Environmental Management Act

The Environmental Management Act (EMA) provides Zimbabwe’s comprehensive legal framework for environmental protection, conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. The Act establishes the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) as the primary regulatory body and sets out binding principles for environmental governance applicable to all persons, businesses, and local authorities.

Key provisions include:

• Environmental Management Agency (EMA) – Creates EMA as a corporate body responsible for coordinating environmental management, enforcing the Act, and advising the government on environmental policy. EMA has powers to issue orders, conduct inspections, and initiate prosecutions.

• Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) – Mandates that any project likely to have a significant adverse effect on the environment (including dams, mines, factories, large-scale agriculture, roads, and housing developments) must undergo a rigorous EIA process before approval. The Act specifies EIA content, public consultation requirements, and decision-making timelines.

• Pollution control – Prohibits the discharge of pollutants into water, air, or land without a license. Establishes ambient quality standards and emission limits for industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources. Empowers EMA to issue clean-up orders and recover costs from polluters.

• Waste management – Imposes a duty on every person and entity to manage waste in an environmentally sound manner. Requires local authorities to develop and implement integrated waste management plans, including collection, recycling, and safe disposal systems.

• Biodiversity and natural resources – Protects endangered species, critical habitats, and ecologically sensitive areas. Regulates the use of forests, wetlands, and wildlife resources.

• Enforcement and penalties – Provides for inspection, monitoring, and audit powers. Prescribes severe penalties, including large fines and imprisonment, for environmental crimes. Also provides for citizen suits, allowing members of the public to bring environmental matters before the courts.

• Environmental Management Act pdf (357kb) [ download ]