| Overview : The Government of Botswana (GoB) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are implementing a project titled “Promoting production and utilization of Biogas from Agro-waste in South-Eastern Botswana (Biogas Project)”. The Biogas Project seeks to facilitate low-carbon investments in the production and utilization of biogas from agro-waste in the districts of South-eastern Botswana. The project aims to assist Government of Botswana through three project components: i. Institutional strengthening and capacity development; ii. Facilitation and establishment of biogas plants; and iii. Setting up of utilization and knowledge platforms. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) through the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control (DWMPC) whose main function is to provide policy direction on issues of waste management and pollution control seeks to undertake a consultancy to review waste management and pollution control legislation (Waste management Act of 1998, Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1971, Wastewater and Sanitation Management Bill of 2003) in order to harmonize these pieces of legislation and also accommodate emerging issues. The Ministry is in the process of developing the Integrated Waste Management Bill with the view to provide strategic direction and guidance towards sustainable waste management practices. In order to actualise this policy, there is need to develop legislative framework that will facilitate the implementation of the policy. It is envisaged that, the proposed legislative framework will adopt an integrated approach for the sound management of all forms of waste media covering solid waste, wastewater and air quality. The legislation will also draw from regional and international best practice on waste management. The Waste Management Act of 1998 is the main law regulating waste management in Botswana. In addition, there are several other laws that deal with certain aspects of waste management. The current legal framework for waste management is not comprehensive and in some cases outdated leading to a weak enforcement of the laws. Furthermore, several other government departments share concurrent jurisdiction over aspects of waste management resulting in a fragmented and ineffective approach to waste management. Penalties for infringing on waste management laws are also considered too low to be of any deterrent value. Botswana is a signatory to a number of international conventions and agreements that have relevance to waste management. These international instruments impose certain obligations on the State to put in place measures aimed at the proper management of specified types of waste. The proposed legislation should also provide an enabling environment for Botswana to fulfil its obligations under international conventions and treaties. The above mentioned gaps in the legislative framework have resulted in weak enforcement leading to poor waste management practices and associated environmental pollution of land, water and air. In order to address these challenges, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) through the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control (DWMPC) with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) intends to engage a consultant to undertake a legal and regulatory framework that will define the obligations of all stakeholders in the waste sector and provide a basis for regulating their behavior in order to protect public health and the environment. | 
