Given that Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island state with a history of reliance on extractive industries like oil and gas, here are some factors specific to the country that may indicate why we haven’t signed the Escazú Agreement:
- Concern about impact on extractive industries
- The agreement’s emphasis on environmental impact assessments and public participation could potentially slow down or add costs to projects in the oil and gas sector, which is a major contributor to the country’s economy.
- Fear of increased litigation
- The Escazú Agreement’s provisions for access to justice in environmental matters could lead to an increase in lawsuits against the government and companies, potentially disrupting economic activity.
- Perceived lack of capacity
- The government may feel the country lacks the institutional and technical capacity to fully implement the agreement’s requirements, such as conducting comprehensive environmental impact assessments and ensuring meaningful public participation in decision-making.
- Dependence on foreign investment
- Trinidad and Tobago may be concerned that signing the agreement could deter foreign investment in the energy sector, as companies may perceive stricter environmental regulations as a risk or at least a new burden to the ease of doing businesss.
- Existing environmental legislation
- The government may argue that existing environmental laws and regulations are sufficient to protect the environment and public participation, and that signing the Escazú Agreement is unnecessary.
It’s important to note that these are just potential factors and the actual reasons for Trinidad and Tobago’s hesitance to sign the agreement may be more complex and nuanced.