Efficient service delivery, creating investor’s confidence and reducing the operating cost of business are key priorities for the government.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Waterways, Environment and Agriculture Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy while launching the Green Lane Permitting System to fast track the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) processes at the Ministry’s headquarters in Suva today.
The Green Lane Permitting System is an innovative approach taken by the Ministry of Environment with significant changes to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) procedures and processes.
While delivering the keynote address, Minister Reddy said this will result in timely service delivery and quality improvisation of the services provided by the Ministry.
Minister Reddy reiterated the changes will fast track the process and decrease the number of days taken to process the EIA and EMP applications compared to the current process.
“Effective 1st October 2020, screening timeline for EIA/EMP process will be reduced to 10 days from the current 14 days while the processing timeline of Terms of Reference (TOR) has been reduced from the current 30 to 20 days. Similarly, the review of EIA report by an external Committee, including public consultations will be done within 30 days as opposed to the current 35 days,” said Dr Reddy.
“This is being done with the view to fast track permit applications. If there are areas that are already under extraction/harvesting and if there is existing environmental data/information for that location (and the location does not fall under a Biodiversity hotspot), businesses may not have to undertake a detailed EIA – thus saving a huge amount of time,” said Minister Reddy.
Dr. Reddy said the launch of green lane (fast track) Permitting System will support and encourage businesses that can provide evidence for environmentally sustainable and friendly behaviour for their nature of work.
He said the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) permit applications will be fast-tracked for companies that can fulfil at least 50% of the criteria set under the new system. EIA Green Lane customers can expect their EIA screening process done in 7days, processing of Terms of Reference (TOR) in 15 days while the EIA report in 28 days.
Some of the criteria for the businesses to follow to qualify for the Green Lane Permitting System are business reliance on Natural resources, the Development process includes recycled or recyclable materials, Procuring materials that are from green suppliers/vendors, Previous clean history with the Department of Environment and Businesses that would directly contribute and impact the environment protection/conservation, climate change and social protection.