual reasons.

• The flora and fauna and the ecosystems of the region will be conserved and protected. At the same time, the people and authorities must prevent the introduction of alien and modified species which may have a negative impact on the environment and their health. Endangered species and their habitats will be secured and protected.

• The people and governments of the region will only engage in trade which does not lead to waste of natural resources or negatively affect conservation practices. The prices of all raw materials produced in the region must include their environmental costs.

• Our understanding and application of science and technology must take into consideration the natural and cultural environment. Research techniques will be harmonised and scientific and technical information will be shared on a regular basis, among the various interest groups in the region.

• The promotion of energy conservation through the use of energy efficient technologies and systems will be high priority for everyone in the region. However, the people of the region will expand their use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

• The governments and peoples of the region will become increasingly active participants in international agreements on the environment. Joint regional positions will be reflected in these agreements.

• Environmental management programmes in the region, including those managed by international agencies, will be coordinated to avoid duplication of effort and ensure the efficient use of scarce funds. At the same time, the region will clearly and collectively present its needs to the international agencies.

• The OECS governments will develop and adopt environmental management strategies to guide the implementation of these principles. There will also be cooperation and collaboration in areas where environmental issues and problems affect more than one country.>

# 20 Obligations Of Member States

• The Member States of the OECS will recognise their commitment to the principles and put measures in place to ensure their implementation. Governments will report on progress of implementation at the annual meeting of the OECS Ministers of the Environment Policy Committee (EPC).

• The principles will be reviewed after three years of implementation. Governments and the people of the OECS will then determine whether they will become binding on all Member States.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, OUR RESPONSIBILITY!

Join the environmental management movement and apply these principles to your daily personal and community life

Contact the Ministries responsible for the Environment or a Community Organization in your Country … Today !

REMEMBER: Play Your Part !