The Bahamas National Report Summary DRAFT

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The Bahamas National Report SummaryDRAFT
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Climate Change Sealevel Rise

• More successful regionally
• Monitoring network
• Establishment of a data base info sys
• Sealevel management stations
• Not much national translation
• 1999 study of CC on The Bahamas
• Need for legislation or policies regarding
  coastal construction
• Developing National Policy on Climate Change

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Natural Environmental Disasters

• National efforts
• Development of ND Policy with national disaster
  and mitigation plans and economic and fiscal
  instruments
• A national and regional handbook on NDP
  management
• Need for more integrative approaches to planning
  and the sharing of ideas within administrative
  structures/Ministries is needed

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Land Resources

• National biodiversity plan adopted
• Signatory to UNCCD
• Legislation regarding the protection of the
  physical landscape
• National park system is in place (650,000 acres)
  and expanding
• A national land use policy is presently underway
• EIA requirement for large developments

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Energy

• Totally dependent on imported fuel
• Need for an energy policy
• Phased out leaded gasoline
• Call for a change towards renewable sources
• Newly appointed Gov. Commission responsible for
  the regulation of all utilities including water
  and energy

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Tourism

• Major economic engine
• A sustainable policy since 1994
• A sustainable tourism unit
• Green marketing and management
• Monitoring of environmental impacts
• Protection of national culture
• Waste management water conservation
• Environmental training education

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Science Technology

• A committee established in 2001
• Need to increase transfer of technology
• Emerging influence on the educational agenda
• Financial constraints
• Little or no administrative integration

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Waste Management

• Existing legislation
• Large public awareness campaign
• New legislation pending
• Need to increase regional involvement

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Coastal Resources

• 20 of the marine environment will be a protected
  area
• Monitoring of reef with CPACC
• 5 year program to set up a marine reserve network
• Integrated costal area management program
• Not a party to SPAW

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Freshwater

• Integrated coastal area management program
  regional
• Proposal for the complete revamping of the water
  and sewerage corporation to ensure regulation and
  proper permitting of the resource
• proposed laws with an aim to privatize

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National institution Administrative Capacity
and Human Resource Development

• Lack of general integrated plan or strategy
  within government
• More financial resources required
• Program presently underway with CARICAD

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