About the Environment Registry
The Environment Registry was created as a mandate under Part X: Section 87 of the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), 2019. It will assist the Department in monitoring, compliance, reporting and notification requirements under the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to which Antigua & Barbuda is a party; depositing information related to climate change, biodiversity, land management, pollution, and any other purpose in accordance with the requirements of the EPMA, 2019. The Registry will contain the EPMA Information System, Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) System and a place for rosters and notices.
The EPMA Information System serves as a document management system whereby various reports will be uploaded. These reports include, but are not limited to:
- the import, export, transportation, disposal and management of any hazardous substance or waste
- hazardous substances, permits or licences issued pursuant to the EPMA, 2019
- environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
- the dumping of wastes or other matter
- the import, export, storage, or transportation of endangered species of flora and fauna
- the administration of permit requirements under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES Convention)
- the issuance of permits and licences under this Act or regulations made thereunder
- any enforcement proceedings undertaken under this Act
- any other matter that may be prescribed by Regulations made under this Act
The components of Antigua and Barbuda’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system include the methods used to track specific activities and impacts; transparently communicate selected information to national stakeholders and/or the international community; and measures to ensure that selected reported information is accurate and complete as it relates to the MEAs. The climate change MRV system focuses on three main areas:
- MRV of Adaptation (to include Loss and Damage tracking and reporting)
- MRV of Mitigation Actions (to include GHG emissions)
- MRV of Climate Support (to include climate finance, technology transfers, capacity building)
The registry shall also have a section for Rosters and Notices, these include –
- qualified and accredited environmental consultants, environmental mediators, environmental laboratories
- current guidelines and codes of practice in environmental matters
- copies of all public notices required under this Act
- register of sources of pollution