Research and Training Area
Electronic Dialogue 2002
Environmental Compliance
and Enforcement in Latin America

The lack of effective environmental enforcement has been identified as a real problem in the Latin American region. What are the roots of this problem? Why do most Latin American countries fail to apply environmental norms, let alone comply with them? What is the responsibility of the different sectors involved (public, private and civil society)?

It is vital that we begin to identify problems, analyze related factors and propose solutions that could lead to effective application of environmental standards by authorities and compliance by communities.

The objective of the electronic dialogue was to provide a closer look at the identification and analysis of the problems linked to the lack of environmental compliance and enforcement in Latin America, on the basis of the positive and negative experiences of the different countries in the region, in order to build a program for environmental enforcement. Based on the exchange of opinions and experiences in different sectors and countries, the conclusions were not only of intrinsic value but also helped build the agenda for the 1st International Conference on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement in Latin America, which took place on 28-29 May 2002, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Dynamic of the Dialogue
The electronic dialogue extended over three weeks, from 5-22 March 2002, according to the following rules:

• All messages sent by the participants were received by the facilitator, who resent them to the list with related commentary.
  
• Participants were able to communicate in Spanish, English or Portuguese.
  
• Responses and comments from the facilitator were in Spanish.
  
• Discussions focused on the questions posed for the week in question.

Weekly issues

First week (5-8 March):
Definition and scope of the concept of "Enforcement"

Second week (11-15 March):
Related problems

Third week (18-22 March):
Positive and negative experiences