Environmental Law Handbook for Businesses

by The AGENDA for Environment and Responsible Development and the Lawyers' Environmental Action Team (LEAT)

INTRODUCTION

As awareness increases and the economy grows, environmental regulations will have more of an impact on the economy and the economy more of an impact on the environment. Therefore, businesses must be familiar with both the relevant issues and the regulatory legal frameworks and should adopt a culture of voluntary compliance so that any economic development is "sustainable" for both the present and future generations of Tanzanians. It is within this context that this environmental law handbook for the business sector is prepared.

WHY SHOULD I READ THIS HANDBOOK?

As a business owner, manager or government offical, why should I read this handbook?

• Becuase it is my moral and ethical oblication to make sure that business and economic activities do not destroy the human and natural environment for both the present and future generations of tanzanians.
• Because businesses are required by the laws of Tanzania to take certain actions to protect the environment and ignorance of the laws is no excuse for bad practices.
• Because government has the power and in some cases the duty to enforce these and laws and my business may be affected.
• Becuase both the local and the international markets are now reactiing to the practices of businesses and their impacts on the environment (in other words, bad for the environment can mean bad for business).
• Read the book to find out what the environmental problems are, what are their solutions and what laws, rules and regulations govern businesses' environmental practices.

ABOUT THE LAWYERS' ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM

The Lawyers' Environmental Action Team is the first public interest environmental law organization in Tanzania. It was established in 1994 and formally registered in 1995 under the Societies Ordinance. Its mission is to ensure sound natural resource management and environmental protection in Tanzania. It is also involved in issues related to the establishment of an enabling policy environment for civil society, including civil liberties and human rights. LEAT carries out policy research, advocacy, and selected public interest litigation. Its membership largely includes lawyers concerned with environmental management and democratic governance in Tanzania.