Environmental governance refers to the
process of decision-making and
implementation of policies, regulations, and
actions related to the management,
conservation, and protection of the
environment and natural resources. It
involves the interaction between various
actors, including governments,
international organizations, civil society,
private sector, and individuals, to achieve
environmental sustainability.
Effective environmental governance
requires the development of legal
frameworks, institutions, and mechanisms
to ensure that environmental policies and
regulations are enforced, and
environmental protection is prioritized. It
also involves the participation of
stakeholders, including local communities
and indigenous peoples, in the decision-
making process to ensure that their
interests and concerns are taken into
account.
Environmental governance encompasses a
broad range of issues, including climate
change, biodiversity conservation, water
management, land-use planning, pollution
control, and waste management. Its
ultimate goal is to promote sustainable
development, which balances economic,
social, and environmental concerns and
ensures the well-being of present and
future generations.
Advantages:
1) Protection of natural resources:
Environmental governance helps to
protect natural resources such as
water, air, and land from pollution and
degradation. This ensures that these
resources are available for present and
future generations to use and enjoy.
2) Public health: Environmental
governance helps to reduce the risk of
exposure to hazardous pollutants,
which can have harmful effects on
public health. By enforcing regulations
and standards for environmental
protection, governments can ensure
that communities are protected from
harmful pollutants.
3) Economic benefits: Environmental
governance can provide economic
benefits by promoting sustainable
development and reducing the costs
associated with environmental
degradation. For example, investing in
renewable energy sources can create
jobs and reduce reliance on non-
renewable energy sources.
4) Social justice: Environmental
governance can promote social justice
by ensuring that vulnerable
communities are protected from
environmental harm. This can be
achieved through policies that address
environmental racism and
environmental justice.
5) International cooperation:
Environmental governance can
facilitate international cooperation and
collaboration to address global
environmental challenges such as
climate change and biodiversity loss.
By working together, countries can
develop more effective solutions to
these complex problems.
Disadvantages:
1) Lack of implementation: One of the
biggest challenges facing
environmental governance is the lack
of implementation of environmental
policies and regulations. Even though
governments have put in place
regulations and policies to protect the
environment, the lack of enforcement
means that many industries and
individuals continue to engage in
practices that harm the environment.
2) Inadequate funding: Environmental
governance requires significant
resources to implement, monitor and
 enforce policies and regulations.
Unfortunately, governments often
allocate insufficient funding for
environmental governance, limiting its
effectiveness.
3) Limited public awareness:
Environmental governance relies on
the public's support and cooperation
to achieve its objectives. However,
many people are not aware of the
impact of their actions on the
environment or the importance of
environmental protection.
4) Political influence: Environmental
governance can be influenced by
political agendas, which can
sometimes conflict with environmental
objectives. For example, governments
may prioritize economic growth over
environmental protection, leading to
policies that harm the environment.
5) Limited international cooperation:
Environmental issues are often
transboundary, and international
cooperation is necessary to address
them effectively. However,
international cooperation on
environmental governance is often
limited due to political and economic
interests.
6) Time-consuming legal procedures:
Environmental governance involves
complex legal procedures that can take
a long time to complete. This can make
it difficult to take timely action to
address environmental problems.
7) Lack of coordination: Environmental
governance involves multiple
stakeholders, including government
agencies, non-governmental
organizations, and private sector
actors. The lack of coordination
between these stakeholders can lead
to conflicting policies and objectives,
limiting the effectiveness of
environmental governance.
How is environmental governance
implemented in the Philippines?
Environmental governance in the
Philippines is implemented through various
laws, policies, and institutions at the
national and local levels.
Key components:
1) Environmental laws: The Philippines
has several laws related to
environmental protection, including
the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act,
Ecological Solid Waste Management
Act, and the Philippine Environmental
Impact Assessment System. These laws
set standards and guidelines for
various aspects of environmental
protection and management.
2) Government agencies: Several
government agencies are responsible
for implementing environmental laws
and policies in the Philippines. The
Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) is the lead
agency for environmental
management and conservation, while
the Department of Energy (DOE)
oversees energy-related
environmental concerns. The
Environmental Management Bureau
(EMB) is responsible for enforcing
environmental regulations, while the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)
manages mining-related activities.
3) Local government units: Local
government units (LGUs) are also
involved in environmental governance
in the Philippines. LGUs are
responsible for enforcing
environmental laws and regulations at
the local level, and they are expected
to develop their own local
environmental policies and programs.
4) Civil society organizations: Civil society
organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role
 in environmental governance in the
Philippines. They monitor government
compliance with environmental laws
and policies, and they advocate for
stronger environmental protections.
turtles, and dolphins, which can get
caught in fishing nets as bycatch.
Regulating tuna fishing can help
protect these other species from
accidental capture.

5) Public participation: Public 3) Protection of marine ecosystems:

participation is encouraged
environmental governance in the
Philippines. The government and CSOs
hold public consultations and hearings
to gather feedback and input from
stakeholders, and there are provisions
in environmental laws for public
participation in decision-making
processes.
Despite these efforts, the implementation
of environmental governance in the
Philippines faces challenges such as weak
enforcement of environmental laws,
inadequate funding and resources for
environmental agencies, and limited public
awareness and education about
environmental issues.
Why do we need to regulate tuna fishing
in the Philippines?
in Tuna fishing can also have negative
impacts on marine ecosystems, such as
the destruction of coral reefs and
other important habitats. Tuna fishing
regulations can help minimize these
impacts and ensure that marine
ecosystems are protected.
4) Economic benefits: Tuna fishing is a
significant industry in the Philippines,
providing jobs and income for many
people. However, unregulated fishing
can lead to overfishing and depletion
of tuna stocks, which can have
negative economic impacts in the long
run. Regulating tuna fishing can help
ensure the long-term sustainability of
the industry and the livelihoods it
supports.

Tuna is an important fish species for both

the Philippine economy and the world's
food supply. However, unregulated tuna
fishing practices in the Philippines can lead
to overfishing and depletion of tuna stocks,
which can have significant negative impacts
on both the environment and the economy.

Reasons:

1) Conservation of tuna stocks:

Overfishing of tuna can lead to a
decline in their populations, affecting
the long-term sustainability of the
fishery. Tuna fishing regulations can
help prevent overfishing and ensure
that tuna populations are conserved
for future generations.

2) Protection of other marine species:

Tuna fishing can also harm other
marine species, such as sharks, sea