The objectives of this Act are to: (a) provide a mechanism for the development of environmental policy and law; (b) establish an Environment Department; and (c) provide enforcement powers environment officers.
The Act consists of 32 sections divided into 4 Parts: Preliminary (I); Administration (II); Enforcement (III); Miscellaneous (IV).
All persons exercising functions and powers under this Act shall take into account the basic considerations regarding environmental policy set out in section 4. The Environment Department is established under section 5. It shall administer and implement this Act, formulate environmental policy, carry out environment impact assessment and carry out other functions regarding environment protection and nature conservation as set out in section 6. There shall be a Director of the Environment who shall principally oversee operations of the Department and further carry out other functions set out in section 9. The Minister may, pursuant to section 11, appoint Environment Officers, including police officers, quarantine officers, fisheries officers and public health inspectors. A National Council for Sustainable Development is established under section 15. The Council shall act as an advisory body to the Minister. Section 20 provides for civil claims in relation with environmental damage. Section 22 and following define environmental offences.