For 25 years, the responsibility for environmental issues in Trinidad and Tobago was handled by various ministries under successive governments.

In this time, investments in the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment of Trinidad and Tobago were somewhat limited and uncoordinated. This resulted in a patchwork of approximately forty (40) pieces of legislation addressing various aspects of environmental management and some twenty-eight (28) government agencies involved in carrying out the associated functions and activities.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is a statutory body established by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in June 1995 under the Environmental Management Act.

Under the Act, the EMA is mandated to:

• Draft and enforce laws and regulations for environmental management
• Educate the public about the nation's environmental issues through awareness programmes
• Consider applications for Certificates of Environmental Clearance to new development projects that may impact the environment
• Request an Environmental Impact Assessment from the developer when required
• Co-ordinate environmental functions performed by organisations and persons in Trinidad and Tobago
• Provide for the designation and protection of environmentally sensitive species and areas
• Develop and establish environmental standards and criteria
• Ensure the effective enforcement of environmental laws
• Establish and co-ordinate institutional linkages locally, regionally and internationally

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