Environmental Agency (Austenasia)
 Logo of the Austenasian Environmental Agency | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 28 February 2009 |
| Jurisdiction |  Austenasia |
| Headquarters | Blue Ridge |
| Minister responsible | |
The Environmental Agency of Austenasia, formerly known as the Environmental Office, is a department of the Home Office responsible for the protection, exploration and conservation of the natural environment of the Empire of Austenasia. It also regulates, funds, and administers the Imperial Geographical Society.
The Environmental Agency was originally known as the Ministry of the Environment when it was founded by Act 62 of the Austenasian Parliament on 28 February 2009 as a government ministry, but was renamed to the Environmental Office by Act 79 on 23 May 2009. On 30 June 2012, the Environment Act 2012 defined the duties of each department of the Environmental Office, and gave them the power to make orders in certain scenarios in order to fulfill their responsibilities (e.g. the Department for Sustainability can give an order limiting water usage during hot summers).
On 15 November 2016, the Environmental Office was renamed to the Environmental Agency and transitioned from an independent government ministry to a department of the Home Office. Emperor Jonathan I explained the government's decision by stating that "policy decisions made in regards to the internal affairs of Austenasia must be taken with the natural environment constantly in mind, not as an issue to be dealt with by another ministry". All powers and functions of the Agency remained the same as they had previously been.
The Environmental Agency is run by the Under-Secretary for the Environment (formerly Minister for the Environment), a position which has been held by Lady Addison O'Halloran since September 2021. To better co-ordinate the work of the Environmental Agency, since 28 July 2011 the responsibilities of the Agency have been carried out by specialised departments:
- Department for Sustainability
- Department for the Prevention and Reduction of Pollution
- Department for the IGS
- Department for Biodiversity and Conservation
- Department for the Regulation of Waste Disposal
