Two different bills to help the Virgin Islands protect its natural environment are scheduled to move forward this week.
The first, a bill to help mitigate impacts of climate change in the territory, is due to get its first reading in the House of Assembly sitting that starts today. The second bill is still being drafted, but officials said it will cover all aspects of environmental protection.
Natural Resources and Labour Ministry officers met last week with regional climate change policy specialist George de Berdt Romilly to take “initial steps” toward creating a comprehensive law governing climate change mitigation, the environment and natural resources, according to a press release issued Friday.
The legislation has been “in the pipeline” for some time, NRL Deputy Secretary Joseph Smith-Abbott said in the release.
“The government noted that there was a need to protect and enhance the vital sectors of our economy, which are our tourism product and our environment,” Mr. Smith-Abbott said, adding that once completed, the law will boost the territory’s economy in addition to protecting the environment.
See the March 12, 2015 edition for full coverage.
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