The Ministry

The Biodiversity Programme aims to contribute to national development through the conservation of Barbados’ biodiversity resources and the enhancement of their management through:

1. the management of local species through the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) Policy Document;
2. the execution of public awareness programmes aimed at raising the awareness of the general public of the importance of biodiversity;
3. the implementation of various biodiversity related Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to which Barbados is a Party, including the administration of the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Act CAP. 262, which provides for the implementation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Barbados and the issuance of import, export and re-export permits.
4. the development, management and execution of externally funded projects, which help Barbados to meet its international obligations and achieve national objectives articulated in various national policies; and
5. the development of plans, policies, programmes and legislative instruments.

For more information please visit: https://biodiversity.gov.bb/

The Coastal Zone Management Unit’s mission is to develop and implement a national risk resilient Integrated Coastal Zone Management policy and planning framework and, through acting as key advisors to government, support the provision and coordination of quality, timely and relevant information to those who require it.

“A coast to be proud of, which is valued, appreciated and safeguarded as a place to live, work and relax.”

For more information please visit: https://coastal.gov.bb/

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is a regulatory government agency under the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification.  It was established in 1971 and has responsibility for environmental monitoring and control of conditions likely to affect the quality of the land, air, water, and the general health and environmental well-being of the inhabitants of Barbados.

For more information please visit: https://epd.gov.bb/

Vision

Effective management, conservation and sustainable use of fisheries and aquaculture resources that maximize social and economic benefits to fisheries stakeholders and contribute to food security.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Fisheries Division is to manage and sustainably develop the fisheries resources of Barbados for the benefit of our people, both present and future generations.

Objectives

1. To improve fisheries governance systems

2. To implement legal provisions and administrative measures for locally based fishing operations

3. To upgrade/maintain fisheries infrastructure and equipment, in keeping with adaptation to disaster risk management and greening of the sector

4. To collaborate with Regional and International Fisheries Institutions in development and implementation of management measures for sustainable fisheries of shared and national Fisheries Resources using the ecosystem approach

5. To develop a fisheries data and information system for evidence based decision-making and monitoring, control and surveillance

6. To build development capacity of public and private stakeholders participating in the harvest, post-harvest and aquaculture sub-sectors in operational standards/best practices and participatory management.

For more information please visit: https://www.fisheries.gov.bb/

This Division has responsibility for the provision of support services to fishermen and fish vendors that ply their trade in the island’s fish markets. This Division is expected to maintain the upkeep of the markets in a manner that would promote and encourage entrepreneurship in the fishing sector. It is also responsible for maintaining quality control of produce sold in the markets. The operations and management of the markets are governed by the Barbados Markets and Slaughter Houses Act.

For more information please call: 1(246) 535-6249

Opened in 2019, these beautiful gardens feature a wide variety of colorful tropical flowers as well as shrubs and trees. You’re greeted at the entrance by a colorful combination of yellow and orange Pride of Barbados shrubs, our national flower.

Throughout the gardens charming butterflies dance from flower to flower, a clear demonstration of the health of the gardens and the synergy between flora and fauna. Here you’ll discover various shades of Allamanda flowers mingling with the vibrant Crown of Thorns; multi-colored crotons blending with pretty red Ixora flowers; and the delicate plumbago fluttering alongside periwinkles.

The property covers over 250 acres, much of which is open space. It’s an ideal spot for reflection, exploration, and exercise. If you wish to visit at a quieter time then weekdays are best. Children love playing on the open grass and among the trees, while adults relax on the benches and picnic tables, or in the shade of the trees.

In addition to reflecting the flora of Barbados, this space is an international garden with flowers and trees planted by dignitaries from around the world including Argentina, Suriname, Kenya and Ghana. Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland also planted a Baobab Tree in the gardens.

The overall goal of this National Garden is to conserve the island’s natural wonders and to demonstrate the importance of the protection of flora, fauna, habitat and ecosystems for residents and visitors to Barbados.

Admission to the National Botanical Gardens is free.

For more information, please call: 1(246) 536-0592/93/94 

The Natural Heritage Department (NHD) is mandated to institute the vision, principles, objectives, goals, policies and guidelines for sustainable management of Barbados System of Parks and Open Space. Additionally, the NHD has some governance responsibility for all terrestrial Protected Areas in Barbados.

These areas are categorised as follows: –

• OS1: Barbados National Park
• OS2: Natural Heritage Conservation Areas
• OS3: Coastal Landscape Protection Zone
• OS4: Barbados Public Parks and Open Spaces
• OS5: Natural Attractions
• OS6: Barbados National Forest Candidate Sites

The NHD executes specific work programmes for the conservation of designated OS1, OS2, OS6 and some OS4 Sites, with focal areas being the three (3) largest National Park Villages of Boscobelle, Belleplaine and Bathsheba. Other sites of ecological importance under the mandate of the Department, in need of protection, include the Harrison’s Cave Zone of Special Environmental Control (HCZSEC), Special Development Areas (SDAs) and the UNESCO Barbados World Heritage Property, Historic Bridgetown and Its Garrison.

For more information please call: 1 (246) 438-7761 or email: heritage@barbados.gov.bb

The Policy Research, Planning and Information Unit’s (formerly the Environmental Unit) role surrounds the provision of facilitation, information dissemination, and research functions to support environmental policy design, implementation, evaluation and report processing.

The PRPIU works collaboratively with the technical/regulatory agencies, and administrative section to provide operational support to the Permanent Secretary in the discharge of the Ministry’s mission.

The guiding philosophy of the PRPIU is:

“Providing the Policy Research, Planning and Information environment needed to support Barbados’ thrust as the leading SIDS Green Economic Exponent, and, Exporter of environmental technical assistance.”

The objectives of the PRPIU are:

1. To support national policy processes aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability principles are at the centre of macroeconomic growth strategies.
2. To facilitate and enable localized community involvement in environmental stewardship and in adopting a sustainable lifestyles philosophy throughout Barbados.
3. To ensure Barbados’ school system remains a key agent in interpreting, promoting and pursuing sustainable development.
4. To support the ministry’s input into national governance (planning and review) processes and mechanisms.
5. To engage the multilateral system towards realizing national sustainable development goals.

Workstream II: Climate Change, Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Hydrofluorocarbon (HFCS) Management and Global Environment Facility

This Work Stream of the Policy Research, Planning and Information Unit (PRPIU) addresses the coordination of Barbados’ national, regional and international interest and obligations as a Party to:

• (i) the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
• (ii) the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer; and
• (iii) the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

In the early 1990’s, the decision was taken by the Government of Barbados, under the Ministry of Health, to create a structured framework with respect to the management of solid waste which was fast becoming a critical issue for the island.

To this end, the Integrated Solid Waste Management Programme (ISWMP) was conceptualized and formulated under the Solid Waste Project Unit (SWPU) now known as the Project Management Coordination Unit (PMCU).

For more information please visit: https://solid.gov.bb/

The core responsibilities of the Sanitation Service Authority are as follows:

1. The collection and disposal of refuse;
2. Street cleaning;
3. Operation of Public Baths and Conveniences;
4. Administration of five (5) public cemeteries; and
5. Contract Administration and Supervision of the Sustainable (Barbados) Recycling Centre Inc.’s contract with the Government of Barbados.

For more information please call: 1 (246) 535-5000