The Power of Infinite Sustainability: Our Hope for a Healthier Earth

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CO-ORDINATION ACT 

This is the framework law on Environmental management and conservation.

 An Act of Parliament to provide for the establishment of an appropriate legal and institutional framework for the management of the environment and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto [Act No. 8 of 1999, Act No. 6 of 2006, Act No. 17 of 2006, Act No. 5 of 2007, Act No. 6 of 2009.] WHEREAS it is desirable that a framework environmental legislation be promulgated so as to establish an appropriate legal and institutional framework for the management of the environment; AND WHEREAS it is recognized that improved legal and administrative coordination of the diverse sectoral initiatives is necessary in order to improve the national capacity for the management of the environment; 

The act states that everyone ( citizen) is entitled to a clean, safe and healthy environment and has a duty to clean and safeguard it.

What is the purpose of  the EMCA act? 

The act provides for a basis for protection of the Environment by provision of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Auditing and monitoring.

"Section 9 (i) of EMCA mandates the authority to exercise general supervision and coordination over all matters relating to the Environment and to be the principal instrument of the government of Kenya in the implementation of all policies relating to the environment"  (www.nema.go.ke) 

The act also provides ground for a legal and institutional framework for sustainable management of the environment, by outlining management principles, impact assessment as well as risk assessments, prevention and control. others include; Waste Management, Environmental quality standards, public participation, compliance and enforcement.

Amendment of EMCA in Kenya

In 2015, Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), was subjected to amendments in order to be up to date with the new constitution of 2010.