National Environment Commission

The National Environment Commission is established under section 5 of the EPA 2002. It consists of

(a) the Prime Minister, as Chairman;

(b) the Ministers to whom are assigned responsibility for the subjects listed in the Second
Schedule; and

(c) such other Ministers as the Prime Minister may designate.

The Chief Commissioner may, from time to time, at the request of the Prime Minister, attend the meetings of the Commission.

Functions and powers of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall -

(a) set national objectives and goals, and determine policies and priorities for the protection of the environment, having due regard to the recommendations of the Minister;

(b) review progress made by public departments on any aspect of environmental management projects and programmes;

(c) ensure coordination and cooperation between public departments, local authorities, and other government organisations engaged in environmental protection programmes;

(d) make such recommendations and issue such directions as it may determine to public departments;

(e) monitor and review the activities of public departments concerned with the protection and management of the environment.

(2) The Director shall act as secretary to the Commission.

Powers of the Minister

The powers of the Minister are specified under Section 6 of the EPAct 2002. Subject to any direction by the National Environment Commission, the Minister shall:

(a) propose and develop policies on all aspects of environmental protection and management pursuant to national objectives and goals set by the Commission from time to time;

(b) coordinate and monitor all activities concerning the protection and management of the environment;

(c) investigate reports of pollution, spills, and other related cases;

(d) establish such standards for the protection of the air, land, water and as may be necessary to safeguard the human health and the environment;

(e) carry out research and commission studies on environmental quality and related matters;

(f) prepare environmental action plans and issue reports on the state of the environment in cooperation with other public departments, the Council, and non-governmental organisation or associations;

(g) initiate and coordinate actions required in a state of environmental emergency or any other situations which may pose a serious threat to the environment;

(h) appoint technical advisory committees or other committees;

(i) publish and disseminate information concerning the protection of the environment;

(j) carry out such other activities as may be necessary or expedient for the administration of this Act.