DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Law and Practice Contributed by: Guillermo Estrella Ramia, Yamel Llenas Lajud, Mariela Santos Jiménez and Valentina Gallo Botero, Estrella & Tupete
14. Asbestos and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 14.1 Key Policies, Principles and Laws Relating to Asbestos and PCBs The management of asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Dominican Republic is gov- erned by a regulatory framework based on the princi- ples of precaution, prevention and progressive elimi- nation of toxic substances, in line with the country’s commitments under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Basel Conven- tion on Hazardous Wastes, both ratified by the nation. Domestically, Law No 64-00 on Environment and Nat- ural Resources prohibits the import, use and improper handling of toxic or hazardous substances, and man- dates the prevention, control and elimination of those posing risks to human health or the environment. The Technical Environmental Regulation for the Manage- ment of Hazardous Chemical Substances and Wastes establishes specific measures for control, storage and final disposal. Additionally, Law No 225-20 on Integrated Solid Waste Management and Co-processing introduces a comprehensive regime for hazardous or special-waste management, placing direct responsibility on the gen- erator for safe handling in accordance with technical standards approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. 15. Waste 15.1 Key Laws and Regulatory Controls Waste management in the Dominican Republic is primarily governed by Law No 225-20 on Integrated Solid Waste Management and Co-processing and its Implementing Regulation, which establish a compre- hensive system based on the principles of prevention, circular economy and extended producer responsibil- ity, complementing Law No 64-00 on Environment and Natural Resources. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is the competent authority to regulate, monitor and sanction the management of solid, hazardous and
Overall, the Dominican climate framework is guided by the following principles: • precaution; • prevention; • intergenerational equity; • common but differentiated responsibility; and • sustainability. These principles shape public planning, project evalu- ation and environmental management at both national and municipal levels. 13.2 Targets to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Dominican Republic has made formal commit- ments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2022–2030), submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFC- CC) in compliance with the Paris Agreement. According to the Second NDC, updated in 2022, the country pledges to cut GHG emissions by 27% by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual scenario, with most reductions being conditional on internation- al financial and technological support. The targeted sectors include: • energy; • transport; • agriculture; • waste management; and • land use.
The adopted measures include: • renewable energy expansion; • energy efficiency; • electric mobility; • integrated waste management; and • large-scale reforestation.
These goals are further embedded in Law No 1-12 on the National Development Strategy (END 2030), which prioritises the transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy, and in the National Climate Change Policy (PNCC) adopted in 2015.
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