Chile’s Environmental Policy & Sustainable Development
Chile’s Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development
Historical Context
Chilean economic development has historically relied on natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable. Copper mining remains a cornerstone of this development, alongside forestry, food processing, tourism, and services. However, this reliance has led to environmental challenges, including:
- Atmospheric pollution
- High rates of water pollution
- Inadequate urban growth management and solid waste disposal
- Soil erosion and degradation
- Poor management of hazardous chemicals
In response to these challenges, Chile has committed to several international agreements, including:
- The United Nations Convention on Climate Change
- The Convention on Biological Diversity
- Agenda 21
- The Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol (Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer)
- RAMSAR (wetland protection)
- CITES (trade in endangered species)
- Basel Convention (Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes)
- Convention to Combat Desertification
Fundamentals and Principles of Environmental Policy
Chile’s environmental policy emphasizes the efficient, equitable, and environmentally responsible use of all resources: natural, human, and economic.
Basics:
- Prioritizing the quality of life for all citizens
- Ensuring complementarity between socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability
- Promoting social equity and poverty alleviation
Principles:
- Implementing environmentally sustainable public policies
- Defining roles for both state and private participation
- Promoting responsibility and sustainability
- Emphasizing prevention, gradualism, and continuous improvement
- Strengthening accountability to the international community
Policy Objectives
General Objective:
The overarching goal of Chile’s environmental policy is to promote the environmental sustainability of the development process, improving the quality of life for citizens and ensuring a pollution-free environment, environmental protection, and the conservation of natural resources.
Specific Objectives:
The specific objectives focus on protecting public health and the environment, and implementing social, productive, institutional, and legal measures to achieve the overarching environmental policy goals.
Some Specific Objectives:
- Improve environmental quality
- Prevent environmental degradation
- Promote the protection of environmental assets and the sustainable use of natural resources
- Integrate environmental considerations into the production sector
- Involve the public in environmental management
- Strengthen environmental institutions at the national and regional levels
- Enhance and develop new environmental management tools
The Government’s Environmental Agenda
The government’s environmental agenda translates the policy objectives into concrete action lines in three key areas:
- A work plan outlining commitments related to the seven objectives of the Environmental Policy
- Priorities for improving environmental management in Chile
- Identification of major environmental issues requiring attention in the coming years
Law 19,300 and Key Environmental Management Instruments
Law 19,300 establishes mechanisms and instruments for environmental management, including:
System of Environmental Impact Assessment:
Similar to a technical or financial feasibility study, but focused on the environmental context.
- Environmental Impact Study (EIA): A comprehensive and detailed study of a proposed project or activity, providing information to predict, identify, and interpret environmental impacts, and outlining actions to prevent or minimize adverse effects.
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A narrower statement submitted by the investor to the competent authority (CONAMA or COREMA) for assessment. It evaluates risks to public health and potential impacts on cultural heritage.
National Environment Commission (CONAMA)
CONAMA is the state institution responsible for promoting environmental sustainability and coordinating actions related to environmental policies and strategies.
Objectives of CONAMA:
- Improve environmental quality
- Prevent environmental degradation
- Promote the protection of environmental assets and the sustainable use of natural resources
- Integrate environmental considerations into the production sector
- Involve the public in environmental management
- Strengthen environmental institutions at the national and regional levels
- Enhance and develop new environmental management tools
Organization of CONAMA:
- Board of Directors: Chaired by the Minister Secretary General of the Presidency and composed of 13 ministers.
- Executive Directorate: Headed by a Director responsible for four Technical Departments: Assessment of Environmental Impact Studies, Decontamination, Plans and Rules for Natural Resources, and Environmental Economics.
- Regional Offices (COREMA): Decentralized entities representing CONAMA in each region.
Conclusion
Chile’s environmental policy framework and institutions like CONAMA play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and addressing the environmental challenges facing the country. By prioritizing environmental protection and public participation, Chile aims to balance economic growth with the preservation of its natural resources for future generations.