There has been a heightened level of concern by the Egyptian public and government over environmental issues over the past few years. This trend is due to an awareness of the value of natural resources, and a desire to provide for the general welfare of the Egyptian people. This increase has manifested itself in the form of the adoption of the Law on the (Environment) and increasing environmental commitments.
[i] International Conventions
Egypt has signed and ratified 16
international conventions and treaties on the environment. Some of the
more prominent ones include:
• the Basel Convention on the disposal of hazardous materials,
•
the Convention of London of 1954, as amended, concerning maritime
pollution by oil and the Protocol of 1978, attached to the Convention of
London of 1973,for the prevention of pollution by ships.
Egypt has signed but not ratified a number for other conventions on the environment.
[i] International Conventions
Egypt has signed and ratified 16
international conventions and treaties on the environment. Some of the
more prominent ones include:
• the Basel Convention on the disposal of hazardous materials,
•
the Convention of London of 1954, as amended, concerning maritime
pollution by oil and the Protocol of 1978, attached to the Convention of
London of 1973,for the prevention of pollution by ships.
[iii] Protection of Land
In order to obtain license to build, investors engaging in all new developments are now required to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). The Law places a duty on the developer to monitor its compliance with environmental laws. Owners of existing facilities must also prepare an EIS for all new development.
[iv] Hazardous Waste and Materials
The Law on the Environment provides for detailed restrictions on the use, transportation, handling and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials, as defined in the law.
[v] Air Pollution
Egypt’s air pollution control efforts include emission control standards, zoning restrictions, controls on the use of pesticides, noise limits and standards for the maintenance of acceptable levels of radiation. Furthermore, limits are prescribed for the amount of heat, humidity and the quality of ventilation in the workplace.
[vi] Salt Water Environment
The Law on the Environment also regulates ship- based pollution of the marine environment, including discharges of oil and hazardous materials and the disposal of sewage waste and rubbish. The force of these provisions extends to both Egypt’s territorial waters and its exclusive economic zones Land- based sources of marine pollution are also dealt with by means of zoning restrictions and the granting the AEA sweeping enforcement powers to deal with polluters.
[vii] Other Elements
The Law on the Environment contains incentives for entities that operate in Egypt in an environmentally friendly manner thus encouraging compliance. The Law on the Environment provides for fines and in extreme cases prison for violations of its provisions.