Abstract
In the last few decades, there has been increased worldwide awareness of the necessity to consider development from a holistic perspective, for human development without adequate environmental protection is undermined. Cameroon, like many other developing countries has made great strides in establishing and putting in place an environmental assessment system to mainstream environmental concerns into development initiatives. The full realization of this goal, however, depends on the effectiveness of the exercise which hinges principally on the provisions of relevant legislation, the institutional framework, the procedure and practice of the assessment process. Environmental assessment in many developing countries is fraught with a plethora of setbacks which can jeopardize the full contribution of the exercise to the attainment of the sustainable development goals, if not taken care of. Based on experience and field research, this study examines the current practice of environmental assessment in Cameroon, the difficulties encountered in developing countries, the chances of environmental assessment contributing to sustainability and makes recommendations on how to improve the practice in developing countries.
Highlights
Poverty and environmental degradation are intricately linked in a vicious circle, sustainable development and poverty alleviation can hardly be attained without2021, Vol 10, No 1 environmental protection
Based on experience and field research, this study examines the current practice of environmental assessment in Cameroon, the difficulties encountered in developing countries, the chances of environmental assessment contributing to sustainability and makes recommendations on how to improve the practice in developing countries
This was complimented by orders of the Ministry in charge of the environment, namely: Order No 0069/Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection (MINEP) of 8 March 2005 to set out various categories of operations subject to the realization of environmental impact assessment; Order No 0001/MINEP of 3 February 2007 defining the content of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); and Order No 0002/MINEP of 3 February 2007 specifying elements of ToRs for EIA for production, plantations and community forests
Summary
Poverty and environmental degradation are intricately linked in a vicious circle, sustainable development and poverty alleviation can hardly be attained without. Examples being Albania, Chile, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lesotho, Malaysia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe Others, such as Cameroon were still to make environmental assessment mandatory. 208) define environmental assessment as “The systematic identification and evaluation of the potential impacts of proposed projects, plans, programs, policies, or legislative actions upon the physical-chemical, biological, cultural and socio-economic components of the environment”. It can be broadly divided into two forms depending on the level and timing of its application.
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