Department of Environment Services
Vision
Environment resources efficienttly and effectively managed for sustainable
development.
Mission
To promote and ensure sustainanle management of the environment for the
environment for the present and future generation.
Functions
i) Conduct research, formulate national policy, strategies and plans for environment
management.
ii) Coordinate environmental issues of the various government institutions and other
agencies and also supervise national projects.
iii) Monitor perfomance of NEMA and other agencies for effectiveness in
implementating national policies, plans and standards for environment
management.
iv) Inspect and monitor local governments in environments in environment
management.
v) Provide technical advice and support to local governments.
vi) Mobilizd support and resources for environment management.
vii) Liaise with national, regional and international envionment agencies.
Department operational principles.
1. Ecosystem approach.
Ecosystem consists of communities of humans, animals, plants and micro - organisms
interacting with each other and with the non living elements of the environment.
Environmental protection and resource management should be based on an ecosystem
approach recognizing that all components in an ecosystem are closely linked and can not be
managed in isolation from one another.
2. Prevention and risk assessment.
Sustainable development approaches should emphasize the principle that is better to
"anticipate and prevent" environmental and resource degradation rathan than "react and
cure" the problem once it has occurred. DESS assesses the risk an environment management
issue could have on human health, the environment and socio-economic impacts, before
taking action and / or allocating resources to address the issue.
3. Precaution and shared responsibility.
When faced with uncertainity about whether a negative environmental impact will occur, it is
preferable to make a precautionary approach that preserves the environment status quo
especially if the cost of impacts would be high or even when there is insufficient information
about the impacts. Sustainable development approaches require the commitment and
participation of all parties, industries,governments, academia and the private sector,NGOs,
CSOs and the public.
4. I ntergration.
The environment must be managed in such a way that it is intergrated into all aspects of the
economy and society including business, government and individual decision making.
Communication is fundamental to encouraging intergrated environment and resource
use decisions, to improving the efficient and effective operation of the department and to
maintaining positive relations with stakeholders and public.
5. Stewardship.
Sustainable development approaches should be considered for their long-term benefits. Up
front costs should not be viewed as unrecoverable expenses but as investments with a
clear pay-back over the long term. We should also considerrecognize that our world and its
resources are not solely the possession of our generation, we must consider the needs of
furure generations and leave them un damaged or improved environment.
6. Full information on costs.
The price we pay for goods and services generally does not include "externalities" such as the
environmental damage or costs associated with their production and use. Information about
environmental costs should be made available so that sound decisions can be made in the
market place.
7. Accountability.
DESS officers are aware of their roles and act as the department representatives by providing
quality services in a timely manner which are comprehensive and well- prepared. All requests
are handled expendiousily and projectsare tracked and progress communicated at regular
intervals.
Department stakeholders.
The DESS tsakeholders are divided into three (3) groups namely;
a) Ordinary stakeholders; Comprise of all legally constituted organizations whose activities
focus on the direct provision of ENR management services to the informal and formal
government institutions and NGOs.
b) Associate stakeholders; Comprise institutions that promote ENR - sector development, such
as financial institutions (e.g. World Bank, ADB), regional network organisations (e.g. UNEP,
IUCN ), capacity building service providers (e.g. consultants, private sector development
centres, academia) e.t.c.
c) Individual stakeholders; Comprise of people and institutions carrying out activities directly
or indirectly benefiting or related to the ENR management.