3.1 Waste and Waste Water Management

3.1.1 Waste Management

3.1.2 Waste Water Management

3.2 Oil and the Environment

3.2.1 Oil Operations

3.2.2 Legacy contamination

3.2.3 Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

3.3 Sustainable Tourism

3.4 Biodiversity Conservation and Management

3.4.1 Implementation of the National Nature Policy Plan
3.4.2 Netherlands Antilles Coral Reef Initiative (NACRI)
3.4.3 Sustainable Management of the Saba Bank
3.4.4 Sustainable Fisheries

3.4.5 Sustainable Nature Conservation

3.5 Sustainable Energy

 

4 Education and Public Awareness

4.1 Strategic partnerships
4.2 Fostering Civil Society activities

ACTIONS

The primary aim of waste policy is to reduce the amount of waste. More specifically the policy will aim for prevention, reuse or recycle, and adequate final disposal.

There is a good overall picture of the waste issue; management, the amount of waste, and its composition. Such data are essential before formulating policy aims. Over the past years substantial progress has been made in proper collection of waste; however reductions of waste destined for final disposal and adequate final disposal itself have lagged behind. Waste management will be approached in two stages: first the basic level—the minimal facilities for well organized collection and proper dump management—and secondly the target level, i.e. reduction of waste through prevention and reuse/recycling of selected waste components, with waste preferably being separated at the earliest stage. Criteria for the selection of waste components which should be reused or recycled are: the volume, market opportunities, and the degree of environmental threat. Local reuse has preference over reuse elsewhere.

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Assist islands in achieving basic level and target level waste management

Environmental standards for appropriate final disposal will be defined, and alternatives for the present final disposal will be studied.

Standards and regulations for final disposal of waste

Hazardous waste will get special attention. Recently an inventory was made in Curaçao of the amount, the composition and the possibilities to separately collect and finally dispose of these hazardous waste components. It will be determined whether a similar inventory on the other islands is necessary, or whether the information of the Curaçao study can be extrapolated. The bilateral agreement between the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands concerning the international transport of hazardous waste, as based on the Basel Convention, provides the opportunity to offer this type of waste for proper final disposal in the Netherlands. For quite some time the Netherlands Antilles have indicated that they will ratify the Basel Convention. This intention will be realized, depending as it does on the passing and coming into force of the National Environment Ordinance, national legislation on hazardous waste which still needs to be drafted, and the installation of an administrative organization to implement and enforce the regulations.

Management plan for hazardous waste

 

Promote ratification of Basel Convention

For the actual implementation of policy, custom-made instruments—policy framework, legal, financial and social instruments—will be developed. Not all the islands have a waste ordinance and an island policy plan in place. These islands will be stimulated to implement such instruments in a structured way. A model island waste management ordinance has already been developed.

Promote structured waste policy plans and adoption of island waste management ordinance

Cooperation between the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, cooperation with Aruba and regional initiatives on waste will be promoted by the central government. AMUST, Asosashon Maneho Uni di Sushi i Tecnologia, an association of the directors of the government-owned waste companies of the islands and Aruba, which was established in 1997, can play a central role in this. The aim of AMUST is to promote efficient waste removal and sanitation tasks through cooperation between the members. The past years AMUST has achieved good results particularly on a noncapital intensive level and should receive the necessary support to continue this course of action. Special attention should be given to cooperation in the area of recyclable waste components and problematic waste components, and cooperation in the field of organization, expertise and equipment.

To monitor the progress of policy implementation frequent consultations will be organized, particularly between the central government and the island governments.

Support for AMUST (cooperation & exchange)

3.1.2 Waste Water Management

Water treatment plant at Klein Kwartier, Curaçao

The primary aim of the waste water policy is to promote the adequate disposal and treatment of waste water.

It should be made clear right off that construction of an extensive infrastructure on all the islands, because of the enormous investments necessary for construction and maintenance, is not aimed for. Construction and maintenance of sewerage and treatment facilities is costly because of the widely spread housing and urban development, the hilly country and the geology of the islands.

 

Assist islands with wastewater management

Capacity building waste water personnel

Taking into account the detrimental consequences for the environment, it is necessary to set standards for waste water disposal in order to prevent or reduce those consequences. Particularly in coastal areas where sewage directly (i.e. outfalls) or indirectly (seepage, i.e. from cesspits or after reuse of treated sewage) affects coral reefs which are extremely sensitive to nutrients and pollution. The obligation to set such standards also results from the Third Protocol of the Cartagena Convention on Pollution from Land–based sources and activities (LBS protocol). The aim of this Protocol, which was signed by the Netherlands Antilles on October 6, 1999, is to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment by landbased sources and activities.

Standards and regulations for waste water disposal

Promote island waste water ordinances on all island

3.2 Oil and the Environment

Dead bird floating in the permanent oil slick on the western side of the Schottegat in Curaçao

Oil processing, transshipment, distribution and use of oil products are important economic activities for the Netherlands Antilles. To mitigate the major environmental impacts resulting from this inherently unsustainable industry, and to maintain a balance and mitigate conflicts with other economic activities and other sectors such as tourism and public health, it is paramount that its environmental consequences are taken care of in a thorough and timely fashion.

3.2.1 Oil Operations

Environmental standards have to be established for processes and installations of refineries, transportation, storage and distribution of oil and oil products within the Netherlands Antilles. The objective for such standards is to establish minimum regulations to which installations have to adhere in order to keep environmental and health damage to an acceptable level.

Although the need to regulate the environmental impact of the refinery in Curaçao has been the subject of much discussion, no study has ever been done of the investments that would be needed to bring the refinery up to par with modern environmental requirements, or the costs of clean-up operations, soil treatment, etc. after the end of the economic life span of the refineries and oil storage facilities, and the social, economic and ecological benefits of such investments. Recently the Refineria di Korsou commissioned a study of the economic benefits of the oil industry in Curaçao; however, none of the other aspects were addressed.

 

Cost-benefit analysis of oil industry Curaçao

The transport, storage, transfers and transshipment of oil require a nuisance permit. Such permits, whether already issued or being considered, need to be monitored and enforced. This is a task of the island territories; however, the smaller islands in particular need assistance in this. If the environmental and external costs are known a better price for the permit can be calculated; this would be beneficial for the whole island both in the short and in the long run.

The process of collecting and processing of used oil will have to be optimized for all islands and supported by regulations. In order to comply with international requirements to minimize oil pollution from operational processes in shipping, Annex I of MARPOL 73/78 needs to be implemented. In addition to the installation and use of port reception facilities, this also includes the regular inspection of the ships oil logs. The primary agency responsible is the Directorate of Shipping and Maritime Affairs together with the island harbor authorities; the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba can also provide support.

Aid inspection of large facilities in the small islands

3.2.2 Legacy contamination

During the many years the oil sector has been active in the Netherlands Antilles, a legacy of oil contamination with a permanent character has developed. Although the first priority is prevention of additional contamination, the existing contamination also needs to be taken care of.

Locations and levels of contamination need to be mapped, and a baseline situation needs to be established. This should be part of the “national environmental exploration”. In cases of transfer of ownership a detailed mapping is particularly important. The cost of such localized and specific studies should in principle be borne by the companies involved. Once the levels and characteristics of the contamination are known further decisions can be made.

Identification and mapping of contamination as part of “national environmental exploration

3.2.3 Oil Spill Preparedness and Response

Responsibility for the coordination of oil spill preparedness and response at sea on a national level lies with the Directorate of Shipping and Maritime Affairs. The directorate for Public Health to participates in this out of its own policy responsibility. The following issues have priority.

Full Implementation of 1992/CLC and 1992/Fund conventions

Cleanup and compensation costs in case of an oil spill can be covered through insurance regulated by the Civil Liabilities Convention (CLC) with added coverage in case of a large spill by the International Oil Spill Fund. Although all national legislation implementing these Conventions has been passed, the Netherlands Antilles are not yet a full partner in the fund. This can have grave consequences if a large oil spill occurs. Considering the oil transport related activities on several of the islands and the position of the islands with respect to oil shipping lanes, the chances of a large oil spill occurring in the Netherlands Antilles are significant. Therefore, full compliance to the requirements of the conventions will be promoted.

Oil Spill Contingency Plans

Oil spil in St. Eustatius in 2002. Dispersants were used (background) in shallow water where serious damage to sea grass beds or corals may result.

The oil spill contingency plans originally compiled in 1992 as part of the implementation of the cooperative Oil Spill Protocol of the Cartagena Convention, have to be updated. STIRANA, the national foundation for disaster preparedness, has taken the lead in this. These plans should not only provide for the organizational structure for actions in mitigating oil spill effects, but also need regulations about what kind of technique to use in which areas; particularly in the case of the use of dispersants, which can have seriously damaging effects in coral reef, sea grass or mangrove areas.
Sensitivity mapping, identifying areas of more or less vulnerability, can ensure that spill prevention and cleanup actions can be implemented in the most effective and efficient way. In this planning period sensitivity mapping of all islands should be finalized.

Sensitivity mapping for all islands

3.3 Sustainable Tourism

Reefs are an extremely important resource for tourism (Foto Kalli De Meyer, Bonaire)

Tourism, environment and nature are inextricably linked. Tourism is also one of the most, if not the most, important pillars of the economy of all our islands. Nowhere is the link between economic development and environmental care and nature conservation as clear and obvious as in tourism. It will be clear to anyone that it is crucially important to a tourism destination that nature and environment are healthy and that their qualities are controlled, because otherwise there would not be any attraction for tourists. Tourists are after all drawn by special or unique nature values and beautiful natural scenery, and demand a clean environment. A polluted environment or lack of natural values means an end to tourism, particularly since tourists from the western world, where most tourism originates, are increasingly demanding natural values, clean swim water, and fresh air.

Sustainable economic development requires sustainable tourism, and that requires a balance between tourism and nature, while socio-cultural aspects should also not be forgotten. Economy (tourism) depends on ecology (nature and environment). The primary objective then is to seek a balance between tourism and nature and the environment—ecologically sustainable tourism. This objective is described in greater detail in the “Sustainable Tourism White Paper”¹ , the result of a Sustainable Tourism Conference in 1998 which brought together experts from both the environmental sector and the tourism sector from every island.

Regular Sustainable Tourism Forums

Three activity areas can be distinguished:

• Promoting good planning of tourism development, closely coordinated with island nature plans and nature conservation management .
• Stimulating the tourism sector itself to act environmentally responsible and protect nature in all aspects.
• Improving the information available for tourists about acting environmentally responsible and protecting nature. This includes information targeted at local tourists, i.e. island residents visiting the beaches or recreating in other natural parts of the island.
  

Promote sustainability in the industry

Inform local and foreign tourists

3.4 Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Endangered endemic Bonairean "Lora" or Parrot (Amazona barbadensis bonairensis)

Biological diversity (in short biodiversity) is the diversity between and within species, the diversity of communities of landscapes, habitats and ecological systems. For life, including man, to thrive and survive, this diversity is essential. Diversity is needed for stability and adaptation of species and systems for their survival and evolution. Biological diversity also has its own intrinsic values, but from the viewpoint of mankind, biological diversity provides many services: air to breathe, food to eat and water to drink, but also resources for industrial processes, pharmacy, tourism and all other forms of human endeavor. The conservation of biological diversity is an integral part of sustainable development.

In an analysis of so-called biodiversity hotspots, areas with exceptionally high biodiversity, under threat, the Caribbean scored as one of the highest (Myers et al., 2000). As far as marine biodiversity is concerned, the waters of the Southern Caribbean, including the area surrounding Bonaire and Curaçao, are considered the second highest in the Atlantic Basin (FAO, 2003). This emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in the Netherlands Antilles, not only for the sake of its citizens, but also as a responsibility to safeguard a global heritage.

3.4.1 Implementation of the National Nature Policy Plan

The present National Nature Policy Plan³, decreed by Ministerial Decree⁴ in February 2000, describes the policy up to 2005. The legal base of this policy plan is the National Nature Conservation Ordinance (PB 1998, no 41), which implements several biological diversity related treaties for the Netherlands Antilles. These are the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Wetlands Convention (Ramsar), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Inter-American Sea Turtle Convention and the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean (Cartagena Convention).

The National Nature Policy Plan describes the instruments to safeguard biological diversity. Aside from legal protection of areas and species, these include in particular management models based on the realistic acknowledgement of the fact that humans play a role in the development of nature. For large parts of nature it is impossible to shut out all human influences. And of course humankind is part of nature, and cannot survive without nature. What is needed then is to make sure that all elements of nature can function optimally, without separating out any element. This approach is called the eco-system approach.

To attain this kind of nature conservation management a number of preconditions need to be met. There is a need for a thorough understanding of the prevailing natural processes, both in those directly involved in the management of an area, and in the rest of the population. Specific nature research and providing information to the general public in order to mobilize them for nature conservation are essential.

Actual nature conservation management is mostly the responsibility of the island territories. The central government has to see to it that the requirements of the various treaties are met. This task of implementing the treaties is partly delegated to the island territories by way of the National Nature Conservation Ordinance. Aside from a few issues that directly involve the central government, the central government mainly provides the policy framework, and supports the islands in the implementation of their task by providing guidelines, assistance, research coordination, and development of tools and methods. In analogy to the national nature policy plans, the islands are required to make their own nature policy plans, which will subsequently form part of the national policy.

Promote islands’ compliance with National Nature Conservation Ordinance

Update National Nature Policy Plan

These activities and instruments are focused on several issues. For protected areas, the different categories are described and the procedures to designate national parks. Alternative strategies for the protection of areas, like the ecosystem approach, are brought forward. To better manage the protection of species a publicly accessible da-tabase of all species from the islands will be set up. Among other things this database will help in the compilation of national and island “red lists” of threatened species, an important tool for policy development and legislation. Specific attention is given to the threat of invasive species. On a different note, guidelines for providing genetic resources will be compiled. Special attention is given to increasing public awareness of the need for conservation.

Most of the activities are in the process of implementation and will be further elaborated in the coming years. Every five years the national nature policy plan will be updated.

Implementation of National Nature Policy Plan:

• Eco-system approach research and pilot models
• Maintenance of biodiversity database and ‘red lists’ of endangered species
• Invasive species threat mitigation
• Elaboration of guidelines for access to genetic resources
• Increase public awareness of the need for conservation

3.4.2 Netherlands Antilles Coral Reef Initiative (NACRI)

Highly developed reefs are found both in Curaçao (above) and Bonaire, drawing many dive tourists tot he islands

Coral reefs are of immense importance to the Netherlands Antilles. Not only for the fishery, as protective barriers against the sea, or as rich depositories of biodiversity, but also for tourism. Tourism is the economic mainstay of all the islands and coral reefs are one of the most important attractions bringing tourism to the islands. Coral reefs that have been shown to be among the best of the Caribbean, notwithstanding the general deterioration of coral reefs in the islands, as is happening worldwide. Precisely because of this general deterioration of coral reefs, mainly due to human impacts, but exacerbated by global climate change, they require special attention. This has been recognized by the islands that all have, or are in the process of establishing, marine protected areas (MPAs). The central government also has a particular concern for the coral reefs and, as reefs are an international concern, and need protection on an international scale because of their susceptibility to transboundary influences, has joined the International coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). At the same time it has stimulated increased cooperation between the islands in the protection of coral reefs.

Continued coordination of Coral Reef Monitoring

Maintenance of central database for monitoring data

Maintenance of NACRI communication network

Continued coordination of NACRI

Organization of NACRI meetings

3.4.3 Sustainable Management of the Saba Bank

Lobsters are still plentiful on the Saba Bank. Sustainable management of the Bank is necessary to ensure they remain so.

The national Nature Policy Plan also discusses the Saba Bank. The Saba Bank is the only part of the Netherlands Antilles which does not fall under the jurisdiction of one of the islands; extending as it does beyond the territorial waters of Saba, with most of it in the Economic Fishery Zone of the Netherlands Antilles, it falls under the direct responsibility of the Central Government. It is a large shallow bank, larger in area than all the islands put together, and of vital importance to Saban fisheries. There is every reason to suspect that it is very rich in biodiversity, and there are indications there could be oil reserves located underneath it. As such an important natural resource, the Bank has the special attention of the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles.

In order to wisely use the natural resources of the Bank, while protecting both the fisheries and its biodiversity, the bank will be established as a special marine management area with a sustainable integrated management plan based on an ecosystem approach formulated in close coordination with the island of Saba. Such a management plan will allow use of the resources of the Bank while ensuring that the use is sustainable.

Saba Bank Special Marine Management Area

In order to realize an integrated sustainable management plan, a thorough survey of the Bank is necessary. As a first step a survey of the fisheries on the Bank was completed⁵ in the past planning period. In the coming period the biodiversity of the bank will be surveyed and mapped, and sensitive areas identified. Monitoring of the fisheries will be continued.

Biodiversity Survey of Saba Bank

Saba Bank PSSA designation by IMO

3.4.4 Sustainable Fisheries

Silk Snapper caught on the Sba Bank. If fishery is not managed carefully fish stocks will disappear.

Fishery is a perfect example of an economic activity which is completely dependent of natural resources. Not only to protect biodiversity, but also to protect the fishery itself, it is of the utmost importance that sustainability is the goal. Development of fishery must be a carefully considered process and must only advance when there is no doubt that stocks will continue to increase until the optimum sustainable yield level is reached.

Fishery management is the competence of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, however, within the framework of sustainable economic development, and given the expertise built up during the fishery survey of the Saba Bank, it was agreed that MINA will participate in the development of national fishery policy, and will continue to be closely involved with fishery management, particularly with respect to research and monitoring of the fishery in order to assure sustainability.

In preparation for the fishery policy formulation MINA is working on a quick scan of the fisheries on those islands where data are lacking, i.e. Bonaire, St. Maarten and St. Eustatius, and on further research of specific important fish stocks such as groupers. In the coming period these data are expected to be available and the formulation of fishery policy will be completed. In order to mitigate overfishing and speed up recovery of fish stocks, establishment of no-take marine reserves will be promoted on islands where they are still lacking.

Fisheries survey Bonaire, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten

Assessments of critical fish stocks

One of the concerns of the Netherlands Antilles recently has been the involvement of fishing vessels registered under Antillean Flag in IUU (Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported) fishing. MINA will co-operate with the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to draft adequate legislation to regulate fishing by Antillean vessels on the high seas, registration of fishing vessels, inspections, and catch data collection.

Promote regulation of Antillean high seas fishing activities

3.4.5 Sustainable Nature Conservation

The major problem of Antillean nature conservation at this moment is the lack of sufficient money to safeguard adequate management of protected areas, which is in the hands of non-governmental organizations. The nature conservation management organizations on each of the islands have an official legal mandate of the respective island governments to manage the legally established nature areas. Because of the deplorable financial situation in the Netherlands Antilles, the cutbacks in the public sector, the instability of protected area revenues, and the limited means to generate such revenues, stable management is very hard to realize at present. The island governments provide some support for the efforts of the nature conservation management organizations where possible, but are unable to provide adequate financial support. Revenues are mainly generated from diver fees (marine protected areas) and entrance fees (a number of terrestrial parks). Sometimes there are project grants from institutional donors but these generally exclude structural costs. The total income fluctuates widely from year to year due to changes in numbers of visitors, varying and unpredictable funding support, etc.

The problem of the inadequate financial basis for the management of protected areas in the Netherlands Antilles has been the focus of attention for some time now. MINA was mandated by the various nature conservation management organizations to take all necessary actions leading to sustainable finance of managing protected areas. A report “Budget and Financing Plan for the management costs of the main nature areas in the Netherlands Antilles” was produced and formed the basis for terms of reference for a study on a trust fund for nature management, with the central question being spe-cifically the conditions under which private donors would be prepared to make a structural contribution to nature conservation. The study, which will be completed in 2004, addresses not only the possibilities of raising money but also the technical and organizational aspects of the management and disbursement of such funds.

Trust Fund study completion

The nature conservation management organizations recently formalized their cooperation through the establishment of a foundation. The name of this foundation will be Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA). The nature management organizations have mandated the central responsibility in the short term to MINA to continue to explore all possibilities in order to achieve sustainable financing for nature conservation management, to take all necessary measures, and to coordinate all actions, in particular to proceed with the legal establishment of the foundation and communicate and co-ordinate all actions in case subsidy will be granted. In the medium long term a “secretariat” for the foundation will be established, which will take over all activities.

Seek, coordinate, and administer sustainable financing for nature conservation management

Establish DCNA Foundation

Assist in establishment of DCNA secretariat

3.5 Sustainable Energy

Windmills at playa Kanoa

An important part of sustainable development is sustainable energy. Considering the rapid developments in this area and the wish in several islands to provide in their energy needs in a more sustainable manner, the Central Government too needs to give more attention in its policy to promoting sustainable energy. This is even more important given the—understandable—tendency of energy producers and users to travel the traditional, non-sustainable path to provide for (rapidly) increasing demands. In looking out for the environment it is only natural that MINA should consider it her responsibility to formulate a sustainable energy policy.

To develop such a sustainable energy policy it is first necessary to determine the present situation, and from that formulate a threepronged policy based on

• Energy conservation – promoting reduction of energy use (including water-use reduction)
• Production upgrading – making environmentally unfriendly production methods cleaner and reducing their share in the production process
• Promotion of renewable energy sources like sun, wind, and sea.

Promote water and energy conservation

Bonaire started work on a broad survey of the potential for utilization of renewable energy sources to determine the most appropriate way of implementing sustainable energy production. Sustainable energy production fits in with Bonaire’s conservation image, and the island can expect it to greatly benefit both its economy and balance of payments in the long term. In the coming period such initiatives will be encouraged, facilitated, and supported where possible.

The theme energy (conservation) is closely linked to other departments, in particular the Ministry of Economic Affairs, so it is only logical to closely involve this department in the development of a policy to promote a more sustainable approach to energy supply.

 

Promote use of renewable energy sources

 

Continued support for FAPE

Inventory of present energy situation

Continued networking and organization of workshops on renewable energy use

Determine national Carbon Balance

Develop sustainable energy policy

4 Education and Public Awareness

Youth at work during the clean-up of a derelict nature area; a MINA Fund project

Where in the past Environmental Awareness and Education was mostly seen as a backup activity for the other themes of nature and environment policy, the awareness has grown that environmental and nature conservation awareness and public education are in itself policy goals; this in a modern society where governments find them-selves shifting the emphasis from initiation to incentivation of policies, programs and projects. Another important emphasis rests on regulation, and monitoring. This implies that civil society will have to take more of a lead in environmental policy, often with governments being one of the strategic partners.

4.1 Strategic partnerships

All this cannot be achieved without a strong environmental and nature conservation awareness base within civil society and its organizations and institutions. Of course there are scores of other areas and social issues that vie for societal attention. What is needed is a general vision and approach that will convince social decisionmakers as well as the public in general, that nature-related and environmental issues are as important to society’s wellbeing as are poverty eradication and creating jobs. This is done by promoting and introducing the general vision and concepts of sustainable development, whereby the sustainability of both human/social and natural/ environmental resources are presented as essential conditions for further social and economic development. This is only feasible in cooperation with other important agents both within and outside of government.

Therefore one important goal of governmental policy on nature and environmental public awareness and education, should be the establishment of partnerships for nature, the environment, and sustainable development. The strategic partners that must be reached are subdivided into eight sectors: government; environmental and nature conservation NGO’s; the education sector; the media; the tourism sector; other economic sectors; social, cultural and recreational organizations; and neighborhood organizations. Each of these sectors needs a different approach.

The following actions are anticipated in this planning period:

• Extension and formalization of networks and partnerships encompassing the strategic area’s mentioned above.
• Production and distribution of locally adapted informative and educational media as well as fostering such activities by civil society.
• Identification, formulation and implementation of integrated public awareness and education programs on both an island for island and interisland level.

Build or extend partnerships

Produce, distribute, and promote information materials

Foster and develop public awareness and education programs

The specific objectives of these actions are:

To promote awareness of the relationship between conservation of human/social resources and natural/environmental resources, as essential condition for sustained social, cultural and economic development;

To promote the knowledge of local ecosystems, and natural, urban, and mixed landscapes in a historic perspective;

To promote awareness of local environmental and nature legislation and policies, as well as of international treaties and obligations, and their consequences for human, social and economic behavior;

To promote awareness of the challenge pollution, waste and waste water problems pose for a Small Island Developing State and possible solutions, as well as implementation of these solutions;

To increase awareness of the importance of conservation and sustainable management of natural and environmental resources for sustainable tourism developments;

To increase awareness of the importance of sustainable energy use and production of ‘clean’ energy, as well as the relationship between these issues and worldwide climate change and sealevel rise;

4.2 Fostering Civil Society activities

Villagers planting trees in the village of Lagun, Curaçao; a KNAP fund project.

The initiatives to care for the environment and protect and preserve natural resources cannot only come from the government. The rest of society —NGO’s, the private sector—must also be actively involved in the efforts to create a greater sense of ownership with respect to environment and nature. To promote and stimulate such an active society, two financial instruments have been established. These are the KNAP Fund (Fund for Small Nature Projects Netherlands Antilles), and the MINA Fund (Environmental Fund Netherlands Antilles). A third financial instrument to promote civil activity is the Green Investment Scheme.

KNAP Fund

The KNAP fund is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of the Netherlands Antilles (VSO), the Dutch Ministry of Government Reform and Kingdom Relations (BVK), and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and Nature Conservation (LNV) established in 1995. Its objective is to stimulate nature conservation projects against the tendency to ignore nature conservation because of more immediately pressing needs (such as poverty alleviation), in order to better protect biodiversity and simultaneously increase community involvement with nature conservation issues.

To do this, the Fund supports small projects or initiatives from local NGO’s or private sector organizations by providing small grants. Funding is provided mainly by BVK (as part of the cooperative funding) and by LNV, with a small part also coming from VSO. MINA coordinates the Fund, with project proposals being evaluated jointly by MINA and LNV.

Continued management of the KNAP Fund

MINA Fund

Similar to the KNAP Fund above, the MINA Fund was established (in 1996) for projects in the area of environmental care and sustainability. The Fund is a joint initiative of VSO with the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Planning, and Environment (VROM), and BVK with the bulk of the funding coming from BVK and VROM. Analogous to the KNAP Fund, its objective is to stimulate environmental projects against the tendency to ignore the environment because of more immediately pressing concerns, in order to better protect the environment and simultaneously increase community involvement with environmental issues. In order to do so the Fund supports initiatives from NGO’s and the private sector. It is also coordinated by MINA, and project proposals are evaluated jointly by MINA and VROM.

Continued management of MINA Fund

Green Investment Regulation

A third instrument to stimulate environmentally beneficial or nature conservation activities, particularly from the private sector but also from NGO’s, is Dutch tax legislation called “Green Projects (Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) Regulations”⁶ which is an extension of the Dutch Green Projects Regulation which sets criteria for so-called ‘green projects’ under the Dutch Income Tax Act. Although this is a wholly Dutch regulation, it offers environmentally friendly projects a way to realize low interest financing from Dutch “Green Funds” maintained by several banks in the Netherlands. In order to be eligible for such “green funding” a “green certificate” from the Dutch VROM Ministry is needed. The application for green certification is handled by the particular “Green Fund” that is interested in financing the project. In the decision procedure for the certification MINA has an advisory role in order to assure that the project in question sufficiently meshes with established environment and nature conservation policy in the Netherlands Antilles.

Provide advice to VROM on ‘green projects’

NOTES

1. Nota Duurzaam Toerisme. Environmental Section, Dept. of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, Willemstad, April 1999. BACK TO TEXT
2. Verslag Nationale Workshop Duurzame Ontwikkeling. Sectie Milieu en Natuur, Dept. Volksgezondheid en Milieuhygiëne, Willemstad, November 1999. BACK TO TEXT
3. “Natuurbeleid van de Nederlandse Antillen – aan de dageraad van een nieuw millennium”. Environmental Section, Dept. of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene. Willemstad, February 2000. BACK TO TEXT
4. Ministerial Decree, February 1, 2000, No. 538/JAZ. BACK TO TEXT
5. Monitoring the Saba Bank Fishery. Dept. of Environment, Ministry of Public Health and Social Development. Willemstad, October 2000. BACK TO TEXT
6. Government Gazette, The Netherlands, 1 May 1998 BACK TO TEXT