Welcome to the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) Website! NEMC is a public service institution whose business is the conservation of the environment for improved quality of life of Tanzanian people. NEMC under the Vice President’s Office is mandated to spearhead programs related to environmental and resources protection, conservation and management. NEMC came into being in 1983 as an advisory body to the Government when the Government enacted the National Environment Management Act No. 19 of 1983. NEMC was re-established and empowered by the Environmental Management Act of 2004 (EMA Cap.191) as a national environmental regulatory and enforcement institution responsible for overseeing management and protection of the environment in Tanzania.

Visiting this website indicates clearly your interest on environmental issues and the willingness to avail your support to the Council’s undertakings. Our idea with this website is to inform and educate our stakeholders and the public about the environment and resources we have, which need to be protected, conserved and managed in order to ensure that the country and globe at large are benefitting.

Aside from good climatic conditions, we are all aware that Tanzania is endowed with abundant aquatic, terrestrial and other natural resources that are key to economic growth and development. We have almost all the resources needed to support our people’s livelihood and the economic activities such as land, air, atmosphere, water, wildlife, forests, mineral resources, wetlands, renewable energy sources, oil & gas to mention a few. Despite of their importance, our ecosystems are subjected to numerous environmental challenges that can be categorized as natural as well as anthropogenic. Some of the prominent environmental stresses have disrupted the native and endemic components of our ecosystems.

It is important to note that we are living in a moment where resources are depleted at higher rates than they can be replenished; changes in weather conditions are conspicuous; loss of biodiversity with species disappearing are reported in different parts of the country; water, soil and air are polluted with pollutants of unknown characteristics; and solid waste generation is as well is rampant. There are also problems linked to plastic and noise pollution. Other problems include deforestation, invasive species, natural calamities including disasters such as droughts, landslides, flooding are observed. In some cases, we are observing increased and new types of incurable diseases that are related to the environment. This situation calls for continued efforts in protecting the environment. This is to say we are obliged to bring environment into the center of decision-making process for the survival of the existing and future generations. Failure or hesitation to act will lead to a dire situation.

Therefore, in order to address and respond to these emerging environmental challenges, the Council has created different mechanisms to protect the environment. Such initiatives include undertaking of environmental impact assessments, compliance monitoring, research and project development and implementation, public outreach programs, implementing international, protocols, agreements and conventions, involvement in climate actions and liaising with stakeholders both internal and external as well as promoting circular economy. Apart from routine activities, Council is developing and implementing a wide range of projects on topics such as climate change; promotion of alternative technologies to mercury on artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities; enhancing the capacity of implementing the Environmental Management Act, 2004 at national to grassroots levels.

The Council performs its day-to-day activities based on its organization structure which comprises of the Directorates, Department and Units as well as the Zonal Offices. Currently, the Council has 13 zonal offices that have been intentionally established to bring services close to the public.

The Council affirms its commitment on its core values in addressing environmental challenges that the nation is facing. The Council is also aware that fulfilling environmental obligations alone is a daunting challenge and recognizes the roles of other entities including the public. The Council strives to guide and engage public participation in environment decision making processes and exercise general supervision and coordination using the best possible data, research and a commitment to transparency and accountability. The website provides information to the public about our roles, guidance, opportunities for collaboration and services offered by the Council.

After ending the year 2023 on a very strong note, we are geared up and ready to begin year 2024. We will continue serving our clients with passion and commitments by utilizing our expertise, the best skills we have and the developed ICT systems in order to deliver quality services to fulfill our customers’ expectations. With your support we believe we will continue well into 2024 in achieving achieving the objectives of Strategic Plan 2021/22 – 2025/26 that includes prevention and minimization of pollution from industries, addressing climate change issues and adequate integration of green initiative in developmental undertakings. Our undertakings are as well designed to implement the National Environmental Master Plan for Strategic Interventions (2022-2032).

I am convinced that more, and better sustainable environmental management practices will help improve our economies, as well as the quality of our lives. Thank you again to all the government entities, our clients, community and stakeholders for their commitment to the environment and for supporting our mission of enhancing environmental protection for the quality of life. With this background, I am welcoming you all to continue working with us knowing that proper and effective management of the environment requires involvement of all of us. We as a Council believe that working together will help us finding integrative, holistic and effective solutions to environmental challenges that we are facing today!

Thank you for visiting our website and your feedback is highly valued!