For 25 years, the responsibility for environmental issues in Trinidad and Tobago was handled by various ministries under successive governments.

In this time, investments in the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment of Trinidad and Tobago were somewhat limited and uncoordinated. This resulted in a patchwork of approximately forty (40) pieces of legislation addressing various aspects of environmental management and some twenty-eight (28) government agencies involved in carrying out the associated functions and activities.

The result was a lack of institutional and legal focus for environmental management and the continued degradation of the country's resources

From as early as 1985, the need for one agency to coordinate all environmental matters and clearly define the roles of all government agencies was acknowledged.

In 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit), held in Rio de Janeiro, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago committed itself internationally to addressing the country's crucial environmental problems and improving its future environmental performance.

Here the Government announced its intention to foster and encourage ecologically sustainable development.

But it was not until March 1995 that the Environmental Management Act No.3 was passed. The Act established the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and provided for its composition, administration, financing and role.

Start up funding for the institution was made available through a World Bank loan with additional assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Authority began operations in June 1995 and now facilitates cooperation among Government Agencies, NGOs and community-based organizations. The EMA is mandated to write and enforce laws and regulations for environmental management, to educate the public about the nation's environmental issues and to control and prevent pollution, as well as conserve natural resources.

The Environmental Management Act also required the establishment of a tribunal, known as the Environmental Commission a superior court of record that hears appeals from decisions taken by the Authority.