An important step towards a healthy and sustainable future.
WILLEMSTAD - On October 4, 2024, the Parliament of Curaçao made a historic decision by unanimously approving the Air Quality Act. With 15 votes in favor and none against, this law marks a significant step toward ensuring the health of the community and the environment for the future.
The law, introduced by the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature under the leadership of Minister Gilmar Pisas, is the result of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life on Curaçao. This initiative directly responds to a 2022 court ruling that required air quality standards to be based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and enshrined in law rather than in ministerial decrees.
The ministry worked with urgency and determination on this project, consulting with various groups and state bodies (such as the Advisory Council and the Social-Economic Council) to create a law that reflects the need for environmental protection and the well-being of the people. The law not only sets clear air quality standards but also establishes regulations that require businesses to comply with specific permits and allows for fines to be imposed on violators.
This achievement is not just a victory for the ministry but also for the country as a whole. With the approval of this law, Curaçao demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility and to creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone. The law puts Curaçao on a path to protect the community from air pollution, promote public health, and improve conditions for sustainable development.
The Pisas II Cabinet is particularly proud of this accomplishment, just a year and a half after the court ruling, and remains committed to implementing the law as quickly as possible so that the people can benefit from the protection it offers. Curaçao is one step closer to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.