Overview

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is an Executive Agency that became operational on April 1, 2001.

NEPA represents a merger between the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and Utilization Commission (LDUC). The Agency results from the work of the Government of Jamaica Public Sector Modernization Programme (PSMP). The aim of the merger is to integrate environmental, planning and sustainable development policies and programmes and to improve customer service.

Our Mission

To promote sustainable development by ensuring protection of the environment and orderly development in Jamaica through highly motivated staff performing at the highest standard.

Our Vision

That Jamaica's natural resources are being used in a sustainable way and that  there is broad understanding of environment, planning and development issues, with extensive participation amongst citizens and a high level of compliance to relevant legislation.

Our Core Values

Integrity: We earn our reputation by adhering to the highest ethical standards, conduct and moral principles and at all times act in ways to preserve our integrity.

Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable to the public, accept responsibility for the decisions and actions that we take and will submit ourselves to the scrutiny that attends our decisions and actions.

Justice & Fair-play: In valuing the diversity in human nature and circumstances, we apply the principles of justice and fair-play in all our dealings within and outside the Agency to ensure that equity always prevails.

Customer Service: We acknowledge our role as a provider of services and will always strive to satisfy and exceed our customers’ expectations.

Teamwork: We foster collaboration and teamwork among staff while maintaining individual accountability.

Health & Safety: We strive to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.  


Empowerment: We aim to create a learning organization where all our employees are empowered to achieve excellence, and high levels of performance are recognized and rewarded.

Respect: We treat our team members, clients and partners with mutual respect and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of diversity.
 

Legislative Mandate

NEPA operates under the following Acts:

• The Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act;

• The Town and Country Planning Act;

• The Land Development and Utilization Act;

• The Beach Control Act;

• The Watersheds Protection Act; and

• The Wild Life Protection Act

• Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act 

   

Policies

The work of NEPA is guided by the following policies and plans:

• Jamaica National Environmental Action Plan (JaNEAP) 1999-2002

• National Physical Plan

• Policy for Jamaica's System of Protected Areas - 1997

• Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (Draft)

• Watershed Management Policy (Draft)

• Beach Policy for Jamaica (Draft)

• Environmental Management Systems Policy and Strategy (Draft)