The Environmental Law defines the objectives and competencies of the Environmental Protection Fund, stating that it aims to finance environmental activities, studies, and projects to support the state’s efforts in environmental protection, natural resource conservation, and achieving sustainable development, through funding pioneering and experimental projects.

The fund is also responsible for preparing necessary studies for environmental programs, reviewing environmental impact assessment studies, and participating in financing environmental protection and pollution control projects according to environmental priorities approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

According to the law, the resources of the Environmental Protection Fund consist of the following:

• Amounts allocated by the state in its budget to support the fund.
• Grants, donations, endowments, and wills accepted by the Fund’s Board of Directors in line with the fund’s purposes.
• Returns from pioneering and experimental projects and fees for preparing studies and consultations financed by the fund in the field of environmental protection, implemented through the Ministry of Environment and its affiliates, or in cooperation with government entities, the public business sector, national and foreign bodies, or civil associations.
• Resources stipulated in the Natural Reserves Law.
• Fees for granting permits for usufruct rights or practicing activities within natural reserves.
• Proceeds from licensing fees for environmental work and certificates accrediting experts and consulting firms.
• Fees for administrative expenses necessary for reviewing environmental impact assessment studies, inspections, and measurements, not exceeding 100,000 Egyptian pounds per study, inspection, or measurement, with categories determined by a decision from the Minister of Environment after approval of the Fund’s Board.
• Proceeds from environmental approvals and permits issued by the Environmental Affairs Agency, including approvals related to the handling or use of coal, not exceeding 1% of the price per ton of coal used, with fee categories determined by the Minister of Environment after Board approval.
• Fines and compensations imposed or agreed upon for environmental damages, deposited in the fund as trust funds, including temporarily collected amounts under fines and compensations accounts for environmental damages.
• Returns from investing the fund’s resources according to decisions made by its Board of Directors.