The primary mission of the Policy and Planning Division (Environment) is to ensure that there is a balance between Government’s efforts to increase the pace of socio-economic development and the need to ensure conservation of Trinidad and Tobago’s natural resources. This is the heart of sustainable development and is the foundation of the mission, programmes and projects undertaken by the Policy and Planning Division.

To facilitate sound environmental management through developing, monitoring and coordinating the implementation of national policies, programmes and obligations under the multilateral environmental agreements.

The core activities of the Policy and Planning Division are:

• Assistance in the formulation of environmental policy, through relevant research and preparation of papers;
• Provision of technical support to the Permanent Secretary through the preparation of briefs, Notes for Cabinet, etc.;
• Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of environmental policy;
• Promotion and facilitation of the harmonisation of social and economic policies with national environmental policy objectives;
• Design and implementation of programmes and projects pursuant to national environmental policy objectives;
• Conduct of research to inform the formulation of environmental policy;
• Conduct of research to inform the formulation of environmental policy;
• Promotion and facilitation of Government’s efforts to promote sustainable development;
• Acting as the National Focal Point for the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is signatory;
• Working in close collaboration with the Environmental Management Authority, the Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited, the Institute of Marine Affairs, the Emperor Valley Zoo, Forestry Division, Horticultural Services Division, and the Meteorological Services Division in policy implementation;
• Assisting in the identification and mobilization of financial and technical assistance to support Government’s efforts to promote sustainable development;
• Representing the Ministry on technical committees
• Representing the Ministry/Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago at regional and international meetings/conferences

The Environment Division is responsible for the specialized unit that falls under the Division called the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit.

The Environment Division collaborates with various agencies and institutions including: The Environmental Management Authority
Forestry Division – Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources
The Institute of Marine Affairs
The Basel Regional Center
Trinidad and Tobago Solid Waste Management Company Limited
The United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme
The Food and Agriculture Organisation
All MultiLateral Environmental Agreements Secretariats
All Government Ministries

The management of the natural environment in Trinidad and Tobago is effected primarily through over one hundred (100) pieces of legislation; however the Environmental Policy and Planning Division does not have direct responsibility for their implementation. The Environment Division collaborates with the various state agencies in improving the environmental legislative and policy framework.

Projects funded under the Public Service Investment Programme (PSIP)

• National Hazardous Waste Inventory for the period 2004-2008
• Analysis of State Game Licenses
• Revision of Forest Policy and Redrafting of Protected Areas Policy

Projects receiving external funding which are administered by the Environmental Management Authority

• Terminal Phase out Management Plan (TPMP) for the phaseout of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Institutional Strengthening Programme V
• Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• National Capacity Self Assessment