Is EIA practised in Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes. EIA has been required by the Town & Country Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development, for certain types of developments, since 1987 in Trinidad & Tobago. EIA has also been required by various international bodies, such as the World Bank, and companies operating in, or funding operations in Trinidad & Tobago. In 1995 the Environmental Management Act was passed, establishing the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), and requiring the development of a number of new procedures. Among these is the Certificate of Environmental Clearance, which is yet to be established, as the necessary subsidiary legislation is yet to be passed. The Certificate will need to be obtained before certain listed types of developments can proceed, and where the EMA deems it necessary, EIA will be requested as part of the information requirements for Certificate application. As a student of EIA, it is my impression that the proposed EIA system defined by the Certificate of Environmenta
