🌳 Cayman Islands government accused of undermining environmental legislation

Wayne Panton MP has accused the UPM government of the Cayman Islands of undermining the National Conservation Act (NCA), a key piece of environmental legislation. Panton alleges that the government is planning to dilute the NCA without a mandate from the people of the Cayman Islands and without any public consultation. The NCA was passed in 2013 after extensive public discussion and consultation, and its passage was seen as a victory for environmental conservation. 🌿

Despite opposition from some developers and government officials, there was no evidence that the NCA or its administrating body, the National Conservation Council, was hindering development. In fact, development has continued to thrive, with nearly 750 projects approved in 2019 alone, valued at over $890 million. Panton argues that the current pace of development is overwhelming and that the NCA is crucial for preventing uncontrolled and potentially damaging development. 🏗️

Furthermore, Panton criticises the UPM administration for failing to prioritise the National Climate Change Policy, despite the increasing impacts of climate change. He questions the need and urgency to amend the NCA, especially without public consultation, and warns of the potential consequences of yielding to special interests. 🌎