The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wishes to advise developers and stakeholders that March 31, 2026 is the deadline for submitting annual environmental reports, a critical requirement for those dedicated to sustainable and responsible development.
What is an Annual Environmental Report?
An environmental report is a clear, structured document that assesses both the potential and actual effects a business or project may have on the environment. It provides key information on resource use, land modification, waste generation, and other activities that were undertaken by the developer during the year. The Environmental report also outlines the strategies that were implemented to reduce harm to the environment, meet legal requirements, and improve environmental performance.
Why should Developers complete and submit their Annual Environmental Reports?
Developers should submit their annual environmental reports to show that they are following environmental laws, regulations, and permit conditions administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In completing these reports, the developer is able to prevent legal penalties, fines, or project delays that can result from non-compliance.
Additionally, environmental reporting provides transparency, allowing the public and regulatory bodies to see how developmental activities affect air, water, land, and wildlife. Ignoring environmental impacts can lead to long-term destruction of ecosystems and serious health risks for people. For this reason, taking proactive steps to comply with environmental standards is important, not only to protect natural systems and public health but also to strengthen the developer’s position in a marketplace where environmental responsibility and stewardship is increasingly valued
Furthermore, since these reports offer a detailed summary of a project’s environmental impacts, it therefore allows the EPA to effectively monitor, evaluate, and support the operations of the business or project. To assist developers in fulfilling this obligation, there are two clearly defined options for preparing and submitting their annual reports to the Agency, each structured to ensure a thorough presentation of the environmental performance of their operations.
Under the first option, developers describe key aspects of their operations, including daily activities and any changes made during the reporting period; how waste and hazardous materials were managed, treated, and disposed of with measures taken to reduce environmental impact; and how they monitored and maintained compliance with applicable environmental standards. Under the second option, developers focus specifically on how they fulfilled each of the permit conditions set out in their Final Environmental/Operation Permit, documenting how every condition was met over the year. Both approaches ensure that the Agency receives a complete and accurate account of the project’s environmental impacts and compliance efforts.
Why should Developers complete and submit their Annual Environmental Reports?
- Online Submission:
- Visit the official EPA-GUYANA website.
- Navigate to the ‘Annual Report’ section.
- Submit report to the EPA’s email address: epa@epaguyana.org
- Receive confirmation of successful submission.
- Physical Submission:
- Visit the official EPA-GUYANA website.
- Navigate to the ‘Annual Report’ section.
- Download the Annual Report form.
- Complete the form with accurate and detailed information.
- Submit the physical copy to the EPA office by the specified deadline.
The EPA is urging all developers to submit their annual reports by March 31, 2026, to demonstrate compliance with their environmental permit conditions. According to the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05 “any person who holds an environmental authorisation and fails to comply, shall be guilty of an offense and shall be liable to a fine of not less than ($30,000) thirty thousand nor more than ($80,000) eighty thousand dollars”.
The Environmental Protection Agency offers compliance assistance to developers throughout this process. By working together and meeting these reporting requirements, we can promote responsible development that protects our environment for generations to come.
