Parliament passes Environmental Protection Bill

Parliament has passed the landmark Environmental Protection Bill 2024, paving the way for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s environmental governance framework. 

The bill, which sailed through the consideration stage, was read for the third time and approved on Thursday (2 January).

This legislation sets out a robust legal structure aimed at tackling the nation’s pressing environmental challenges. Crucially, it consolidates several fragmented pieces of legislation into a unified Act. 

These include the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Act 490), the Pesticides Control and Management Act 1996 (Act 528), and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act 2016 (Act 917).

By bringing these laws under one umbrella, the bill seeks to streamline environmental management and regulatory processes.

The centrepiece of the bill is the creation of the Environmental Protection Authority. This new body will have a broad mandate to regulate, protect, and oversee all matters related to the environment and climate change.

The authority is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring coordinated responses to environmental and climate-related issues, positioning the country to better address global sustainability targets.

Significantly, the bill also re-enacts the provisions of the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act 2016 (Act 917), reinforcing efforts to manage the growing challenge of hazardous waste and e-waste in an era of rapid technological advancement.

The Clerk of Parliament will now present the bill to the Presidency for assent, marking the final step in its journey to becoming law.

Once enacted, the Environmental Protection Bill 2024 is poised to be a game-changer in safeguarding the nation’s ecological future.

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