Environmental Stakeholders Lament Lack of Specific Policies

January 9, 2025 – As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Trinidad and Tobago is expected to make it easier for citizens to adopt environmentally sensitive practices. However, this is not happening because certain policies and legislation are not yet in place. This issue was highlighted during a recent inquiry by the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament into the nation’s compliance with the SDGs, specifically Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 14 (Life Below Water).

Environmental stakeholders, including organizations like Environment Tobago, point to a lack of new environmental legislation over the past decade, as well as outdated and weakly implemented existing laws. They are also advocating for the country to sign on to the Escazú Agreement, a regional treaty that recognizes the right to a healthy environment as a human right. These gaps, they argue, are hindering progress towards a more sustainable future and making it difficult to achieve the nation’s environmental goals