The Botswana Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association (BEAPA), an organisation that represents environmental practitioners will launch next week. The not-for-profit professional body was set up for practitioners registered under the Societies Act.

Mr. Tshekedi Khama

The association operates mainly through the BEAPA Board, a body corporate, established by the Environmental Assessment Act of 2011. “The purpose of the Board is to regulate practitioners of environment assessment through registering and certification of practitioners for both environmental protection and public good.”

In its regulation of environmental practitioners BEAPA does; registration and certifies qualified persons as environmental assessment practitioners in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act and Regulations.

It also establishes and maintains a register of individuals who are qualified to operate as practitioners; the register is available from BEAPA offices and online, ensures promotion of sustainable development through the practice of environmental assessment and promotes continued professional development of practitioners while also prescribing and enforcing a Code of Conduct.

“Where such is not followed, BEAPA can also take disciplinary action”. On the other hand, BEAPA advises the minister on environmental assessment issues or issues that may impact on sustainable development as necessary.

The BEAPA launch will take place on the background of the BEAPA AGM where members will be reviewing the progress made in the association. The launch will done by the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama on August 2, 2016 at Pavilion, Fairgrounds from 1200hrs to 1300hrs.