Law N°034-2002/AN on the orientation of pastoralism in Burkina Faso seeks to guarantee the rights of pastoralists, promote sustainable management of pastoral resources, and resolve conflicts linked to pastoralism while fostering the socio-economic development of pastoral communities.

Here is a summary of the main provisions and obligations of this law:
Objective: The law aims to define guidelines for pastoralism, encouraging sustainable management of pastoral resources and preservation of the pastoral way of life.
Land rights: It recognizes the land rights of pastoralists to rangelands, guaranteeing their access and use for livestock farming.
Pastoralists’ mobility: The law preserves the right of pastoralists to mobility, necessary for their transhumant livestock activities, by defining the conditions for movement and access to resources.
Protection of natural resources: imposes obligations for the protection of natural resources in pastoral areas, notably by regulating the use of pastures and the management of water points.
Conflict management: The law provides mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of pastoral conflicts, promoting mediation and consultation.
Droit d’Usage: It enshrines the right of pastoralists to use pastoral land, allowing the free movement of herds in accordance with traditional practices.
Community participation: The law encourages the participation of pastoral communities in resource management and decision-making affecting their activities.
Promotional measures: This includes measures to promote pastoralism, notably through the development of livestock-related infrastructure and the provision of appropriate health and education services.
Training: The law encourages training for those involved in pastoralism to improve their skills and promote sustainable breeding practices.
Social protection: It establishes provisions for the social protection of pastoralists, recognizing their contributions to the country’s food and economic security.

Law N°003-2011/AN of April 05, 2011 on the Forestry Code in Burkina Faso aims to regulate and promote the sustainable management of forest resources.
Main objective: The law aims to ensure the conservation, protection and sustainable management of forest resources for the well-being of present and future generations.

Definitions : The law clearly defines forestry-related terms and concepts for common understanding.
Use rights: This establishes the use rights of local populations to forest resources, taking into account the principles of sustainability.

Sustainable management: The law encourages sustainable forest management by integrating ecological, social and economic principles.

Authorizations and concessions: It establishes procedures for granting forestry authorizations and concessions, taking care to avoid over-exploitation.

Protection of classified forests: The law reinforces protection measures for classified forests, which are essential for biodiversity and ecosystem preservation.

Stakeholder responsibilities: This defines the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, including local communities, the private sector and the state.

Ecosystem restoration: The law encourages the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems to strengthen environmental resilience.

Control and monitoring: It establishes control and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with forestry regulations.

Penalties: The law provides for severe penalties in the event of non-compliance with the provisions of the Forestry Code, thus deterring illegal activities.

Forest planning: Forest management plans are established to guide the long-term management of forest resources.

Forest certification: The law encourages the certification of forest products to promote responsible and sustainable trade.

Community participation: This promotes the active involvement of local communities in decision-making on forest resource management.

Research and training: The law encourages research and training in the forestry sector to improve practices and build capacity.

Transparency: It promotes transparency in the management of forest resources, with the regular publication of information.

Forest fire management: The law establishes forest fire prevention and management measures to minimize risks.

Management of protected areas: This includes specific provisions for the management of protected areas, which are essential for biodiversity conservation.

Adaptation to climate change: The law incorporates measures to address the challenges of climate change in the forestry context.

International cooperation: It encourages international cooperation to strengthen cross-border management of forest resources.

Periodic review: The law provides for periodic review mechanisms to adapt to changes and challenges in the forestry sector.

Law N°017-2006/AN, establishing the Urban Planning Code in Burkina Faso, aims to regulate urban development in a coherent and sustainable manner. The aim of this legislation is to regulate land use, construction and the management of urban areas, in order to promote harmonious development.

The French Urban Planning Code sets out the rules governing land use, building permits, construction standards and the protection of the urban environment. It seeks to promote environmentally-friendly urban planning practices, encouraging the preservation of natural resources and the creation of areas resilient to climate change.

This law aims to introduce participatory urban planning mechanisms, involving local players in decision-making. It contributes to the fight against uncontrolled urban sprawl, encouraging the densification of urban areas for a more efficient use of land.

Law N° 034-2012/AN of July 12, 2012 on Agrarian and Land Reorganization in Burkina Faso aims to modernize and rationalize the legal framework relating to agricultural land management. Its aims are to promote land equity, secure farmers’ rights, encourage agricultural investment and boost the sector’s productivity.

The law provides for the implementation of agrarian reorganization procedures for more efficient land use, notably through the consolidation of plots. It establishes principles of social justice by promoting equitable access to land, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

Securing the land rights of local communities and farmers is a key aspect of the law, aimed at preventing conflicts over land ownership. It encourages the formalization of customary rights and land transactions.

The law also promotes good agricultural practices and the sustainable management of natural resources. It seeks to integrate environmental aspects into agrarian planning to ensure the sustainability of farming activities.

In summary, Law N° 034-2012/AN on Agrarian and Land Tenure Reorganization in Burkina Faso aims to modernize land management and guarantee equity, security and sustainability in the use of agricultural land, thereby contributing to the country’s economic and social development.

Law Nº 002-2001/AN lays down the fundamental principles of water management. It recognizes the right of everyone to have access to water that meets their needs and the basic requirements of life and dignity.

The conservation of the biological diversity of aquatic ecosystems is a priority of general interest. The law determines the various physical states and geomorphological situations of water that are included in the public water domain.

The hydrographic basin is the appropriate framework for planning and managing water resources; water action plans and water development and management schemes, which fall within the remit of the State, set the guidelines for sustainable management within a basin, or group of basins, or a portion of a watercourse or aquifer system.

Law n°017-2014/AN was passed to regulate and restrict the production, import, marketing and distribution of packaging and bags, in response to environmental concerns about plastic pollution. This legislation aims to reduce plastic waste and mitigate its negative impact on the ecosystem.

The main objectives of this law are to phase out the excessive and harmful use of plastic packaging and bags, thus encouraging the adoption of environmentally-friendly alternatives. It also seeks to raise public awareness of the ecological consequences of plastic waste and promote more sustainable practices.

By banning the production, import, marketing and distribution of packaging and bags, the law seeks to stimulate innovation in sustainable packaging design and promote a circular economy. It may also include provisions to penalize offenders, thus reinforcing enforcement and compliance with environmental regulations.

In summary, Law n°017-2014/AN aims to combat plastic pollution by banning various activities linked to plastic packaging and bags, thus encouraging more environmentally-friendly practices and contributing to the preservation of ecosystems.

Law N°022-2016/AN of October 11, 2016 in Burkina Faso authorizes the ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted on December 12, 2015 at COP21. This law reflects Burkina Faso’s commitment to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.

The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. By ratifying this agreement, Burkina Faso is committed to taking national measures to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen its resilience to climate impacts and thus contribute to global climate stability.

The effects of this ratification in Burkina Faso include the implementation of policies and projects to promote renewable energies, energy efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices. The country also plays an active role in international climate negotiations and raises public awareness of climate change issues.

Law N°024-2018/AN, which sets out a strategic vision for spatial planning and sustainable development in Burkina Faso.

This legislation aims to provide a legal framework to guide the judicious and balanced use of land, integrating economic, social and environmental considerations. The objectives of the law include promoting harmonious spatial planning, preventing regional disparities, and encouraging citizen participation in the decision-making process.

The law establishes guiding principles for land management and development, promoting sustainability, inclusiveness and resilience to climate change. It seeks to establish effective territorial governance by strengthening coordination between the various stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society and the private sector. It sets up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that planning policies are effectively implemented.

Law N°024-2018/AN thus contributes to shaping a coherent territorial development that meets current needs while preserving resources for future generations. It represents a commitment to sustainability, equity and democratic participation in development planning in Burkina Faso.

Law N°008-2014/AN on the Orientation Law on Sustainable Development in Burkina Faso, which sets out the general guidelines for the implementation of sustainable development in Burkina Faso and aims to create a unified national reference framework to ensure the coherence of stakeholders’ actions through appropriate legal, political and institutional reforms, in order to guarantee economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and social equity in all development actions. It applies, in particular, to all laws and regulations, policies, strategies, plans, programs and public or private development projects in Burkina Faso.

In terms of the fundamental rights and obligations of sustainable development players, the law guarantees the right to sustainable development for all. Every individual or legal entity has the right to information held by the public authorities, subject to compliance with national security and defense regulations; to take part in the sustainable development decision-making process; and to administrative and legal remedies.

With regard to the bodies and institutions involved in implementing sustainable development, the law creates a National Council for Sustainable Development (CNDD) under the institutional supervision of the ministry in charge of sustainable development. It coordinates the implementation of sustainable development tools, and drives and guides actions in favor of sustainable development. It ensures that sustainable development is promoted and taken into account in laws and regulations, development programs and projects, plans, policies and strategies, as well as in the activities of non-state actors. The powers, organization and operation of the National Council for Sustainable Development are determined by decree issued by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister for Sustainable Development.

In addition, a Fund for Future Generations has been set up, under the supervision of the Ministry in charge of sustainable development. It is financed mainly by a portion of the revenues generated by the exploitation of non-renewable natural resources, and is intended to fund sustainable development activities. The remit, organization and operation of the Future Generations Fund are determined by decree issued by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister for Sustainable Development.

Lastly, it creates a General Commissariat for Sustainable Development within the Prime Minister’s office. The Commissariat Général au Développement Durable (General Commission for Sustainable Development) verifies that sustainable development is taken into account in laws and regulations, development programs and projects, plans, policies and strategies, as well as in the activities of non-state actors. The remit, organization and operation of the Commissariat Général au Développement Durable are determined by decree issued by the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Minister for Sustainable Development.

Law N°038-2018/AN on investment codes in Burkina Faso aims to promote a favorable environment for investment and economic development. Adopted in 2018, this law aims to create an incentive regulatory framework to attract domestic and foreign investment, foster economic growth, and create jobs.

Investment codes, covering a variety of sectors such as industry, agriculture, services, etc., are integrated into this law to offer tax benefits and other incentives to investors. The aim is to stimulate private investment, diversify the economy and accelerate the country’s sustainable development.

The law aims to simplify investment-related administrative procedures, guarantee transparency in the process, and ensure the protection of investors’ rights. It also promotes corporate social responsibility by including environmental and social clauses in investment codes.

The flexibility granted to investors under these codes helps to boost Burkina Faso’s competitiveness on the international stage. The law also provides for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of investments on the country’s economic and social development.

Decree n°98-323/PRES/PM/MATS/MIHU/MS/MTT was issued to comprehensively regulate urban waste management in Burkina Faso.

The main objectives of this decree are to promote efficient and ecologically responsible urban waste management, while minimizing environmental and health impacts.

This decree establishes clear standards for the collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of municipal waste. It seeks to encourage the introduction of selective collection and recycling systems to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

In addition, the decree aims to guarantee the safety of workers involved in waste management by setting occupational health and safety standards. It also encourages public awareness of waste management practices and promotes shared responsibility between authorities, businesses and the general public.

The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972, is an international agreement aimed at identifying, protecting and conserving sites of outstanding value to humanity.

It encompasses both cultural and natural sites. Key objectives include preserving cultural and natural diversity, and promoting sustainable management of World Heritage sites.

In Burkina Faso, several initiatives have been undertaken in line with this convention. Cultural sites such as the Ruins of Loropéni have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. These initiatives aim to safeguard unique cultural elements and promote a global appreciation of cultural diversity. For natural sites, the W-Arly-Pendjari National Park, rich in biodiversity, has also been listed.

Burkina Faso has put in place conservation strategies, educational programs and management measures to ensure the preservation of these sites. International cooperation, notably with UNESCO, has played a crucial role in strengthening these initiatives and promoting a global approach to world heritage protection. These efforts reflect Burkina Faso’s commitment to preserving the world’s cultural and natural heritage, in accordance with the principles of the Convention.

Law N° 009-2018/AN on expropriation
in Burkina Faso sets out the procedures and principles governing the process of expropriation in the public interest. Passed in 2018, the law aims to balance public and private interests while ensuring fair and equitable compensation for affected landowners.

The central objective of the law is to facilitate the realization of essential infrastructure projects, such as roads, public facilities, or other initiatives deemed to be of public utility, by enabling the State to acquire the necessary land while respecting the rights of property owners. It seeks to establish a transparent legal framework, specifying the conditions under which expropriation can take place.

The law defines expropriation procedures, including the steps to be followed, the criteria for declaring the property to be in the public interest, and compensation mechanisms. It aims to ensure fair compensation for affected owners, taking into account the market value of the property, any losses, and other relevant factors.

The aim is also to enhance the legal certainty of expropriation transactions, minimize potential disputes, and promote the country’s harmonious development by enabling projects of general interest to be carried out. The law encourages transparency, citizen participation and accountability in the expropriation process.