The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations provide more information about the EIA process mentioned in Part 3 of the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act. Importantly, the EIA Regulations include the details of the decision-making process for assessing the environmental impacts of a proposed development on the environment.

The EIA Regulations today are made up of the

• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Order (Order No. 175 of 2011)
• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (Amendment) Order (Order No. 102 of 2012)

For a copy of an unofficial consolidated version of EIA Regulations please contact us

One of the roles of the department is to prepare environmental policies, plans, guidelines, procedures etc. Key environmental policies include the:

• Vanuatu 2030 The People’s Plan: National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 to 2030
• Vanuatu National Environment Policy and Implementation Plan 2016–2030
• Vanuatu National Environment Policy and Implementation Plan 2016-2030 Summary (English)
• Vanuatu National Environment Policy and Implementation Plan 2016-2030 Summary (French)
• Vanuatu National Environment Policy and Implementation Plan 2016-2030 Summary (Bislama)
• Vanuatu National Waste Management, Pollution Control Strategy and Implementation Plan 2016 - 2020
• National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan 2014 - 2020
• Vanuatu NBSAP 2018-2030

As the environment is a cross cutting issue, the department also works with other government agencies to develop sectoral and cross sectoral policies. For example, the Vanuatu Forest Policy 2013 - 2023.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) is responsible for administering a number of Vanuatu’s environmental protection and conservation laws. Part of the administration of the law is to encourage people to comply with the law and to take enforcement action when people don’t comply.

Where possible, DEPC engages with the community to encourage people to act in accordance with environmental law. But, when compliance approaches fail, enforcement mechanisms may be used.

All of the environmental laws administered by DEPC support this important compliance and enforcement role by providing powers for officers to: enter land to undertake inspections; take samples for testing and analysis; take photographs and measurements; and require the production of records and information.

Different laws also provide DEPC with different enforcement tools that can be used when a person hasn’t complied with the law. For example:

• where developments have gone ahead without approval, DEPC officers can issues notices under the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act [CAP 283] ordering work to stop or ordering the developer to restore the environment. Officers can also issue fines.
• where pollution is occurring, DEPC officers can issue notices under the Pollution (Control) Act No. 10 of 2013 ordering the relevant person to take measure to prevent, control or reduce the emission of pollution.
• Where ozone depleting substances have been imported by a person who doesn’t hold a licence, DEPC officers and officers of the Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue Department can seize the imported substance under the Ozone Layer Protection Act No. 27 of 2010.

If you think you have seen someone breaking our environmental laws, please contact us so that your complaint may be investigated and the appropriate enforcement action taken.

The Ozone Layer Protection Act and associated regulations implement Vanuatu’s obligations as a party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Ozone Layer Protection Act today is made up of the:

• Ozone Layer Protection Act No. 27 of 2010
• Ozone Layer Protection (Amendment) Act No. 4 of 2014
• Schedule to the Ozone Layer Protection Act No. 27 of 2010 (Amendment) Order

For a copy of an unofficial consolidated version of EIA Regulations please contact us.

The Ozone Layer Protection Regulations set out the fees and penalties that apply under the Act.