George outlines initiatives speeding up enviro authorisations in lower sensitivity areas
Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George says that making the department’s systems more efficient, transparent and responsive has been a key focus area for him during his first year as Minister.
In a wide-ranging address on developments since his appointment as a Government of National Unity Cabinet Minister, George highlighted the efforts that had been made to streamline governance and reduce bureaucracy in the department.
He said that a set of reforms had been implemented under the so-called ‘Regulatory Efficiency Strategy for Environmental Turbocharge’ programme to speed up approvals for energy and infrastructure projects while still protecting the environment.
“We’ve identified 11 Renewable Energy Development Zones where environmental-impact assessments are significantly simplified, reducing approval times from 300 days to 147.
“For lower sensitivity areas, we’ve introduced fast-tracked authorisations that can be processed in around 70 days.”
A Web-based environmental screening tool had also been launched to help developers identify low-impact sites for projects, streamlining planning and protecting biodiversity.
“And since July 2024, I have finalised 162 environmental appeals — 106 of them since our 100-day feedback session,” he said in an address on June 19.
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