Mission of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development

The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development is the national public agency responsible for matters related to the environment and sustainable development. It performs and promotes activities directed at sustainable development through the formulation, adoption and technical and regulatory orchestration of policies, based on the principles of participation and integrity in public administration.

Vision of the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development

To take the lead in making decisions related to the building of social equity with respect to environmental management, and sustainable development, by establishing sustainable development policies and strategic alliances with social and institutional actors in different inter-sector and regional contexts.

Institutional Framework

• 1968 - The INDERENA [National Institute of Renewable Resources and the Environment] is created with the objective of coordinating the management of renewable resources.
  
  
• 1974 - The Natural Resources Code is issued for the purpose of preventing and controlling pollution.
  
  
• 1992 - The Rio Declaration establishes the concept of sustainable development and guarantees the survival of the planet.
  
  
• 1993 - Creation of the Ministry of the Environment through Law 99 of 1993
  
  
• Decree 1868 of 1994 - Structure of the Ministry.
  
  
• Decree 2298 of 1994 - Ministry Staff.
  
  
• Decree Law 344 of 1996 - Grants special powers to the President of the Republic.
  
  
• Decree 1687 of 1997 - Merges some offices in the Ministry of the Environment.
  
  
• Decree 2139 of 1997 - Establishes the staff of the Ministry of the Environment.
  
  
• Law 489 of 1998 - Grants extraordinary powers to the President of the Republic.
  
  
• Decree 1124 of 1999 - Modifies the structure of the Ministry of the Environment.
  
  
• Decree 2687 of 1999 - Establishes the staff of the Ministry of the Environment.
  
  
• Decree 527 of 2000 - Modifies the structure and staff of the Ministry of the Environment.
  
  
• Decrees 1977 and 1998 of 2000 - Modify the Ministry''s staff and structure, and reinstate Decree 1124 of 1999 and Decree 2687 of 1999.
  
  
• Law 790 of 2002 - Grants extraordinary powers to the President of the Republic.
  
  
• Regulatory Decree 190 of 2003.
  
  
• Decree 216 of 2003 - Defines the objectives and organic structure of the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Development, and adopts other provisions.
  
  
• Decree 217 of 2003 - Eliminates the staff positions of the Ministry of the Environment, establishes the staff positions of the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Development are established, and adopts other provisions.