The legal framework for the CEP is provided by the Cartagena Convention that was adopted in 1983. This Convention, the only region-wide environment treaty, is a framework agreement setting out the political and legal foundations for environmental actions to be developed. These actions are directed by a series of operational Protocols, addressing oil spills, protected areas and wildlife (SPAW Protocol), and land-based activities and sources of marine pollution (LBSMP).

The CEP helps to protect the marine and coastal environments of the Wider Caribbean Region through its catalytic and facilitating role. This is accomplished through programmes that strengthen national and subregional institutions, stimulate technical co-operation among countries and by the creation of networks of information and people. The various programmes and activities of the UNEP-CAR/RCU assist the nations of the Wider Caribbean Region to chart a course for sustainable development and environmentally sound practices. The CEP assists in the co-ordination of International Year of the Ocean and has established co-operation with global agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Programme co-ordinates the collection, production, reviews and dissemination of studies, publications and the results of work performed under its aegis. From technical reports, to newsletter, to educational and awareness-raising materials, to technical protocols and agreements, the CEP organizes and hosts many seminars and workshops. These events bring together non-governmental organisations, environmental specialists, scientists, policy makers and others, including representatives of CEP member governments.

The activities of the CEP have been developed to support the implementation of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. In this capacity, the CEP has been co-ordinating activities regarding the conservation and management of endangered species and habitats of regional concern, the establishment and management of the protected areas, and the assessment, management and monitoring of land-based sources of marine pollution. The Programme has developed guidelines for best available technologies and practices for sewage and agricultural waste management, as well as oil spills contingency plans. Systematic assistance is also provided on integrated coastal area management through the promotion and application of regional guidelines. Other major activities are the promotion of best environmental management practices in the vital tourism industry of the Wider Caribbean and the creation of a network of marine protected areas.

The CEP is also assisting with the development of a regional network of marine and coastal information and data through the Internet. Databases on government and regional contracts, experts, and projects are maintained. Additionally, the programme develops geographic databases on relevant subjects, such as marine protected areas and endangered species.

The public is kept informed of the environmental activities in the Wider Caribbean through the publication of the CEP newsletter, CEP news, and its dynamic Internet Web site. The Programme is an important instrument for increasing public awareness, environmental education and capacity building through training and the publication of documents and materials.

The members of the CEP are the countries and territories bordering the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent portions of the Atlantic Ocean, south of 30° North latitude and within 200 nautical miles of the Atlantic Coast. This area, known as the Wider Caribbean Region, includes all the islands of the Caribbean, the North and Central American countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and the northern South American countries as far east as French Guiana. This region is a complex mix of peoples, languages and societies in one of the most culturally and ecologically diverse areas of the world.

The CEP also works closely with numerous organizations in protecting the Wider Caribbean marine and coastal environments. The Programme is primarily funded by the Governments of the region through the Caribbean Trust Fund. Additionally funds are provided by other governments, donor agencies and UNEP.

As an office of UNEP, the CAR/RCU co-operates with Regional Seas Programme and other UNEP initiatives, as well as many organizations of the UN system. International, regional and local non-governmental organizations, as well as academic and research institutions, participate in the many projects of the CEP and assist with their implementation.

More accessible and comprehensive information is available on the CEP web site, http://www.cep.unep.org/. This site provides further detailed information about CEP activities, office and staff. More importantly, the site also makes available to the world our library of technical reports, our quarterly newsletter, project update pages, environmental databases and directories, and links to other Internet resources.

The ETC occupies a 1.7 hectare site on the Murdoch University campus at which thirty-two environmental technologies have been combined to form an integrated operating demonstration system. The technologies used and researched at the site include climate-sensible buildings, renewable energy systems for power supply and water pumping, aquaculture systems, organic waste management, and permaculture. The integrated approach allows research to be carried out on the important interactions between different technologies, rather than just the effect of a single technology. This gives the ETC a considerable advantage over other research institutions which focus on single technologies in relative isolation. The ETC is able to offer holistic and flexible solutions to human needs.

The RADG established the ETC in order to provide an appropriate research and teaching location for integrated environmental technologies, and to educate and inform the public about environmental issues facing remote communities in Australia. The ETC’s activities have expanded since its establishment to include research into application of environmental technologies to developing countries and urban communities as well as remote areas. The RADG is the specific research group associated with the ETC, but the Centre’s staff also develop and work on projects not directly linked to the RADG.

The RADG and the ETC are key components of the Murdoch University-based Institute for Environmental Science, which was set up in 1977 to foster links between university research and industry. The Institute is based in the Division of Science at Murdoch University alongside the School of Environmental Science, one of the few schools nationally to focus specifically on teaching and research in environmental science. The aim of the Institute is to draw staff from the School into industry-focussed research. Its expertise in marine environments, land-based studies and air pollution has been used to solve industries’ environmental problems, and to provide specialist training for government and industry agencies.

The ETC will be part of the proposed new Australian Sustainable Development Centre (ASDC) to be established on the Murdoch University campus. This new initiative will link a range of institutions in Western Australia with complementary interests in sustainable development, including the applications of renewable energy, energy efficiency, water and wastewater systems, ecological health, indoor environments, solid waste recycling, transport, city planning, land care and the social aspects of sustainability. Participants in the ASDC will include:

• Environmental Technology Centre (ETC), through the Remote Area Developments Group (RADG);

• Waste Management;

• Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE);

• Institute for Science and Technology Policy (ISTP);

• International Centre for Application of Solar Energy (CASE); and

By integrating and acting as a shop front for these organisations, the ASDC will provide opportunities for increasing research, teaching/training and consulting, with a focus on the international market and the WA regions, as well as across Australia. It is also seen to be an incubator for further industry co-location opportunities at Murdoch. The ETC will bring considerable value to the ASDC through its link with the UNEP and its established track record in integrated environmental technology research. In turn, it will benefit from the synergy provided by the interaction of a range of institutions engaged in environmental research and development.