DEA Book

- Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson, Department of Environmental Affairs

20 Years of Creating Harmony between the Environment and its People

“ The earth belongs to all, young and old, and requires our joint protection for it to continue to sustain us�

“The earth belongs to all, young and old, and requires our joint protection for it to continue to sustain us�

- Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson, Department of Environmental Affairs

CONTENTS 4

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FOREWORDS:

Minister Edna Molewa Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS Chief Director – Communication Albi Modise

Content coordination

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CHAPTER 1:

16

CHAPTER 2:

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CHAPTER 3:

Socially empowering a nation

Publisher

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CHAPTER 4:

Van.fletcher@topco.co.za

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CHAPTER 5:

44

CHAPTER 6:

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CHAPTER 7:

54

CHAPTER 8:

58

CHAPTER 9:

World heritage sites

Images

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CHAPTER 10:

www.shutterstock.com

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CHAPTER 11:

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CHAPTER 12:

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CHAPTER 13:

84

CHAPTER 14:

90 98

Departmental programmes Environmental programmes

Biodiversity and conservation South African National Biodiversity Institute South African National Parks

Ralf Fletcher

Van Fletcher

Editor

Gwen Watkins Deputy Editors Fiona Wakelin

Jocelyn Stiebel

Project Manager Lee Roelofse

DEA supplied

Contact details

Top Media & Communications Pty (Ltd) t/a Topco Media

Going green

Bree Street Studios, 17 New Church Street 2nd Floor. Cape Town 8001

Oceans and coasts

PO Box 16476, Vlaeberg 8018 Tel: 086 000 9590

South African Weather Service Green scorpions protecting South Africa’s future

Fax: +27 21 423 7876

Email: info@topcomedia.co.za Website: www.topco.co.za Disclaimer All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in

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a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,

Waste management

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Topco Media (Pty) Ltd Reg. No. 2007/002190/07. While every care

CHAPTER 16:

Mining and environment

APPENDIX:

CEO

Kamiela Abrahams

Climate change and air quality

106

PUBLISHED BY TOPCO MEDIA

Emil Lime

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

CHAPTER 17:

Veronica Mahlaba

Designers

Rhino poaching

102

Lavinia Engelbrecht

has been taken when compiling this publication, the publishers, editor and contributors accept no responsibility for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions. ISBN: 978-0-620-65904-8

International engagement and programmes Law reform

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Operation Phakisa 297x240_.pdf

1

2015/05/11

4:37 PM

2014

3,900km

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of coastline & km islands

launches Operation Phakisa

of coastline & islands

World-class maritime World-class maritime infrastructure

Department of

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President Jacob Zuma launches Operation President Jacob Zuma Phakisa

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2,900

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GDP

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CY

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Rob Davies Lynne Brown Ngoako Ramatlhodi Tina Joemat Dipuo Peters Rob Davies Lynne Brown(DMR) Ngoako Ramatlhodi Tina Joemat Pettersson (DoE) (DPE) (DOT)Dipuo Peters (DTI)

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300 mT mT 300 Cargo

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barrels barrels estimated offshore estimated offshore reserves

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Boat & Ship Building Boat & Ship

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presidencey presidency environmentalaffairs affairs environmental planningmonitoring monitoring planning and evaluation and evaluation

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Thulas Nxesi Mapisa Naledi Pandor (DPW) Edna Molewa Nosiviwe Edna(DOD) Molewa (DEA) (DST)Nosiviwe Mapisa -Nqakula (DEA) -Nqakula (DOD)

of global fish supply

of global fish supply

1,0% 1,0%

contribution to SA fish supply

21

Security

375 years

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estimated equivalent of gas deposits offshore

• Increased production • Access to markets • Increased production • Rural development

• Access to markets • Rural development

21

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contribution to SA fish supply

estimated equivalent of gas deposits offshore

in range

Senzeni Zokwana Thulas Nxesi Senzeni Zokwana (DAFF) (DPW)

Research

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Department: Environmental Affairs REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Sustainability

Research

U

“ nlocking “ nlocking the economicthe economic potential of potential of Naledi Pandor Africa’s South South Africa’s (DST)

Sustainability

Designed by Department of Environmental Affairs Communications

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Y

Acronyms AEL

FTE

MoU

SAWS

AIS

GBCSA

MPA

SETA

Air Emission Licence Alien Invasive Species

AMCEN

African Ministerial Conference on the Environment

AQA

Air Quality Act

AQM

Air Quality Management

AQMP

Air Quality and Management Planning

ATC

Antarctic Treaty Commission

ATCM

Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

AU

African Union

BASIC

Brazil, South Africa, India and China

BBBEE

Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment

BEE

Black Economic Empowerment

BMP

Biodiversity Management Plan

ACRONYMS

CAHOSCC

Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change

CBD

Convention on Biological Diversity

CBNRM

Community Based Natural Resources Management

CITES

Designed by Department of Environmental Affairs Communications

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

DEA

Department of Environmental Affairs

EE

Employment Equity

EEZ

Exclusive Economic Zone

EIA

Environmental Impact Assessment

EIE

Environmental Impact Evaluation

EIM

Environmental Impact Management

EMF

Environmental Management Framework

EMI

Environmental Management Inspectors aka Green Scorpions

EPIP

Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme

EPWP

Expanded Public Works Programme

EU

European Union

Full Time Equivalent Green Building Council of South Africa

GCF

Green Climate Fund

GEF

Global Environment Facility

GHG

Greenhouse Gas

GIS

Geographical Information System

GOSM

Greening and Open Space Management

HCRW

Health Care Risk Waste

ICCWC

International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime

ICM

Integrated Coastal Management

IDP

Integrated Development Plan

IEG

International Environmental Governance

IEM

Integrated Environmental Management

IEP

Integrated Environmental Programme

IGCCC

Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change

IIWMP

Industrial Integrated Waste Management Plans

IOC

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

IPCC

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

IRP

Integrated Resource Plan

IWMP

Memorandum of Understanding Marine Protected Area

MSP

Marine Spatial Planning

NACA

National Association for Clean Air

NAQI

National Air Quality Indicator

NBSAP

National Biodiversity and Action Plan

NCCC

National Committee on Climate Change

NCCRP

National Climate Change Response Policy

NCMP

National Coastal Management Programme

NDP

National Development Plan

NEMA

National Environmental Management Act

NEMO

National Environmental Management of the Ocean

NIE

National Implementing Entity

NLDTF

National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund

NRM

Natural Resource Management

P&PP

People and Parks Programme

QCTO

Quality Council of Trade and Occupations

REDISA

Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa

REIPPPP

Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme

Industry Waste Management Plans

RESA

Kids in the Parks

SAAQIS

Kruger National Park

SADC

KwaZulu-Natal

SAEO

Long Term Adaptation Scenario

SAGEM

Long Term Mitigation Scenario

SANAE

Monitoring and Evaluation

SANAP

Millennium Development Goals

SANBI

Marine Living Resources Act

SANPARKS

KIP

KNP KZN

LTAS

LTMS M&E

MDG

MLRA MOA

Memorandum of Agreement

South African Weather Services Sector Education and Training Authority

SITA

State Information Technology Agency

SMME

Small Micro and Medium Enterprises

SOLAS

Safety of the Life at Sea

SRPP

Social Responsibility Programmes and Projects

TEEB

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

TFCAS

Transfrontier Conservation Area

TOPS

Threatened or protected species

UN

United Nations

UNCBD

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

UNCCD

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNCED

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

UNCSD

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

VTAPA

Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area

WEF

World Economic Forum

WfC

Working for Coast

WfW

Working For Water

Regional Environment and Social Assessment

WHA

South African Air Quality Information System

WHCA

Southern African Development Community

WHS

South Africa Environment Outlook

WIS

South African Green Economy Modelling

WOF

South African National Antarctic Expeditions

WSP

South African National Antarctic Programme

WSSD

South African National Biodiversity Institute

WTO

South African National Parks

YES

World History Association World Heritage Convention Authority World Heritage Sites Waste Information system Working on Fire Workplace Skills Plan World Summit on Sustainable Development World Trade Organisation Youth Environmental Services

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FOREWORD 8

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Minister

Edna Molewa Minister Edna Molewa has served the South African people since before the dawn of democracy, having been an educator, serving within the leadership of labour unions and being a staunch activist for the rights of women in particular.

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Minister Edna Molewa

Mrs Bomo Edna Molewa served as Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs of the Republic of South Africa from 1 November 2010, following the macroreorganisation of the state, which separated the Tourism from the Environment portfolios. Mrs Molewa served as Minister of Social Development (20092011) and Premier of the North West province (2004-2009).

Following the 2014 national elections, Minister Molewa has served as the political principal of the stand-alone Department of Environmental Affairs. Before joining the Environmental portfolio, Mrs Molewa served as Premier of the North West province.

Prominent leadership positions held by the Minister including serving as Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in the North West Province; Member of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) from 1996 and; Member of the ANCWL National Executive Council since 2003.

The Minister has completed a course in Economic Leadership for the New Millennium and Administration Management from Wharton School of Business in United States of America (USA), as well as a course in Leadership at Kennedy School of Governance. Minister Molewa holds a Certificate in Negotiating Skills by IMMS.

“Minister Molewa has served as the political principal of the standalone Department of Environmental Affairs since May 2014.”

MINISTER TIMELINE

DAWIE DE VILLIERS Minister 1994-1996

PALLO JORDAN Minister 1996-1999

VALLI MOOSA Minister 1999-2004

MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK Minister 2004-2009

BUYELWA SONJICA Minister 2009-2010

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FOREWORD 10

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Deputy Minister

Barbara Thomson Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson has been part of the struggle before the dawn of democracy in South Africa.

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Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson

She has served at various levels of the ANC structure in KwaZulu-Natal from branch up to the Provincial structures of the ANC as well as the ANCWL. She has been instrumental in organising formal structures of the ANC during the height of political violence in the then Midlands Region.

Deputy Minister worked very closely with the ANC stalwart, Mr Harry Gwala. She currently serves as the Provincial Treasurer of the ANC Women’s League in the KZN province. In 1995 she was elected to the National Assembly as a Member of Parliament where she served in various committees including Agriculture, Transport, Public Works and others. In 1999, she was re-elected to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) where she served as a Provincial Whip. She served on Mineral & Energy, Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Women, Children, Youth & Persons with Disabilities as well as the Joint Rules of Parliament. She was appointed to Chair the Committee of Women, Children, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

In 2010, she was appointed by President Zuma as a Deputy Minister of Energy where she championed increased access and participation of women in the energy sector.

Rural development and advocacy are her key strengths.

DEPUTY MINISTER TIMELINE

In 2014, she was appointed the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs where she continues to champion participation of marginalised communities in the environmental sector.

She has studied leadership communication as well as government policy with Rhodes University.

BANTU HOLOMISA Deputy Minister 1994-1996

PETER MOKABA Deputy Minister 1996-1999

REJOICE MABUDAFHASI Deputy Minister 1999-2004 2 0 Y E A R S O F C R E AT I N G H A R M O N Y B E T W E E N T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A N D I T S P E O P L E

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Departmental programmes The department’s mission is to provide leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection towards sustainability for the benefit of South Africans and the global community. The department’s mandated responsibilities are performed within the framework of the following seven integrated programmes:

CHAPTER ONE

ADMINISTRATION

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Administration provides corporate services, leadership, strategic centralised administration and executive support. It also facilitates effective cooperative governance, international relations and environmental education and awareness.

In support of government’s cost cutting measures, outlined by the Minister of Finance in his 2013 medium term budget policy statement, the department has begun to review and implement internal policies aimed at containing operational costs and eliminating non-essential expenditure. The department will also review, enhance and map key business processes aimed at improving operational efficiencies.

This will assist in streamlining and standardising processes to ensure business continuity, even in times of significant organisational changes and/or uncertainty.

There will be focus on reviewing and improving our information and communication technology platforms. The department’s relocation to a new green building with conference centres will contribute towards reducing our carbon footprint and improving operational efficiency.

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, AUTHORISATION, COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT The department’s key interventions are aimed at protecting the environmental focus of ensuring that relevant environmental legislation is in place and practical measures are taken to monitor and enforce the compliance thereof. In the 2014/15 year, the department will finalise the development of the Compliance and Enforcement Strategy for the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) and commence with implementation of the strategy in 2015/16. The strategy is aimed at ensuring that compliance and enforcement interventions are properly coordinated and effective.

As part of our compliance and enforcement interventions, the department’s EMIs will conduct inspections at various strategic facilities around the country. The aim is to assess compliance and ensure that individuals and industry regard the country’s environmental laws and the conditions stipulated in their various environmental authorisations and permits with sincerity - 135 environmental authorisations will be inspected in 2014/15. This will increase annually over the next five years, resulting in the inspection of over 750 facilities with environmental

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authorisations in the stipulated time. As part of the on-going capacity building strategy, 240 EMIs will be trained in 2014/15 and 1 060 EMIs will receive training over the next five years. The department will facilitate the speedy finalisation of criminal investigations on environmental transgressions.

OCEANS AND COASTS This programme is tasked with the responsibility to provide leadership and oversee the conservation and protection of South Africa’s oceans and coastal environment.

In December 2013, cabinet approved the White Paper on the national environmental management of the Ocean Policy. The policy sets out a coordinated management approach to ocean environmental management. This will allow the country to address the growing challenges posed by human impact on the ocean environment effectively, while at the same time maximising the economic development potential that the ocean and coastal environment presents.

Focus on implementing measures to advance the protection of coastal ecosystems and species will ensure that 11.5% of the coastline is under full protection by 2019. At least 3.5% of the total area of the Exclusive Economic

Zone (EEZ) will be declared as a new offshore protected area by 2018 with marine protected areas management, the development of estuary management plans and strategies intended to control and reduce the pollution of coastal water from land-based sources and oil spills. The department will continue with the Oceans and Coastal Research Programme which is critical in ensuring the availability of relevant and reliable scientific information to inform policy decision making.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND AIR QUALITY CONTROL The programme is responsible for facilitating the implementation of South Africa’s climate change measures and response interventions as outlined in the National Climate Change Policy which was approved by cabinet in 2011. In the next five years the implementation of a number of the climate change response policy interventions will be facilitated. This will include the finalisation of Desired Emission Reduction Outcomes (DEROs) for five economic sectors, refinement and updating South Africa’s emission trajectory and quantifying the impact and effectiveness of climate change response flagship programmes. Through the work of this programme, the department will also continue to lead South Africa’s participation at key international climate change forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and facilitate implementation and reporting on the country’s international obligations and commitments.

The department will continue to implement key initiatives aimed at improving ambient air quality throughout the country. Implementation of the air quality management plans for the Highveld and the Vaal triangle priority areas will be facilitated, and the development of an air quality management plan for the Waterberg-Bojanala area will be finalised for implementation. Other interventions will include the finalisation and implementation of the vehicle emissions strategy and the strategy for air pollution in dense low-income settlements.

BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION Richness of biodiversity is one of South Africa’s most valued natural assets as it provides goods and services vital for human well-being.

The department is mandated to ensure equitable and sustainable use, conservation, management and the restoration of this resource base, as well as to mitigate threats to them as a basis for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. In this regard, the department’s medium term focus is on implementing South Africa‘s National Protected Area Expansion Strategy to ensure that a representative sample of the country’s biodiversity is under formal protection. The planned target is to bring the country’s land-based area network to over 13 million hectares. This will result in 10.7% of South Africa’s land being under conservation. Further interventions will be on revision of targets outlined in the National Protected 2 0 Y E A R S O F C R E AT I N G H A R M O N Y B E T W E E N T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A N D I T S P E O P L E

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CHAPTER ONE

Area Expansion Strategy: rehabilitation and restoration of 62 640 hectares of degraded land and ecosystems by 2015; identifying and publishing at least one environmentally significant area restricted for mining activities by 2015; and further development and implementation of a regulatory system for the protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems from exploitation and other threats. This would include regulatory control of sustainable use based on bio-prospecting, alien invasive species, hunting, threatened species and biodiversity trading sectors of bio-economy.

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CHEMICALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT Failure to manage waste (general and hazardous) and chemicals in an effective manner has a direct adverse impact on the health and well-being of South Africans.

This presents additional challenges to the natural environment such as land contamination. The chemicals and waste management programme is responsible for ensuring that the required chemicals and waste management policies are in place and effectively implemented. The main objective is to ensure that the amount of waste generated by industry and households is kept to minimum levels by increasing recycling and improving waste management systems.

The medium term priorities in this area are to improve the provision of quality waste management services across the country with clear environmental health benefits and exploring job creation potential throughout the waste management hierarchy. This includes waste minimisation, recycling, transport, storage and disposal, as well as developing new industries based on specific waste streams such as tyres, health risk and hazardous chemical waste.

These benefits will be achieved through the formulation, implementation and enforcement of strategies, norms, standards and regulations to fully give effect to the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (2008) and building capacity, particularly at local government level.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES Over the years the department has continued to make a notable contribution in creating employment and skills development opportunities through the implementation of the environment sector employment programmes.

Despite these interventions, levels of unemployment remain high in South Africa and increasing efforts to address this persistent challenge remain a critical government priority. The establishment of the

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Green Fund enabled the department to increase the contribution to job creation. The department plans to create a total of 377 361 work opportunities and 195 115 full-time equivalent jobs (FTEs) by the year 2018/19. A total of 77 562 new work opportunities and 40 324 FTEs will be created in the first year of this plan in 2014/15 and this number will increase accordingly from year to year as we build towards meeting the medium term target. The department will also continue to improve its efforts significantly in supporting and facilitating the growth and development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to enhance and realise the potential of this sector in creating additional employment.

Through the Green Fund, 38 projects (22 interventions and 16 research initiatives) have been approved for implementation, reaching a value of R570 million and creating 3 850 jobs.

The plan for the medium term is to continuously leverage partnerships and mobilise additional resources to support the implementation of the Fund. It is projected that 12 937 jobs will be created once the projects are fully implemented.

The programme will also focus on reviewing economic development policies and infrastructure development initiatives to ensure that they meet environmental sustainability and low carbon requirements.

OTHER ENTITIES Additionally, four entities report to the Minister of Environmental Affairs. These are the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, the South African Weather Services (SAWS) and the South African National Parks (SANParks). Each is critical in the delivery of the department’s goals and will be discussed in the next few chapters.

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CHAPTER TWO

Environmental programmes

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In order to tackle our country’s socio-economic challenges, the government adopted the outcomes based approach to improve government performance and focus on service delivery. It then introduced the Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) initiative, which aims to draw in a significant number of unemployed South Africans in a productive manner that will enable them to gain skills and increase their capacity to earn an income.

The Environmental Programmes (EP) is one of the branches within the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) responsible for identifying and ensuring implementation of programmes that employ Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) principles. These contribute towards addressing unemployment, in line with the “decent employment through inclusive economic growth” outcome, by working with communities to identify local opportunities that will benefit the communities.

the economic, environment and social for sustainable living, as shown in figure 1 below:

Through this branch, there has been immense contribution to the country’s economic status through massive job creation opportunities and infrastructure development.

The EP branch comprises the following three chief directorates: Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes (EPIP), Information Management and Sector Coordination (IMSC), Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Biosecurity directorate.

The main goal of the branch is to alleviate poverty and uplift households, especially those headed by women through job creation, skills development and use of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) whilst contributing to the achievement of the departmental mandate. The funded job creation projects need to bring about the balance between

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

SOCIAL BENEFITS

Figure 1

The IMSC chief directorate provides programme implementation support services and programme enhancement (Monitoring & Evaluation and Quality Management) services for the branch.

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The EPIP and NRM chief directorates are responsible for the identification and implementation of projects.

The Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme was established during the 1999/2000 financial year with a budget of R28 million in the 1999/2000 financial year and has since increased to more than R880 million in 2014/15. Over the years, EPIP has evolved and changed names from Poverty Relief Programme (PRP) to Social Responsibility Programme (SRP) to its current name of the Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP).

The Natural Resource Management Programme was launched in 1995 under the administration of the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), now the Department of Wat er and Sanitation. Since inception, DEA and Department of Water Affairs have invested over R7.5 billion on this programme.

The Biosecurity directorate is responsible for providing strategic leadership of overseeing the on-going development of regulation services for invasive aliens and the implementation of prevention and regulation of invasive alien species. This is done through the deployment of at-border and post-border compliance monitoring functions. A hierarchical approach to managing invasive alien species is being implemented, wherein prevention is given more priority, as it is proven more effective and cheaper than management of established invasive alien species, thus making exclusion of invasive species by border control the first line of defence.

The Directorate is still in its infancy phase and has identified OR Tambo International Airport as its pilot for at-border biosecurity interventions, where X-ray machines, sniffer dogs and biosecurity inspection officers will soon be deployed. However, it is acknowledged that some species will manage to get past our border management interventions; hence, the Directorate has strong collaboration with the Early Detection Unit of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

The objectives of the Early Detection Unit are to detect invasive species and rapidly respond to them before they establish. A DNA Bar-coding Unit has also been setup at the University of Johannesburg, which will assist inspectors to identify intercepted species at ports of entry easily and quickly. The Advocacy Unit underpins the Directorate’s work in an effort towards achieving a shared responsibility philosophy with biosecurity stakeholders wherein everyone willingly complies with the biosecurity legislation and plays their role in the management of invasive species.

The changes and developments in these programmes are based on the restructuring of government by the newly appointed administration and sector needs that then demand the programmes be aligned.

The branch currently runs 14 programmes under NRM and EPIP programmes. NRM comprises of the following focus areas: Ecofurniture Programme, Working for Energy, Working for Ecosystems, Working for Forests, Working for Water and Working for Wetlands.

Focus areas under EPIP include People and Parks, Wildlife Economy, Greening and Open Space Management, Working for Land, Working for Coast, Working on Fire, Working on Waste and Youth Environmental Services.

“The objectives of the Early Detection Unit are to detect invasive species and rapidly respond to them before they establish.�

Isimangaliso Wetland Park

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WORKING FOR WATER The Working for Water (WfW) Programme aims to control and contain invasive alien plants. The programme was launched in 1995 and administered previously through the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and now by the Department of Environmental Affairs. This programme works in partnership with local communities, for whom it provides jobs and with government departments including the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Agriculture and Trade and Industry, provincial departments of agriculture, conservation and environment, research foundations and private companies.

Since its inception, the programme has cleared more than two million hectares of invasive alien plants providing jobs and training to approximately 26 000 people per year from among the most marginalised sectors of society, of which, 56% are women. In addition, over 50 000 people, particularly from the rural parts of the country, have benefited through employment opportunities from the WfW Programme.

It currently runs over 300 projects in all nine of South Africa’s provinces.

Scientists and field workers use a range of methods to control invasive alien plants. These include: • M echanical methods - felling, removing or burning invading alien plants • C hemical methods - using environmentally safe herbicides • B iological control - using species-specific insects and diseases from the alien plant’s country of origin - to date 76 biocontrol agents have been released in South Africa against 40 weed species • I ntegrated control - combinations of the above three approaches.

Often an integrated approach is required in order to prevent enormous impacts The programme is globally recognised as one of the most outstanding environmental conservation initiatives on the continent. It enjoys

sustained political support for its job creation efforts and the fight against poverty.

WfW considers the development of people as an essential element of environmental conservation. Short-term contract jobs created through the clearing activities are undertaken, with the emphasis on endeavouring to recruit women (the target is 60%), youth (20%) and disabled (5%). Creating an enabling environment for skills training, it is investing in the development of communities wherever it works.

Implementing HIV and Aids projects and other socio-development initiatives are important objectives.

Eco-furniture Programmes

The programme was established in 2012, with the intention of making optimal use of the biomass cleared through the Working for Water programme by creating work opportunities to make products that will assist government meet its needs. The programme further aims to explore the range of products needed for institutions, such as hospitals, clinics, community centres and other government service centres. A particular emphasis is placed on the needs of disadvantaged schools, including school desks, benches and other furniture. Products manufactured include eco-coffins, wattle screens, garden décor items, fencing, wooden flash-drive cases, charcoal, lampshades and basket-ware.

There are six factories in the following provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, two in Gauteng, Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

These factories have created 1 120 job opportunities and various skills development interventions. Skills training provided for factory employees include carpentry, chainsaw training, machine maintenance, tree felling and first aid.

Through this programme, the department has managed to deliver more than 100 000 desks to schools in disadvantaged communities around the country

“In addition, over 50 000 people, particularly from the rural parts of the country, have benefited through employment opportunities from the WfW Programme.”

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Working for Energy

The programme’s aim is promoting optimal use of the biomass cleared through the Working for Water Programmes in creating work opportunities to generate energy.

The programme is still in its infancy. The pilot project in Eastern Cape focuses on using invasive alien plant biomass and bush encroachment biomass for generation of energy (gasification, pellets for power stations and other options). Biomass is cheaper than coal and is regarded as part of South Africa’s green economy agenda.

CHAPTER TWO

Working for Ecosystems

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The programme officially started in 2003 known as Working for Land. Due to the merger of the DEA’s SRPP and WfW from Water Affairs in 2012, the programme was then renamed Working for Ecosystems.

Through this programme, land restoration or treatment has been done on 5 883 hectares of land, 80 contracts awarded to Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) which resulted in 10 084 person days.

The programme aims to restore the composition, structure and function of the degraded land, thereby enhancing ecosystem functioning, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation and purification. In doing so, and by reducing environmental risks, it will improve the sustainability of livelihood and productive potential of land and promote economic empowerment in rural areas, improve natural species diversity, landscape and catchment stability and resilience and promote the development of a market for ecosystems.

Working for Forests

The short-term goal of this programme is to capitalise upon the conversion of invasive alien species into utilisable resources for meeting basic community needs as well

as sustainable forestry land use practices.

The future aspirations are to move towards species that will replace invasive monoculture stands with a diversity of species that will be compatible with climate change impacts.

Working for Wetlands

Since the programme’s inception in 2004, Working for Wetlands has invested more than R725 million in the rehabilitation of more than 1 011 wetlands countrywide. This has improved and/or secured the health of more than 80 000 hectares of wetland area. In the process, the programme has provided 18 463 employment opportunities, with 2.3 million person days worked to date. In line with Expanded Public Works Programme’s emphasis on training, Working for Wetlands has also provided 193 780 days of training, both vocational and life skills.

The nature clearing of installation structures, eco-logs.

of the projects ranges from invasives, re-vegetation, of gabions and concrete earthworks, earthen structures and

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) currently manages the Working for Wetlands government programme on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). While the programme’s primary focus is wetland rehabilitation, the protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of those wetlands is simultaneously entrenched within the programme’s core aims and objectives.

Working on Fire

These young men and women form veld and forest fire fighting ground crews, stationed at bases around the country to help stop the scourge of wildfire, which costs the South African economy billions of Rands annually.

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The multi-million-rand job creation programme is primarily geared towards assisting government to fulfil its job creation and social upliftment promise to the people of South Africa. There are currently more than 5 000 beneficiaries in the programme, 85% of whom are youth, 29% are women (the highest level in any comparable fire service in the world).

On average, some 54% of the government funds are spent on wages with an additional 24% spent on indirect employee costs such as training, personal protective equipment (PPE) and transport. This is the highest level of beneficiary benefits in the EPWP Programmes and has been confirmed in a recent impact study where beneficiaries report significant changes in their lives and their families’ living standards.

Since 2002, R725-million has been invested in the rehabilitation of 1 011 wetlands, creating 17 575 job opportunities.

GREENING AND OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT (GOSM) GOSM projects contribute towards environmental conservation and protection and the maintenance of cultural resources.

The focus area not only has an impact through temporary employment but also a lasting impact through planting trees and the creation of infrastructure in the form of recreational parks.

Among many successfully implemented projects, the programme prides itself on the upgrade of the Masibekela Recreational Park, Mpumalanga Province and the installation of precast benches, tables and bins at Lehlohonolo Cambridge Moloisane Park at Batho Township, Mangaung Free State.

Furthermore, this focus area intends to address poorly managed areas, such as managed open spaces, illegal dump

sites, eroded areas and areas overgrown with vegetation. Deserted open spaces attract poor waste management, criminal activities and create health hazards, hence this sub-programme is seen to be a needed intervention.

PEOPLE AND PARKS This focus area entails consolidation of the network of protected areas to conserve natural resources and cultural heritage, development and upgrading of the infrastructure in protected areas.

Some of the projects the programme prides itself on are the renovation of chalets at Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Northern Cape Province and the building of Chalets at Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve, Free State Province.

The other focus areas under this programme are the erection of perimeter fences around the protected areas, building of access roads, building of staff lodging facilities, development of hiking trails, construction of environmental education and environmental information centres and development of visitor/recreational facilities such as campsites, viewing decks campsite, caravan parks, etc.

WILDLIFE ECONOMY The Wildlife Economy in South Africa is centred on the sustainable utilisation of indigenous biological resources including biodiversity-derived products for trade and bio-prospecting, the hunting industry, agriculture and agro processing of indigenous crops, vegetables and livestock breeds and indigenous marine resources and fisheries. Wildlife Economy is centred on the socio-economic benefits of eco-tourism, co-managed conservation areas and ancillary services to protected areas.

The programme formally started in the financial year 2013/14. As of 31 January 2015, 1 039 Environmental Monitors had been trained.

Other significant drivers of the biodiversity economy include trophy hunting and the associated industry of taxidermy, sale of live game, and sale of game meat.

This support programme will focus on aspects of certification, quality standards, supply side capacity; benefit sharing, access to investment credit and other support for national and international bio-trade and green economy initiatives.

WORKING FOR LAND Land is central to rural livelihoods where people have limited opportunities and are far from industrialised centres, which would serve as an alternative source of income. Rural livelihoods depend entirely on the natural resources for almost everything from food to source of energy. The dependency has left rural people with little or no alternative to sustain their livelihoods. The result of such dependencies and over-usage of natural resources has led to undesirable outcomes such as overgrazing, soil erosion and deforestation.

In trying to circumvent such adverse effects, the Working for Land programme is focused on rehabilitation and restoration of degraded areas. The project deliverables range from: • Gabion construction • Planting of vetiver grass • Tree planting • Construction of storm water channels • Education and awareness One of the most successful projects in this category was the building of gabions, earthworks and revegetation in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality

“Rural livelihoods depend entirely on the natural resources for almost everything from food to source of energy.”

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in Limpopo. The project alone provided job opportunities to 71 beneficiaries.

WORKING FOR THE COAST

CHAPTER TWO

The Working for the Coast Programme (WfC) of the Department of Environmental Affairs was established to help deal with some of the challenges in line with the Integrated Coastal Management Act 28 of 2008. The WfC programme is informed by the broader Expanded Public Works Programme, which is using labour intensive methods in its implementation. Almost 30 000 people have been trained and deployed to manage the coast between 2009 and 2013.

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The focus area works with municipalities and conservation agencies to manage the coastline and ensures the sustainable use of the coast’s natural resources. The categories of projects under the programme are: • • • •

Improvement of access to and along the coast Cleaning of the coast Removal of illegal and abandoned structures R emoval of invasive alien vegetation in collaboration with Working for Water programme • Rehabilitation of degraded areas • M onitoring and compliance in collaboration with EIAs Some of the projects that have been funded under the WfC programme are: • B uilding of boardwalk and ablution facilities at Isimangaliso, KwaZulu-Natal Province • B oardwalk maintenance at Garden Route National Park, Knysna • F encing maintenance at Harkerville SANParks Recreation • Cleaning the coastline at Paternoster • Cleaning the coastline at Saldanha Bay

WORKING ON WASTE This initiative is a proactive preventative measure that recognises that inadequate waste services may lead to litter, which is not only visual pollution but may lead to health hazards and environmental degradation. Ineffective waste management practices can affect the well-being of the affected communities and this can be further exacerbated by the increase in illegal dumping and littering.

The programme seeks to ensure that both social and ecological sustainability is achieved through implementation of sustainable waste management practices.

Categories of projects implemented within this programme are: • • • • • • •

Development of landfill sites Construction of waste transfer stations Construction of buy-back/recycling centres Construction material recovery facilities Composting facilities Street cleaning and beautification Domestic waste collection

Youth Jobs in Waste is a sub-programme focused on providing employment opportunities to the youth. The programme addresses a skills gap in municipalities that allows for smooth landfill operations. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa launched the Youth Jobs in Waste Programme on 17 June 2013. The launch, which took place in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, formed part of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ (DEA) Environment and Youth Month celebrations.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said, “The waste sector has been identified as one of the critical sectors with the potential to contribute substantially to the generation of jobs within the green economy. It is in this light that the department is increasingly expanding its programmes in job creation and enterprise development programmes in this sector.”

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In 2014, the programmes created over 4 000 jobs across eight provinces of South Africa.

YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES This programme emphasises three pillars: 1. Community development/service 2. Accredited learning and skills development 3. Exit opportunities In line with the above, the Department of Environmental Affairs introduced three National Youth Service Pilot programmes, which were implemented from 2008 to 2011. An evaluation study was conducted on these three projects and recommendations and lessons learnt were presented. From the lessons learnt, the department established a new programme called the Youth Environmental Service (YES). YES entails the involvement of unemployed young people in activities, which provide environmental services that benefit the community, whilst they are also provided with opportunities for personal development, accredited training and exit opportunities.

The environmental services involve bringing about solutions to environmental problems inclusive but not limited to erosion, waste, deforestation, biodiversity management, education, awareness etc. The environmental services should meet a community need, fit within departmental objectives and add value to the beneficiaries’ development, whilst providing employment, further training or self-employment by opening up business ventures as exit opportunities from the programme. A service provider, accredited by a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), Department of Education and Quality Council of Trade and Occupations (QCTO), conducts training.

The Youth Environmental Service is not a special employment programme or a training programme but includes service and skills development. During the time of involvement in the YES programme, the youth receive an allowance.

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It’s in our nature Wetlands and waterways are especially precious in South Africa. Preserving them means preserving the rich diversity of wildlife and ultimately the quality of human life. SANRAL is always careful not to trample the environment whenever we undertake a project.

Coexistence with the environment is something we are passionate about, so when we must, SANRAL uses innovative engineering solutions to cross ecologically sensitive areas.

We never forget that roads are a legacy we leave for future generations, and always ensure we do the best we can to leave them a place worth living in.

CHAPTER THREE

Socially empowering a nation

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As we celebrate 20 years of environmental management and protection, the Department of Environmental Affairs has created and sustained projects that benefit not only our environment but also the citizens of South Africa. Our green economy interventions must support the National Development Plan Vision 2030, of creating 300 000 green jobs in the next 15 years.

We strive to ensure that our programmes positively contribute to the target and centrally position our sector as a hub of job creation, while following our mandate of protecting the integrity of our environment.

Few are better placed to reflect on these goals than the beneficiaries of our projects, whose lives and those of their communities, have changed for the better. Their stories are different but represent many more South Africans whose livelihoods have been improved by our projects over the past two decades.

BENEFICIARIES SPEAK The Working for Water (WfW) Programme employs and provides training to the youths, people with disabilities and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

Christine Mdunyelwa is one of the small enterprise owners who has benefited from the programme. Her alien invasive clearing team is contracted to the WfW Programme. “I started working as a contractor in the SANParks WfW Project in 2005. At the time I was unemployed

and had no stable income, no vehicle, no experience and no equipment,” Mdunyelwa says.

awarded a contract for Firebreaks by the City of Cape Town, enabling her to purchase even more assets for her business.

Today, at the age of 43, Mdunyelwa lives in Masiphumelele in Cape Town, where she runs a successful small enterprise that employs more than 20 staff. Mdunyelwa received training on a variety of skills provided through the WfW Programme. The skills she acquired have helped her to run her business more efficiently.

“When I started work, I rented a vehicle and trailer, which helped to transport my team and the equipment provided by WfW.”

“Through the new contract, I was also able to employ a team of young men and women to clear alien invasive plants in and around Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). I also have a team that specialises in the construction of gabion structures which prevent soil erosion.

Without the help of WfW, I would not have been able to get where I am today. The key is planning, focus, management and hard work,” she concludes.

“With the skills I acquired through the training, I realised that it would be more financially lucrative to purchase a vehicle than to rent one. I started saving, while continuing to rent the vehicle for 11 months. I was able to purchase a Nissan 1 tonner with canopy, tow bar and trailer.”

REIGNITING HOPE FOR EX-OFFENDERS

Her skills not only helped with the purchase of vehicle and trailer but also empowered her business to start tendering for other contracts outside the WfW project. Mdunyelwa was

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As part of a process to reintegrate ex-offenders into society, the Department of Correctional Services is working together with the Working on Fire (WoF) Programme to rehabilitate former inmates in South Africa. The WoF Programme has recruited and trained 17 female parolees to work as firefighters in Gauteng.

Magata Mashifane of Correctional Service in the Gauteng region said that the recruitment

of the parolees would help in breaking the cycle of crime. “Parolees are humans and they too need opportunities to make a living. Most institutions decline to employ parolees because of the stigma attached to ex-convicts.” She said that parolees have showed commitment to change by passing stringent physical fitness tests comprising 2.4 km runs in 14 minutes, push-ups and sit-ups.

“The WoF programme should treat them (parolees) as firefighters, not parolees. In that way, reintegration and rehabilitation will be successful,” she concludes.

WoF’s general manager in Gauteng, Avhasei Maswime, said that the programme is able to give them a second chance in life. “The opportunities will relieve the homes of the newly recruited female parolees from poverty,” he said.

Twenty-one-year-old Maleeto Mabe, a parolee beneficiary of the WoF Programme, prefers her new daring job as a firefighter to her former life as a young offender. She is the youngest crew leader in the programme in Gauteng. Shortly after her release on parole, Mabe was recruited and trained as a firefighter as part of the WoF’s role in the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and convicts into society.

Grace Mavuso

“I was excited to have been given a second chance despite the stigma of a criminal record. I am able to think positively and leave negative remarks aside. I come from a poor background and I don’t have basic education. A new person has been built inside me,” she said.

Mabe began her firefighting career at the Bekkersdal base, which was subsequently closed down due to public service delivery protests in the area. Mabe and many other firefighters were moved to various bases across the country. She was deployed to Suikerbos Nature Reserve, Heidelberg, southeast of Johannesburg, far away from her family. “I was determined to break through the jail stigma. I agreed to the deployment. I was welcomed and supported by crew members at Suikerbos.”

Shortly after joining the base, she was nominated to undergo an intensive “All Female Crew Leader” training course, which helps crew leaders deal with psychological and emotional challenges.

In addition, the beneficiaries were trained to become motivated firefighters who are able to operate safely and efficiently in dangerous and unpredictable work environments.

Mabe is one of the seven female crew leaders who successfully completed the course and recently graduated as a type-two crew leader from the WoF Breakthrough Academy in Nelspruit. “The training was tough and I thought I would not make it. I am glad I did.”

Being a firefighter has given Refilwe Kulwa a new fighting spirit.

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Precious Mthombothi

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CHAPTER THREE

Kulwa is from Moloto area, east of Pretoria, and had been jobless ever since she was released on parole. “At least I have another opportunity to make a living and to change my life for the better.

The physical fitness test was very hectic for me, but I was prepared to face the hurdles,” she said.

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“I am confident that with the stipend to be offered to me, if I pass medical check-up, will definitely make a difference in my house. I will use the stipend to up-skill myself, perhaps get a drivers’ license.”

BENEFICIARIES OF THE GROEN SEBENZA GET A NEW LEASE IN LIFE Beginning again From 2006 to 2009, Grace Mavuso could not study because she could not afford to, so she worked part-time at salons, sold hats and baked cookies to save enough money to go back to tertiary education and complete her studies.

She had completed her National Diploma in Environmental Science at Soshanguve in 2011, but again had to stop because of finances.

In 2013, Grace had an interview with the DEA and was accepted in the Groen Sebenza programme, joining it in January 2014. She now works in the Directorate: Compliance Environmental Impact and Pollution. “What I love about this programme is that we get offered training which will make us more employable in the future. I have had end-user computer training and a short course in Environmental Compliance with the University of Pretoria. I have also done a New Venture Creation course that encourages us to be business minded.”

“The Groen Sebenza programme has helped me and many others in terms of education. I could not have completed the different courses I have otherwise, as they are very costly. I have upgraded my skills and knowledge through the DEA. I had never been in an aeroplane before,

but now my job requires me to fly all over the country to do inspections. I have been exposed to many things that I didn’t know before.”

With the stipend she receives from Groen Sebenza, she can now relieve her husband from financial strains and afford certain things in her life. “My life has improved greatly. I have even learned to save for rainy days, as this programme won’t last forever,” she concluded.

Studying made possible In 2013, 22-year-old Precious Mthombothi from Soshanguve was unemployed. She applied for the Groen Sebenza programme and got a place in the DEA. “I started to work in compliance, compiling documents for inspections, writing reports and minutes. I was then moved to Litigation, as I am studying law. I can now pay for my own tuition fees and not bother my mom or take loans,” she said.

Precious explains that she has learnt many things during the Groen Sebenza programme. “Being stuck in a place is never a good thing. Pursue what is in your heart. I have learned to conduct myself professionally. I attend meetings, and don’t yawn, but contribute and can work with people on all levels.”

YOUTH JOBS IN WASTE PROGRAMME Finding wealth in waste Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, launched the Youth Jobs in Waste (YJIW) Programme. For R3 080 per month, beneficiaries such as 28-year-old Themba Danster can improve their daily living situation, while being equipped with the necessary skills that they will need to participate fruitfully in waste management activities.

“Unfortunate family circumstances stopped me completing my tertiary studies, hence my joy when I joined this programme,” said Danster,

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who is a collections administrator based at the Greenworks! Project. GreenWorks! is the servicelearning component which trains students to implement environmental improvement projects by combining community service with an academic curriculum.

He saw a newspaper advert calling for youth interested in waste management jobs. “I was one of 17 successful candidates out of 85 applicants who made it into the programme in Free State.”

As a collections administrator, he conducts doorto-door visits with his team around the Kroonstad community and teaches them the importance of separating waste and not using illegal dumping sites to dispose of their waste. They work very closely with the municipalities and provide municipalities with feedback as to the waste collection needs of communities.

“It is a fulfilling job, as not only do I see the impact of my work on the environment, but internally I am now more conscious of environmental management issues.”

Danster and his team work directly with what the Free State community refer to as ‘scavengers’.

These men and women wait at landfill sites for dumping trucks so they can pick up ‘treasures’ from some of the trash that has been delivered.

Danster and his team visit these sites and teach these people how they can make money out of rubbish collection. This instills a sense of dignity to waste collection and recycling.

“Before this job, I was always the type of guy who could easily throw rubbish on the ground without giving much thought to it; but after the training we received and the walks around the community, I consciously look for bins, and am the first to teach my peers not to litter.”

“I am particularly grateful for the Level 2 Waste Management course that we completed, which

gave me an accredited qualification. This means that when I leave the programme after a year, I will not only hold skills, but a formal form of education.”

Because of the close relationship that the programme has with Moqhaka Municipality, as well as the skills gap in the municipality, it is likely that the YJIW programme beneficiaries will be retained in the municipality. “I am hoping that after further studies and more experience that I will see the opportunity to be a waste management official in provincial or national government,” concludes Danster.

FIRST BLACK MASTER FOR DEA’S SA AGULHAS II The DEA welcomed the SA Agulhas II on her return voyage from Antarctica under the watch of the first black master, Captain Knowledge Bengu.

The ship is used for a South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) relief voyage to the frozen southern continent where South Africa has maintained a base for more than 50 years. Although the voyage proved challenging at times, due to unusually thick ice and strong currents in the Southern Ocean, Captain Bengu and his crew were able to overcome the difficult sea conditions.

“Being a master of the SA Agulhas II has earned me a lot of respect amongst the seafaring community worldwide and it is very difficult to summaries such a big voyage in a few words. This voyage is the biggest highlight of my career and I hope it will give hope to those who aspire to make the most out of this career,” he said.

His job entails, amongst other things, having the overall and principal authority aboard the ship, maintenance of the ship and ensuring that she is in a seaworthy condition at all times. He explains that he acts as a gateway between the vessel, Smit Amandla office, ship’s crew, the clients, safety of life at sea, protection of environment and pollution prevention.

“The seagoing career was never a mistake; I remember Fikile Luwaca, who was my neighbour at the time, worked in the shipping lines and he used to bring me shipping magazines. He would often ask me if I had read the magazines and what my take was on a career at sea. The more magazines I read, the more I developed an interest and desire to become a captain one day. I used to dream of becoming a successful medical doctor but after I counted how many black doctors there were versus the black captains, I knew the answer. I saw an opportunity to venture into this career with all my power; I expected lots of challenges and I was prepared to face them and use them to my advantage.”

Knowledge Bengu

He adds that he loves his job because he is paid to see the world and the most remote areas such as Antarctica, Marion, Tristan and Gough Islands; whereas other people would pay dearly to set their sights on these places. He also gets to engage with scientists coming from all walks of the scientific fraternity. “I personally get a chance to shape the young, up-and-coming officers into the best officers, and the most rewarding aspect about my job is the respect I have earned over the years,” he concludes.

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CITY OF TSHWANE

T H E C I T Y O F T S H WA N E I S D E E P LY C O M M I T T E D T O C R E AT I N G A LIVEABLE, RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE CITY

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COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

one of Africa’s most sustainably managed cities,” says Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

The City of Tshwane’s sustainability journey is anchored in a profound political commitment to elevate sustainability at both a policy and institutional level. In the realm of policy, Vision

PLANNING FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY

2055, the City’s long-term development vision for

In 2013, the City launched the Framework for

the City, articulates its vision for the City:

a Green Economy Transition which is a policy framework that aligns itself to Vision 2055 and

“By 2055, growth and development in Tshwane

elaborates on the role of the green economy in

will be driven by an economy that supports a

facilitating a sustainable development path for

sustainable, vibrant, liveable and prosperous

the City.

city, through integrated ecological, social, economic and spatial agendas that promote human and environmental wellbeing.”

Climate action planning: Baseline studies

including a vulnerability study and carbon footprint that support evidence-based planning

Following on from this, the Office of the Executive

and anchor the City’s climate action in an

Mayor, established the City Sustainability Unit

informed and relevant body of knowledge have

(CSU) in 2013. It is currently mandated to

been completed. A vulnerability assessment is

address climate change and stimulation of the

essential for assessing risk to climate change

green economy, which it does through policy

and for identifying what adaptation is required

development, research, awareness-raising and

where. Similarly a carbon footprint identifies

demonstration projects. As its focal areas are

how the City is contributing to carbon emissions

multidisciplinary and transversal, the CSU is able

that are harmful to the world’s climate and

to interface with many of the City’s departments

provide useful intelligence on how to reduce

and ensure that issues of sustainability and

those emissions. The City has completed both a

climate change are engendered in subject

vulnerability assessment and a baseline carbon

specific policies, strategies and activities.

footprint – both form the basis for adaptation and mitigation plans, which in turn, form the

“The City of Tshwane is deeply committed to

foundation of the City’s climate action plan.

creating a liveable, resilient and inclusive city and sustainability is a key feature of our strategy.

The process of developing Tshwane Vision 2055 was based on extensive public engagement that brought many new insights and concepts to the table. As we construct our new municipal centre, we enter into a new era in which we intend to be

ESSENTIAL MILESTONES ON OUR JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABILITY

Green Buildings and Sustainable Energy

The most fundamental contribution to ensuring a sustainable built environment is the promulgation

City of Tshwane Executive Mayor - Kgosientso Ramokgopa

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of the City’s Green Buildings By-Law based on the

Sustainable transport

The City of Tshwane recently ran the Earth Hour

Like other metros in the country, reliable and safe

Capital Challenge which demonstrated that

By-Law makes provision for the inclusion of energy

public transportation and sustainable infrastructure

commuters can access places of interest such as

efficiency and renewable energy measures in building

are a priority for Tshwane. This investment forms the

tertiary institutions, service centres, sporting and

plans for both new developments and major retrofits. A

foundation of a liveable, resilient and inclusive city – it

recreational facilities, and tourist destinations using

Green Buildings Incentives Scheme will be developed

is essential for social mobility.

low carbon transport. The event confirmed that the

City’s Green Buildings Development Policy. The

to incentivise application of the voluntary components of the By-Law.

City’s investment in A Re Yeng has been worthwhile as Based on a comprehensive study on the role of green

participants complimented the quality and efficiency

fuels in contributing to the sustainability of public

of the service and were particularly appreciative of the

In the spirit of the Green Buildings Policy and

transportation systems, Tshwane has committed itself

free wifi access that the buses offer.

By-Law, the City is in the process of building a new

to ensuring that 30% of the fleet for the City’s bus

state-of-the-art, energy-efficient municipal centre,

rapid transport (BRT) system, known as A Re Yeng,

Tshwane House. The building design has already

will run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

been approved for a five-star rating by the Green

Free wifi

Internet connectivity on the A Re Yeng buses is part of a broader process to roll out free wifi in the City.

Building Council of South Africa. This project is being

Tshwane is also in the process of purchasing a fleet of

Tshwane has taken the bold step to offer free wifi

implemented concurrently with a R7-billion inner city

electric cars which will be used as messenger transport

services with an emphasis on access for students

rejuvenation project, which is aligned to the goals of

for short distances within the city.

and learners through an initiative known as Project

the Tshwane Vision 2055.

Isizwe. In November 2013, the City launched Phase An annual cycling event, the Tshwane Green Ride,

1 of this project in five locations: Tshwane University

The City commissioned the South African Council for

has been initiated to sensitise communities to the

of Technology (Soshanguve campus), University of

Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to undertake

importance of non-motorised transport as a safe and

Pretoria (Hatfield),Tshwane North College, Church

a feasibility study on energy efficiency interventions

healthy mode of transport as well as its considerable

Square and Mamelodi Community Centre. On 30

for municipal-owned buildings. Based on the finding

economic and environmental benefits. The Tshwane

July 2014, Phase 2 of the project was also launched.

of the study, a process is underway to engage Energy

Green Ride goes a step further as it connects

This phase delivered connectivity to 213 schools in

Services Companies to facilitate the retrofitting of

communities that historically were spatially and

Soshanguve, Garankuwa, Atteridgeville and Mamelodi.

these buildings with renewable and energy efficiency

socially divided and thus serves as a social connector.

By the end of Phase 3, free wifi will be delivered to an

technologies.

additional 400 internet sites by the end of June 2015.

In the interest of creating sustainable transport and

A project to refurbish street lights and traffic lights has

improving mobility for citizens, Tshwane is currently

The City has taken the project one step further

seen the installation of energy-saving light bulbs in

developing its Integrated Transport Plan which,

and launched Wifi TV in November 2014 which has

3 665 street lights, significantly reducing the energy

amongst others, will provide for a comprehensive

produced a great response with more than a million

needed to provide this important service. Another

non-motorised transportation network and integrated

views since its inception.

critical project to reduce energy demand is the

public transport with an emphasis on safety. The

installation of solar-powered geysers in all low income

implementation of this plan will see the expansion of

Internet access is a form of infrastructure that the

housing developments.

A Re Yeng to key transport nodes throughout the city.

City regards as important as any other form of

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infrastructure – where roads and bridges connect people physically for social and economic reasons, internet access performs the same function virtually, making it efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Key Green Economy projects underway include:

Sewage sludge: A sludge to biogas and sludge to

are being developed and installed at the City of

Tshwane’s Waste Water Treatment Works.

Landfill gas to energy: Landfill gas to energy facilities Tshwane’s landfill sites. These will generate compressed natural gas, which will be used as fuel for city buses, or

The investment in wifi access is informed by extensive

will be converted into electricity.

local and international studies demonstrating the benefits of investing in internet connectivity infrastructure. In each study, internet connectivity has demonstrated the

synthetic fuel facilities are planned for the City of

Solar harvesting farm: The City is in the process of

commissioning and implementing a 20-MW solar plant to supply power into the electricity grid.

Biomass: A 4.5 MW biomass to energy plant is intended to be developed and installed. A Power Purchase

ability to deliver substantial economic growth, increased

Agreement will be entered into between the energy

employment and vast societal benefits.

supplier and the City.

Food and Energy Agropolitan Centre: The development of the Centre is aimed at combining agricultural

development and renewable energy production with local economic development. Earmarked for the peri-rural

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“In March 2015, City of Tshwane was selected by a panel of international experts as South Africa’s Earth Hour Capital 2015 in recognition of the city’s greening initiatives.” east of the City, this project integrates agricultural beneficiation, sustainable urban food production, renewable energy generation and small and medium-sized enterprise development.

GETTING IT RIGHT

In March 2015, City of Tshwane was selected by a panel of international experts as South Africa’s Earth Hour Capital 2015 in recognition of the city’s greening initiatives, which are moving the city closer to its goal of becoming the leading green capital in Africa.

The title was awarded as part of the global Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC), a collaborative effort between the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, which aims to mobilise action and support from cities in the global transition toward a sustainable energy future.

Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa: My long-term vision for the city of Tshwane includes cutting edge sustainability programmes that will see a radical shift from the way we do business. There is no other option but to transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and climate-resilient city that generates the maximum number of employment opportunities and stimulates new and innovative industry. I am humbled by the panel’s decision to select Tshwane as the South African Earth Hour Capital, it is indeed encouraging to see that our efforts are being recognised and I take this as motivation for us to further enhance our current sustainability efforts.

Tel: 021 358 2111

Postal address: PO Box 440 or PO Box 6338, Pretoria, 0001, Republic of South Africa

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Biodiversity and conservation CHAPTER FOUR

Biological diversity is the total variety of living organisms in all ecosystems on earth, the genetic difference between them and the communities and ecosystems in which they occur. It is the ‘natural wealth’ of earth, which supplies all our food and much of our shelter and raw materials.

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Over the past 20 years, government has prioritised people’s needs, while safeguarding the country’s considerable natural assets.

The DEA seeks to protect the interests of South African citizens whose knowledge or traditional use of indigenous biological resources is being used for bioprospecting by ensuring that benefits derived from commercial exploitation are shared equitably. This also ensures that pharmaceutical companies from other countries do not commercially exploit South Africa’s extraordinary plant biodiversity.

It is based on a legal framework through which communities are rewarded for their knowledge about the use of certain plants.

It was underpinned by the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment, which confirmed that the current system of protected areas does not conserve a representative sample of South Africa’s biodiversity in either the marine or the terrestrial environments. This is largely because these areas were set aside with limited consideration of biodiversity and the maintenance of ecological processes.

NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

A large proportion of biological diversity and ecosystem processes are found outside terrestrial and marine protected areas. A national strategy on invasive species, norms and standards of biodiversity management plans for ecosystems and the listing of aquatic ecosystems that are threatened will also receive attention in future.

People depend on healthy ecosystems and sufficient natural resources to support their livelihoods. To implement the White Paper, and as part of the response to the obligations of the CBD, a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was developed and published in 2005. This sets out a framework and a plan of action for the conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s biological diversity and equitable sharing of benefits derived from this use.

The National Biodiversity Framework (NBF) identifies priority actions for biodiversity management for lead agents for the following five years and sets out the implications of these priority actions for agencies. It forms the blueprint for the conservation of biodiversity in South Africa as it provides for an integrated, coordinated and uniform approach to biodiversity management and highlights the major pressures on biodiversity in South Africa. A draft list of threatened and protected

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terrestrial ecosystems has been drawn up for publication.

NEW ERA IN CONSERVATION The peaceful transition in South Africa presented a unique opportunity for redress and recovery. Starting with the Constitution, new policies and legislation have been developed across all sectors, with full public consultation and participation.

Through its Biodiversity and Conservation Branch, the DEA promotes the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources to improve economic growth and alleviate poverty for present and future generations. The functions and responsibilities of the branch entail biodiversity and heritage conservation inside and outside protected areas. Its activities are supported by South African National Parks (SANParks), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.

Protected areas have been recognised globally as being the most effective means of conserving biodiversity. They are essential in achieving the objectives of the CBD, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and

the Millennium Development Goals. Protected areas provide a range of goods and ecological services, while they preserve natural and cultural heritage. In addition, they provide opportunities for environmental education, tourism and recreation, as well as for research, including adaptive measures for climate change.

As part of the endeavour to expand the country’s conservation estate, existing national parks have been further expanded by more than 500 000 hectares over the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, a world heritage site. Land-based and marine protected area targets, as well as areas still required to meet targets.

INVOLVING COMMUNITIES To provide local people with the key principles necessary for the successful implementation of projects related to Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), guidelines have been developed that encourage local municipalities to incorporate CBNRM into their respective Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and Local Economic Development (LED) strategies. In order to reach people at local levels, the guidelines were developed in all official languages and were further complemented by an implementation toolkit that provides user-friendly information and methods to enhance the implementation of CBNRM projects at the community level.

The toolkit has been successfully used by community-based organisations, local economic development officers and councillors, community development workers, non-governmental organisations, donor agencies, the private sector, agricultural officers, teachers and conservation officials. Furthermore, CBNRM radio episodes were developed and broadcast on 13 community radio stations across the country, with a listenership of approximately 4.5 million.

In implementing the guidelines, the department funded pilot projects across the country to the value of approximately R33 million through its social responsibility programme.

The projects have further assisted various communities to access high-quality drinking and irrigation water, improve agricultural production systems, reverse the process of land degradation, and improve tourist road access and vehicle control in community conservation areas.

The projects have assisted some communities to restock and introduce game species and engage in the conservation management of communally owned game reserves.

Communities have undertaken land and catchment rehabilitation through alien vegetation control and bush clearing, secured sites for propagation, cultivated and processed medicinal plants and herbs, and established and developed marketing and promotional materials.

PEOPLE AND PARKS PROGRAMME The overall aim of the People and Parks Programme (P&PP) is to address issues at the interface between conservation and communities in particular the realisation of tangible benefits by communities who were previously displaced to pave way for the establishment of protected areas The biggest challenge experienced by all provinces about implementing the P&PP has been that of integrating the programme into the way parks do business. This required conservation management authorities to plan, budget and remodel their Management 2 0 Y E A R S O F C R E AT I N G H A R M O N Y B E T W E E N T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A N D I T S P E O P L E

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Plans to meet the requirements set out by NEM: PAA as well as those committed to by the P&PP. Conservation management authorities across the countries have used innovative approaches to overcome these challenges and the Department is now seeing the fruits of its labour.

The fundamental objective of P&PP is to ensure continued use of restituted land for biodiversity conservation, while land claim beneficiary communities receive benefits from the use of their lands for conservation. This was demonstrated by the DEA nationally when on 3 March 2014 (World Wildlife Day), Minister Edna Molewa donated five rhinos to the Mdluli community in Bushbuckridge Municipality of Mpumalanga. This will forever be marked as the beginning of bigger things to come. Provinces should also emulate the national department by adopting this fundamental objective of the programme. The community representatives committee took a resolution to participate in campaigns against rhino poaching by working with structures within the DEA and NGOs with similar objectives.

Since the programme’s inception in 2003, there have been a number of new partnerships forged and the support for the programme has grown immensely. These collaborations have led to increased investment into the P&PP by way of integrated planning, donor funding and alignment with other government initiatives.

The Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) has recognised that the P&PP is an ideal vehicle to channel funds to communities whilst at the same time contributing to community development and infrastructure improvement. In the past financial year, over R750 million has been allocated to P&PP related projects.

The MoA between the DEA and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is further testimony to the fact that the programme has created an enabling environment for resolving crucial challenges emanating from the land reform process. The number of land claims resolved in the last two years is a clear indication that this alliance is starting to bear fruits.

The National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) also dedicated an amount of R36 million in support

of the programme. This has enabled the department to foster awareness about the programme, provide capacity building for approximately 1420 people across the country, as well as to establish business linkages between local SMMEs and PAs.

to participate in the programme.

The Resource Africa Support to the P&PP (RAS-PAP) resulted from this funding and has led to further funding from the Jobs Fund to the value of R19 million to guarantee that the KNP procures goods and services from local SMMEs. Looking to the future, the department has responded to the call from communities for tangible benefits from PAs by establishing a game changing programme. The Wildlife Economic Development Programme aims to build a robust wildlife economy that contributes substantially to the financial and economic climate in SA. This calls for a paradigm shift that places wildlife as a viable alternative for business rural development and land reform.

Wildlife ranching in South Africa has been rapidly expanding since the 1960s when game had little value.

Today it is a multibillion-Rand industry. Over the past 15 years, the wildlife industry, in terms of turnover, grew at an average rate of 20.3% per annum and there are presently more than 10 000 wildlife ranches in South Africa, which covers about 17% of the country with approximately 19 million heads of game. Currently more than 100 000 people are employed in the gameranching industry, with potential for further growth.

It has the potential to employ more people than the agricultural sector. The increase in employment opportunities on wildlife ranches is due to the vast array of services offered to clients who visit the ranches.

KIDS IN THE PARKS The Kids in Parks (KiP) programme, which started in 2004, promotes a conservation ethic with mutual benefits for people and parks. It was conceptualised in line with the Constitution, which makes provision for cooperation between institutions and departments. The programme plays a vital role in providing meaningful environmental learning within the framework of national education.

The model sees that learners from grade five to seven from previously disadvantaged backgrounds partake every year. During the time, they get the opportunity to experience a wilderness field trip to a park closest to them. Every three years, SANParks choose 15 different parks and invite around 7 500 learners and 300 teachers to receive a green education.

This year marks a decade of schoolchildren visiting our national parks in the name of conservation through the renowned Kids in Parks initiative. The number of learners and educators that have benefitted from the project to date, has long surpassed the 41 000 mark.

During the first year of the event, only five parks participated - The West Coast, Marakele, Kgalagadi, Garden Route (Knysna) and Golden Gate Highlands National Parks. The following year, 10 parks jumped at the opportunity. In 2014, all 19 national parks take turns

WILDLIFE RANCHING PROMOTES EMERGING BUSINESS

Services include accommodation, drivers for wildlife viewing and workers for infrastructure development and maintenance. The establishment of a Wildlife Economy Expansion Empowerment and Development programme in the DEA will also provide a vehicle to assist emerging wildlife ranchers. The goal of this programme is to empower black landholders and emerging wildlife ranchers by developing and expanding unproductive communal and/or restituted land through commercial and pragmatic partnerships with private sector. The programme will assist in structuring and packaging wildlife economy enterprises as the alternative economic drivers on land that has been restituted to new beneficiaries.

The specific objectives of the programme are therefore: • G rowth, fair access and equitable sharing of benefits arising from wildlife economy • E xpansion of Protected Areas through incorporation of communally owned areas • R estoration of the degraded environment and improvement of land use in communal areas

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South African National Biodiversity Institute CHAPTER FIVE

The mandate of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), in partnership with the Department of Environmental Affairs and the biodiversity sector, is to play a leading role in South Africa’s commitment to biodiversity management.

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It is responsible for the assessment, research and reporting on the state and dynamics of the country’s biodiversity, the development and administration of ten national botanical gardens, biodiversity education and empowerment, habitat rehabilitation and sustainable use programmes and for acting as the nation’s biodiversity information resource.

SANBI is responsible for contributing to strengthening the management of South Africa’s biodiversity assets and ecological infrastructure, primarily through the provision of science-based policy tools and advice. New opportunities for improved service delivery, job creation, sustainable development and quality of life can be realised in a cost effective manner by generating additional value from South Africa’s biodiversity assets and ecological infrastructure.

• S outh Africa has the third highest variety of flora and fauna in the world. Although it only covers 2% of the land surface of the world, it is home to nearly 10% of the planet’s plants, 5.8% of its mammals, 8% of its bird species, 4.6% of its reptiles, 5.5% of its insects and almost 15% of all known coastal marine species.

• N o other developing country in the world has as rich a tradition of research and conservation.

• T he Cape Floral Kingdom is one of Earth’s six floral kingdoms and the only one to be found entirely within the borders of one country. It covers only 4% of the area of southern Africa, but is home to 45% of the subcontinent’s plant species.

• S outh Africa’s mega-diverse status (it is one of 17 countries that collectively contain two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity) is due largely to the wide range of climatic conditions and habitats found in the country, from arid deserts to moist, humid subtropical forests, and variable topography, ranging from sea level to high mountains.

• M ore than 120 important bird areas occur in South Africa.

• S outh Africa currently has 21 wetlands designated on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

• S outh Africa has eight World Heritage Sites, four of which are designated because of their natural importance:

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iSimangaliso Wetland Park, uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, the Cape Floral Region and the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.

ASSESSING BIODIVERSITY At the end of 2004, the first comprehensive assessment of biodiversity, the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment was conducted throughout the country. This has since been thoroughly updated in the National Biodiversity Assessment 2011. These biodiversity assessments cover terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in South Africa. They provide a comprehensive spatial evaluation of the country’s biodiversity, including ecosystem threat status and protection levels. The assessments are based on the country’s strong expertise in spatial biodiversity science and are conducted using systematic biodiversity planning methods. Such expertise is encouraged by SANBI’s annual hosting of the National Biodiversity Planning Forum, since 2004.

RESEARCHED BOTANICAL TREASURES SANBI has a proud record of research on indigenous, naturalised and alien flora that occurs in South Africa, southern Africa and beyond.

Its research covers biosystematics and collections expansion, applied biodiversity science and climate change research and bioadaptation. The numerous thrusts within these research domains have benefited from close intra-institutional collaboration.

Climate change research forms an important part of the research related to bio-vulnerability. In 2004, a representative from SANBI was selected to serve as the coordinating lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In 2008, SANBI’s head of Climate Change and Bio-Adaptation was part of a team that won the Nobel Peace Prize for contributing to climate change.

Ongoing field experiments are conducted in the winter rainfall zone to develop an understanding of drought, temperature and fog vulnerabilities for climate change impact projections.

Climate change and bird vulnerability projects have been initiated in the Table Mountain and West Coast national parks. Specialist input is also provided on the impact of climate change on migratory birds and other animals.

SANBI is South Africa’s National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Global Adaptation Fund. The Adaptation Fund board approved both submitted South African projects at the 24th board meeting in October 2014. The projects on “building resilience in the greater uMngeni catchment, South Africa” and “taking adaptation to the ground: a small grants facility for enabling local level responses to climate change in South Africa” have a total value of US$10 million.

Through the NIE, SANBI will showcase how investments in climate change adaptation directly benefits human livelihood and quality of life, while also being aligned with biodiversity and ecosystem resilience outcomes.

A multidisciplinary approach to scientific hypothesis testing is deliberately fostered and supported. The ex situ collections in the national botanical gardens are developed and reviewed on a consistent basis in an endeavour to increase the collections to 45% of South Africa’s indigenous flora.

Additional plant material is regularly sourced from the wild for inclusion in national botanical garden collections. SANBI collaborates with the Millennium Seed Bank and local conservation authorities to integrate its garden-based plant conservation programmes, as well as to initiate reintroduction programmes where plants are cultivated in the gardens and reintroduced into their natural habitats. These integrated conservation efforts form part of the endeavour to expand the ex situ collections to 50% of South Africa’s threatened plants.

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Illustrated bird, butterfly and dragonfly checklists have been published for SANBI’s national botanical gardens. Biodiversity checklists for South Africa’s national botanical gardens are updated and expanded on an ongoing basis.

CHAPTER FIVE

BIOREGIONAL PROGRAMMES

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A mainstay of SANBI’s work has been its lead role in several large bioregional programmes.

SANBI has initiated, led and implemented four bioregional programmes across the country.

These bioregional programmes operate within priority areas, focussing their efforts on specific threatened ecosystem types or biomes. SANBI’s interest in coordinating bioregional programmes goes beyond the regional activities, with the intention of extracting broader lessons and knowledge that could be applied elsewhere and could influence policy.

• C ape Action for People and the Environment (CAPE) focuses on supporting the conservation of the fynbos biome in the Cape floristic region. The goal of the programme is to ensure that by 2020, the rich biological heritage of the Cape floristic region is protected, while delivering significant benefits to the people of the region. The programme has successfully consolidated and expanded the protected estate through landscape initiatives and innovative stewardship contracts with landowners; developed finescale biodiversity plans for priority areas; developed management effective tracking tools for conservation areas; established business and biodiversity initiatives; and established partnerships for alien clearing.

The programme developed a monitoring and evaluation framework through a participatory process with partner organisations.

• T he Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) focuses on enabling the people that inhabit the succulent Karoo to take ownership of and enjoy their unique living landscape

in a way that maintains biodiversity and improves livelihoods. The succulent Karoo is the world’s only arid biodiversity region and is home to a wide diversity of succulent flora, reptiles and invertebrates. The impacts of this programme include a significant increase for land in the conservation estate, improved land management, funding for conservation and livelihood projects, the development of best practice guidelines, contribution to poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods.

• T he Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Programme (STEP) focuses on promoting informed decision-making on land-use by integrating maps of biodiversity priorities into municipal planning and land-use decision-making. The STEP programme evolved into a bioregional programme focussed on Eastern Cape, the aim of which was to secure the conservation of priority biodiversity in the Eastern Cape, through effective mainstreaming of biodiversity into all relevant land-use planning and decision-making processes.

• T he National Grasslands Programme focused on mainstreaming biodiversity in production sectors in the grasslands biome, including agriculture, forestry, mining and urban development. Although this biome provides essential ecosystem services for economic development, many grassland ecosystems are threatened. The aim of this initiative was to balance environmental and development needs, conserving grassland ecosystems to ensure sustainable ecological services for economic development.

Throughout SANBI’s history of bioregional programmes, practical involvement in a range of pilot and demonstration projects has tested the methods and means for effective biodiversity management. The bioregional programmes have allowed for innovation, using pilot and demonstration projects to test pioneering approaches for biodiversity management. These pilot projects have paved the way for successful

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national biodiversity stewardship programmes, investments in ecological infrastructure and biodiversity mainstreaming.

Other programmes include: • T he Marine Biodiversity Programme which focuses on facilitating the establishment of a network of offshore marine protected areas in South Africa’s waters. Marine biodiversity was identified as a research priority for coordinated biodiversity research through a managed network. The programme engages with commercial fishing, diamond mining, petroleum and scuba-diving stakeholders to discuss marine biodiversity issues.

• T he National Municipal Biodiversity Programme which was established with the aim of ensuring that biodiversity and ecosystem services are managed effectively and contribute to sustainable economic development and human wellbeing in municipalities across South Africa.

NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS South Africa has a network of ten national botanical gardens that showcase and contribute to the conservation of the country’s rich plant biodiversity. In order to expand and consolidate South Africa’s conservation estate, a new national botanical garden, the Hantam National Botanical Garden, was established in 2008 in Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, ‘the bulb capital of the world’. This was the first new national botanical garden to be established in South Africa since 1982.

The DEA Minister formally proclaimed SANBI’s tenth national botanical garden, the Kwelera National Botanical Garden in East London, Eastern Cape, in 2014.

National botanical gardens showcase and contribute to the conservation of the country’s rich plant biodiversity. South Africa’s embassies

of biodiversity and culture are Kirstenbosch (Cape Town), Free State (Bloemfontein), Harold Porter (Betty’s Bay), Karoo Desert (Worcester), KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg), Lowveld (Nelspruit), Walter Sisulu (Roodepoort), Pretoria, Hantam (Nieuwoudtville) and the recently launched Kwelera (East London). A potential site in the Limpopo has been reviewed for a new national botanical garden to be established in this province.

Over a million people visit SANBI’s national botanical gardens annually to admire their natural beauty, enjoy walks, concerts, exhibitions, take refreshments or for educational purposes.

Biodiversity walks and talks offered to members of the public, introduce visitors to the birds, trees, snakes, aloes, insects, frogs, bats, fungi, scorpions and spiders of the country. Infrastructure development in the national botanical gardens includes visitor centres and amenities, restaurants, educational facilities and research facilities.

HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

Aloe Ferox veld

Betty’s Bay

SANBI aims to drive human capital development, education and awareness in response to its biodiversity management mandate through the GreenMatter (driving the human capital development strategy), Groen Sebenza (incubator programme for youth in the sector), SANBI Biodiversity Education and Empowerment (through the centres at the national botanical gardens), and SANBI studentships and learnerships for young professionals.

Boomslang Kirstenbosch Gardens

Garden of Eden A decade of serving and supporting South Africa’s social and economic development The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014, having been established through the proclamation of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act: No 10 (NEMBA) in 2004. In 2004, SANBI’s predecessor, the National Botanical Institute (NBI), established in 1989, published The Greening of a Nation: 1994 – 2004 to celebrate the first 10 years of freedom in South Africa.

Ten years on, Gardens of Eden: A decade of serving and supporting South Africa’s social and economic development, tells the story of South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens and their contributions to the country’s social and economic development spanning from 1994 to 2014.

The gardens in numbers South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens (NBGs) have hosted over 22 million visitors in the past 20 years.

Of these visitors, 13.68 million (60%) were visitors to SANBI’s flagship garden, Kirstenbosch (considered one of the world’s magnificent seven) which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Combined NBG visitor numbers grouped per province over the past 20 years: • Western Cape: 15 323 230 • Gauteng: 4 679 090 • Mpumalanga: 1 123 917 • KwaZulu-Natal: 1 070 712 • Free State: 592 188 • Northern Cape: 10 420

SANBI’s Conservation Gardens and Tourism Division manages SANBI’s network of ten National Botanical Gardens, each with their associated tourism infrastructure and conservation estate, and interpretation section. ‘Conservation Gardens’ is the international term for botanical gardens that include both landscaped and natural areas within their boundaries.

The ten NBGs are located in seven of the nine provinces: Free State National Botanical Garden Hantam Harold Porter Karoo Desert Kirstenbosch Kwelera Lowveld KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden Pretoria National Botanical Garden Walter Sisulu

Free State

Northern Cape Western Cape Western Cape Western Cape Eastern Cape Mpumalanga

KwaZulu Natal Gauteng Gauteng

Contact details Website: www.sanbi.org

Physical Address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria, 0184

Tel: +27 21 799 8800

Fax: +27 12 804 3211

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South African National Parks

CHAPTER SIX

South African National Parks (SANParks) was established according to the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No 57 of 2003). In terms of this act, the primary mandate of SANParks is to oversee the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks.

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The core areas that provide a fundamental basis of SANParks’ mandate are conservation management through the national parks’ system, constituency building and peoplefocused eco-tourism management, as well as corporate governance and sound business and operational management.

The organisation plays a significant role in the promotion of South Africa’s nature-based tourism or eco-tourism business, targeted at both international and domestic tourism markets. The eco-tourism pillar of the business architecture provides for the organisation’s self-generated revenues from commercial operations that are necessary to supplement government funding of conservation management.

The work of SANParks also focuses on building strategic partnerships at international, national and local levels in support of the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of South Africa. It has to ensure that South Africans participate and get involved in biodiversity initiatives, and that all its operations have a synergistic existence with neighbouring communities for their educational and socioeconomic benefit.

South Africa has 495 land-based areas protected by the State, totalling 7 718 835.23 hectares. Over half of this area is found in 22 national parks (including the corporate head office property in Pretoria, which is also proclaimed as a national park). However, the vast majority of these are nature reserves (418) which include provincial nature reserves, local reserves, protected natural environments, development areas, forest wilderness areas and forest nature reserves.

The strategic direction of SANParks in the next five years will focus on the following key objectives: • E nhancing the organisational reputation by bringing trust, confidence and transparency to stakeholders and positioning the organisation as an ultimate brand to be associated with • G rowing community support and providing access and benefit-sharing • P romoting tourism that works to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities • I mproving the state of the conservation estate through informed park planning, development and effective biodiversity monitoring

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SERVICES Promotion of the conservation of natural and cultural heritage

South African National Parks promotes the conservation of the country’s natural and cultural heritage by managing a network of 22 national parks. SANParks also promotes conservation at local, national and international levels.

SANParks annually embarks on initiatives to raise awareness of the organisation and its parks and promote a sense of pride within the public for its national parks. Free access is provided to parks during National Parks Week, thus making parks accessible to citizens who cannot easily afford to visit the parks.

Poverty alleviation

SANParks works in collaboration with the communities surrounding its parks to help alleviate poverty. In 2007/08, various social responsibility programmes that form part of the EPWP and funded by DEA and the Department of Water Affairs contributed to temporary jobs, training opportunities and the establishment and procurement of SMMEs. In 2007/08

approximately 2 059 people were employed in temporary positions and worked 554 967 person days; about 56 331 training days took place that were focused on non-accredited training, and the services of 383 SMMEs were procured. An amount of R40 million was paid to these SMMEs.

Research

The organisation has a very extensive research programme, particularly in the field of biodiversity and conservation. In the 2007/08 financial year, a baseline report classified 423 research projects, currently registered at SANParks in terms of the organisation’s research objectives, and found that 80% of them were useful.

South Africa is considered as the third most mega-diverse country in the world, after Brazil and Indonesia. Mega-diverse countries are a group of countries that contain the majority of the Earth’s species and are therefore considered to be biologically diverse. This group of countries represents less than 10% of the global surface, but supports more than 70% of the biological diversity on earth. In 20 years, numerous developments have taken place in terms of the protection of our biodiversity and the introduction of regulations, norms and standards.

TRANSFORMING THE PARKS Historically, South Africa inherited a Eurocentric model of parks from the apartheid government that was managed according to a system suited to the relatively wealthy urban societies. However, by the end of the first decade of democracy, the entity’s transformation was clearly evident in its support of themes such as ‘people and parks’ and ‘benefits beyond boundaries’. By then, it had already explored ways and means in which the South African community, especially the parks’ neighbouring communities, could reap benefits from biodiversity and champion its protection.

Its environmental education programmes (including the Kids in Parks programme) have grown to the level where over 100 000 learners are hosted in the national parks every year to undergo park-based environmental education programmes. Furthermore, people who have never had the opportunity to visit national parks are targeted with awareness-raising programmes such as Take Kruger to Kassie, a project aimed at Mpumalanga and Limpopo communities who live within 50 km of the Kruger National Park.

Communities benefit from parks in a number of ways, including the clearing and re-use of alien vegetation; limited and controlled harvesting of certain resources in parks, such as Mopani worms, firewood and proteas; and the sustainable use of various plants, especially those with medicinal properties.

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SANParks also makes use of the Expanded Public Works Programmes (EPWP) for infrastructure development through the efficient implementation of DEA’s Social Responsibility Programme (through which it receives R100 million per annum). The new and developing parks have benefited in particular, as eight new rest camps have been built in Mapungubwe, Addo Elephant, Golden Gate Highlands, Namaqua, Tankwa Karoo and Richtersveld.

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A range of further accommodation facilities has been established, including six new wilderness camps. Other projects implemented under the EPWP are the Working for Water Programme (the budget has grown to R46 million per annum over the past 10 years), and the Working for Wetlands and Working for the Coast programmes (through which it receives R20 million per annum).

New parks

The area of protected land managed by SANParks has been steadily expanded through several innovative initiatives, including contractual parks, public-private initiatives, as well as the traditional means of purchasing identified land that is important for biodiversity management. SANParks’ mandate is not just to expand the total land area under conservation, but to focus on land that represents underconserved biomes and to consolidate fragmented national parks into contiguous areas.

The land, under protection, has increased by 7.7% since 2009, to pursue a target of 9% by 2014. This includes two additional national botanical gardens, seven additional stewardship and four biosphere reserves. Management plans for threatened species have been completed and are in implementation; however poaching of rhinos, especially in the Kruger National Park, has increased. Enforcement efforts have been enhanced and a multi-pronged strategy is in implementation.

NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTH AFRICA • G reater Addo Elephant National Park (Eastern Cape), including Addo Elephant National Park, the Woody Cape Nature Reserve and the Marine Protection Areas of Bird Island and St. Croix Island • A gulhas National Park • A i-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park with the Richtersveld portion managed by South African National Parks, and the Fish River Canyon portion managed by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism • A ugrabies Falls National Park • Bontebok National Park • Camdeboo National Park • G arden Route National Park and Knysna National Lake Area • Tsitsikamma National Park • Wilderness National Park • G olden Gate Highlands National Park, including the now defunct QwaQwa National Park • K aroo National Park • K galagadi Transfrontier Park comprising the Kalahari Gemsbok Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park and Mabuasehube Game Reserve in Botswana • K ruger National Park • Mapungubwe National Park • Marakele National Park • Mokala National Park • Mountain Zebra National Park • Namaqua National Park • Table Mountain National Park • Tankwa Karoo National Park • West Coast National Park

The 2013/14 financial year experienced a record level of category guests to national parks; it increased by 5.9% from 4 941 697 to 5 235 095 persons, through SANParks’ gates. The number in the Kruger National Park increased by 7.3% from 1 450 481 to 1 556 916.

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TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREAS Transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) are a bold new concept in regional cooperation for the benefit of the environment and tourism.

The TFCAs are premised on the understanding that as nature does not recognise nor respect human borders – in our quest to protect and conserve our biodiversity – we should not allow national boundaries to compromise our sustainable development efforts. TFCAs are two linked conservation areas, divided by a national boundary, but managed jointly by two (or more) partner countries as a single entity. The goal is to create conservation corridors spanning national borders (thus allowing the holistic management of the entire conservation area), while simultaneously promoting tourism on a regional basis.

South Africa is currently involved in the management of six TFCAs, which entails partnerships with neighbouring countries. These are Ai-Ais/Richtersveld (Namibia), Kgalagadi (Botswana and Namibia), the Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area (Botswana and Zimbabwe), the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Mozambique and Zimbabwe), the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area (Mozambique and Swaziland) and the MalotiDrakensburg Conservation and Development Area (Lesotho).

Promising progress has been made in the transfrontier conservation area in 2014 on a number of fronts, including the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) desk to assist countries with the implementation of SADC transfrontier initiatives.

TFCAs are mostly located in poor rural areas; the projected income boost from increased tourism will help alleviate poverty in these communities.

This is achieved through the development and implementation of treaties and MoUs between

South Africa and its neighbouring countries in order to formalise the partnerships. However, the poor tourism level and basic infrastructure in TFCAs, especially on the non-South African side of the parks, is a challenge that will need to be addressed in the future.

The key to fulfilling the potential of TFCAs lies in infrastructure development and facilitating access to TFCAs, while establishing and upgrading tourism facilities to the standards required by tourists.

CULTURE AND HISTORY In addition to natural and biological diversity, the country’s cultural heritage and history is an important aspect that needs to be conserved.

National parks contain several examples of rock art and other evidence of earlier human settlement. Identifying and preserving these sites is an important priority for SANParks. A cultural mapping project was launched in 2005 to identify cultural heritage sites in South Africa’s national parks that need to be conserved and that provide opportunities for cultural tourism. SANParks’ cultural heritage programme strengthens the implementation of cultural resource management and indigenous knowledge in national parks.

Historical buildings in the national parks range from the remnants of old kingdoms to old colonial buildings and the Agulhas Lighthouse.

The San and Khoekhoen left behind rock art throughout South Africa.

Examples of these sites can be seen in shelters in the Golden Gate Highlands, Mapungubwe, Tsitsikamma, Mountain Zebra and Kruger National Parks. Fossils can be found in the Golden Gate Highlands, Karoo, Mapungubwe and West Coast national parks. Historical war sites, which include the battlegrounds of the Anglo-Boer War, can be found in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. There are ancestral graves in most national parks.

Since 1999, SANParks has engaged in wide public consultation and debate on elephant management in South Africa. This led to the development of the National Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa. It is at the forefront of restocking other range states of Africa with endangered mega-fauna and has supplied 30 white rhino to Botswana, 20 black rhino to Zambia and 60 eastern black rhino to Tanzania. It contributed the biggest stock of ivory and led the process to consolidate efforts for the South African sale of nearly double the initial 30 tons approved by CITES. The funds will be used to promote the elephant conservation agenda in line with the CITES requirements.

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The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

The sable antelope (Hippotragus niger)

The roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus)

The African buffalo or Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

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we refer to as wildlife ranching. As a result of this innovative initiative, there are 20 million hectares or 10 000 game ranches (title deeds) with 20 million head of game in existence today – three times as many game animals as there are in our national and provincial parks and more than there have been in South Africa at any time since 1850 (or 165 years ago).

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These game ranches contribute almost R20bn to South Africa’s GDP annually and employ almost three times as many workers than were employed on the pre-existing domestic stock farms. At the same time, wildlife ranching contributes to South Africa’s food security needs by providing about 20% of the red meat consumed.

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In 1991, legislation was passed in South Africa that recognised that game/wild animals could be privately owned. What followed was predicted by only a few far-sighted individuals, such as the late Dr Ian Player, and the sole survivor of the small group of propagators of this out-of-the box concept, Ian Simpson. The miracle was an industry where farmers converted their marginal, often overgrazed, eroded agricultural land into an economically sustainable green economy; which

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The precarious state of Africa’s and indeed the world’s wildlife and biodiversity is apparent if one looks at the global picture and at central and east Africa in particular. In Kenya and Tanzania conservation is a state-based activity in which dramatic messages, such as the burning of tons of ivory, are sent out to the world. Over the past 30-odd years, these countries have lost up to 80% of their wildlife. By contrast, southern Africa and South Africa in particular have a different and far more positive story to tell.

As a result of this private passion for conservation and investment, numerous species have been saved from extinction. The rhinoceros is perhaps the flagship, with more than 30% of all rhino left in the world found on private game ranches. The

huge security efforts undertaken to protect these majestic animals from poachers are funded from these ranchers’ pockets. Other animals whose survival has been secured by game ranchers are the bontebok, black wildebeest, Cape mountain zebra, the sable and roan antelope, and the African buffalo (which are specifically disease-free) to name a few.

These are the visible signs of wildlife ranching’s contribution to biodiversity but one must also recognise the broader contribution to biodiversity and conservation, such as improved soils, restored vegetation and returning insect life: many more species of dung beetles, for example, and other less glamorous beasts like the parasitic bots, which are only found in rhino guts. Symbiotic birds like the oxpecker are also resurgent.

Perhaps the most important reason to support wildlife ranching, however, is because it is unique to South Africa.

Our unequalled natural history, far-sighted government policy (sustainable utilisation) and entrepreneurial spirit have combined to give South Africa a competitive edge that encompasses both agriculture and conservation.

by Dr Peter Oberem

CHAPTER SEVEN

Rhino poaching

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South Africa’s rhino population was on the brink of extinction in the early 1960s. Today, South Africa is home to 82% of Africa’s rhino, 93% of Africa’s white rhino and 39% of Africa’s black rhino. Ironically, the very success of our national conservation effort has resulted in South Africa being targeted by international criminal rhino poaching syndicates.

We are intensifying the collaborative law enforcement effort to combat the increasing poaching scourge as well as international cooperation with consumer and transit countries such as Mozambique, Vietnam and China.

The South African Government will implement the integrated strategic management of rhino in South Africa. On 6 August 2014, Cabinet discussed the 2013 rhino population census undertaken in the Kruger National Park and decided on integrated strategic interventions for the management of rhino in South Africa.

The rhino population in South Africa was rescued from the brink of extinction in the early 1900s.

At the time, the rhino population in the Kruger National Park was locally extinct. After the relocation of 351 rhino from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to the Kruger National Park 50 years ago, the Kruger rhino population had increased to between 8 700 and 12 200 in 2010.

Translocation of 1 450 rhino from the Kruger National Park between 1997 and 2013 has contributed significantly to the growth of the South African rhino population. As of 2012, South Africa’s

rhino population was estimated at 21 000. The reason that white rhino exist is because of this country’s exemplary conservation record.

SANParks conducts periodic rhino population surveys. During the latest survey in 2013, it was found that there were between 8 400 and 9 600 white rhinos living in Kruger National Park.

It is clear from regular surveys that rhinos are found in different densities across Kruger National Park. Poaching pressure is also uneven across the Park’s landscape. Some areas are relatively free of recorded poaching incidents while poachers hit others hard.

Poaching, natural deaths and the translocation of rhino from the Kruger National Park presently match that of rhino births. This means that the rhino population in the Kruger National Park has stabilised.

INTEGRATED STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF RHINO The Government recognises that poaching is part of a multi-billion dollar worldwide illicit wildlife trade. Addressing the scourge is not simple. That

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is why South Africa will continue to strengthen holistic and integrated interventions and explore new innovative options to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

It is in this context that Cabinet approved the implementation of the more vigorous integrated strategic management approach, which is aimed at reducing the threat to rhinos and the biological management of the species. This includes strategic translocation, which has played a significant part in conservation management in South Africa for many years.

The integrated interventions adopted by Cabinet are: • Compulsory interventions • The increase in rhino numbers • I nternational and national collaboration and cooperation • Long-term sustainability measures Compulsory interventions include proactive anti-poaching initiatives, the implementation and improvement of actionable intelligence as well as the introduction of responsive legislation and policy amendments to address rhino poaching.

Other interventions include continued efforts to

“South Africa is home to 82% of Africa’s rhino, 93% of Africa’s white rhino and 39% of Africa’s black rhino.

The reason that white rhino exist is because of this country’s exemplary conservation record.”

increase rhino numbers through, for example, translocation to low risk areas, range- and population expansion.

New interventions include steps to disrupt crime syndicates.

These will be implemented by the Security Cluster. Longterm sustainable solutions, to ensure the future survival of this key species, include the creation of economic alternatives for communities taking into account the government’s sustainable utilisation policy.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION Interventions on international collaboration will further strengthen efforts to address not only rhino poaching, but also illegal wildlife trade in general. It is internationally acknowledged that illegal wildlife trade results in devastating impacts on species, ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, economies, and national and regional security.

Collaboration between range, transit and consumer States is therefore essential to address this challenge effectively. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have already been concluded by the Department of Environmental Affairs. There is, however, a need to accelerate cooperation with key identified countries.

BOLSTERING EXISTING INTERVENTIONS The Government has realised that the work being done requires continued adaptability to meet changing dynamics. Actions associated with this include: • S trengthening and persisting with proactive anti-poaching operations • Continuous joint operations with key neighbouring countries • I mproved intelligence gathering and analysis capability; and • I mproving general protection in the other parks and provincial reserves where rhino are present, with the help of relevant technology

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“The protection of rhinos inside parks with intensive protection zones and technology interventions, is being complemented with extensive emphasis on national, regional and international collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.”

The protection of rhinos inside parks with intensive protection zones and technology interventions, is being complemented with extensive emphasis on national, regional and international collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system. Greater attention is being given to collating proactive intelligence from multi-agencies – nationally and ideally regionally and internationally.

In the Kruger National Park and other conservation areas, these interventions are aimed at reducing the threat to rhinos through a number of strategies. These include the creation of an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) in the Kruger National Park where several technologically advanced methods are being explored to help anti-poaching teams to intensively reinforce the protection of rhinos.

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In other parts of the Kruger National Park and in national parks and protected areas nationwide, cooperative and complementary traditional anti-poaching activities help curb poaching. Among the actions taken has been the introduction of forensic technology, including DNA analysis, in the judicial process to support the successful prosecution of alleged wildlife criminals.

The number of alleged rhino poachers arrested during 2014 increased considerably in comparison to 2013. National Prosecuting Authority data shows that during the 2013/14 financial year, 70 cases were finalised against 140 accused nationwide, with a conviction rate of 61%.

The most successful prosecution to date has been that of Mandla Chauke who was convicted of the murder of his accomplice on the common purpose doctrine and dolus eventualis in 2014 and sentenced to 77 years imprisonment.

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The sentence was the heaviest to be handed down since the conviction and sentencing of Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai in 2012 to 40 years imprisonment on 52 counts, including illegally obtaining hunting permits that led to the illegal export of 26 rhino horn, the trading and in rhino horn.

Following a series of appeals, Lemtongthai’s sentence was reduced to 13 years imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2014

MANAGING RHINO POPULATIONS The biological management of rhino is the key focus of the integrated strategic management approach. This includes ecological management of rhino habitat, such as water distribution and fire regimes that are fundamental to the ecological management of protected areas.

An additional action is the translocation of rhino from areas where rhinos are threatened (e.g. eastern boundary of Kruger National Park), as well as areas where environmental conditions and high rhino densities restrict breeding and increase mortalities.

Previous experience has shown that biological management, which includes translocations, has resulted in the growth of rhino numbers in South Africa. The complementary approach of strategic relocations from the Kruger National Park and the creation of rhino strongholds will allow the rhino population in South Africa to grow.

Translocated rhino contribute to the creation of alternative strongholds, which are areas where rhino can be cost-effectively protected while applying conservation husbandry to maximise population growth.

South Africa is considering a range of rhino strongholds inclusive of South African national parks, provincial reserves, communal areas and private reserves. Opportunities for establishing rhino strongholds in neighbouring countries in southern Africa have also been recognised.

The management of rhino populations allows the offsetting of poaching in the short to medium term while expanding rhino range and improving overall population size. Among the secondary benefits of establishing more rhino strongholds are: • T he expansion of conservation-friendly land uses • I mproved capacity and infrastructure within protected areas, especially where these were hampered through historical constraints on conservation resources • T o implement South Africa’s sustainable use policies

COMMUNITIES Another key priority is the creation of an enabling environment that fosters alternative economic choices for communities. Villages located next to protected areas bear the brunt of exploitation from where crime syndicates recruit potential poachers.

Providing alternative incentives will encourage the recognition of all the values of rhino. In short, the aim is to make a live rhino more valuable to communities than a dead rhino.

Entering into MoUs with range states is key. The MoU with Mozambique, entered into in 2014, recognises the need for strengthening community development within Mozambique as a key intervention.

INVESTIGATIONS INTO LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS Cabinet authorised the Department of Environmental Affairs in July 2013 to explore the feasibility of a possible trade in rhino horn. There is no final decision on this matter. A Panel of Experts is investigating whether a legal rhino horn trade is viable and will make its recommendations to the Cabinet-approved Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) that will provide guidance relating to preparations in respect of a trade proposal to be considered at CITES COP17.

The long-term sustainable solutions in the integrated strategic management of rhino are linked to the creation of alternative economic opportunities for communities bordering protected areas; creating incentives to promote/facilitate rhino ownership; and the consolidation of rhino populations across different land-uses in South Africa including national, provincial, private and communal land.

South Africa, with its large rhino populations, has borne the brunt of rhino poaching. The Government remains confident that implementing the integrated strategic approach will build on the country’s successful track record of conserving rhino.

The Government anticipates that challenges will not remain static – thereby necessitating an adaptable rhino management response that changes in response to these challenges. South Africa remains committed to the sustainable utilisation of its natural resources.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

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In December 1999, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first world heritage site in recognition of its exceptional universal heritage significance.

The natural values of the Park include outstanding examples of ecological processes, superlative natural phenomena and scenic beauty, exceptional biodiversity and threatened species.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has received recognition under three of the four natural criteria recognised by the World Heritage Convention.

merchandise to retailers such as Mr Price Home. Furthermore, the establishment of a culture and arts programme created 3 500 jobs.

Its most recent successes include the consolidation of 16 parcels of land under one management plan, the replacement of incompatible land-uses such as forestry by conservation (15 000 ha), the completion of 230 km of big-five fencing and the introduction of game, including tsessebe, oribi, elephant, wild dog, cheetah, and white and black rhino.

The Park’s strategy is to establish a conservation management regime based on its end goal, which is to turn the iSimangaliso Wetland Park into one open ecological area.

A key focus area of the Park that underpins conservation and tourism is community development and ensuring that community beneficiation take place effectively.

There has also been a major improvement of road networks and water reticulation systems, and an increase in revenue from commercial sources by over 200% since the inception of the authority and the settlement of land claims spanning 75% of the area of the park (comanagement agreements were signed).

Its strategy is to put in place co-management agreements that include a package of interventions within the framework of the integrated management plan. These interventions aim to create economic benefits for claimants through conservation management and initiatives, and tourism development.

Contributing towards economic growth and food security, the authority has established 39 food gardens, as well as an SMME support programme, which saw 48 local business owners participating and establishing a craft programme in which 20 groups were involved. These groups managed to sell their

SERVICES Education and leisure

It is a key objective of iSimangaliso to grant access to many people living on its boundaries who have never had the opportunity to visit

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the Park for relaxation and education. The programme enables all South Africans to experience the wonders of this world heritage site and, through environmental education, contributes to its conservation.

Poverty alleviation and developing local economy

The Park implemented a land care programme, in which 74 SMMEs were subcontracted to perform environmental rehabilitation and control of alien vegetation. The SMMEs comprise members of the neighbouring communities, including those who have submitted land claims against the Park.

Ecosystems management

The fencing of the Ozabeni section of the Park represents an important component of establishing a single ecological area that supports migration, breeding, nutrition and the habitat requirements of animals.

The open ecological area of iSimangaliso encompasses six major ecosystems stretching from the Lubombo mountains in the north-west to the coast in the east. A consolidated area that includes an additional 66 000 hectares of grassland that supports animals such as eland,

elephant, black rhino, white rhino and wild dog would contribute to their conservation.

HABITAT The Park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700-year-old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and 25 000-year-old coastal dunes – among the highest in the world.

It is one of the outstanding natural wetland and coastal sites of Africa, covering an area of over 330 000 hectares and including a wide range of pristine marine, coastal, wetland, estuarine, and terrestrial environments that are scenically beautiful and basically unmodified by people. These include coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands, providing critical habitat for a wide range of species from Africa’s seas, wetlands and savannahs. The interaction of these environments with major floods and coastal storms in the Park’s transitional location has resulted in continuing speciation and exceptional species diversity. Its vivid natural wonders include nesting turtles and large aggregations of flamingos and other waterfowl.

It protects a hundred species of coral, eight inter-linking ecosystems, 65% of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, three major lake systems (including Kosi Bay, Lake St Lucia and Lake Sibaya) and eight major game reserves in the broader Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). Isimangaliso incorporates South Africa’s largest marine protected area, making up 9% of our coastline, part of which is home to at least 18 prehistoric coelacanths.

“The only place on the globe where the world’s oldest mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale)” - Nelson Mandela.

The Park includes four Ramsar wetland sites of international importance and includes more types of wetlands than any other place on earth. This fragile combination of natural beauty and social diversity has elevated iSimangaliso to the status of an icon in the history of the environmental struggle in South Africa.

BACKGROUND The name of the Park was changed to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in 2007. The word iSimangaliso has a rich historical context and means miracle and wonder. UJeqe was King Shaka’s insila or aide, the keeper of the king’s secrets and customarily would be buried with him. When uShaka died in 1828, uJeqe fled to avoid this fate. He 2 0 Y E A R S O F C R E AT I N G H A R M O N Y B E T W E E N T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A N D I T S P E O P L E

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wandered east into Thongaland, which includes today’s wetland park, and later returned, saying: “I saw wonders and miracles in the flat land and the lakes of Thonga.” From this followed an isiZulu saying: “If you have seen miracles, you have seen what uJeqe saw: Ubone isimanga esabonwa wuJeqe kwelama Thonga.” So uJeqe could be regarded as one of the first tourists to visit what is now the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and to appreciate its miracles and spiritual value – recognised 171 years later by the 176 UNESCO member countries that supported its world heritage site listing.

Transfrontier future

Several transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) have been established, including the South African and Mozambican Kosi/Ponta d’Ouro TFCA. At present, a proposal is on the table to extend South Africa’s iSimangaliso world heritage site to include areas in Mozambique. This will be the first trans-boundary or serial marine world heritage site in Africa.

The vision of the heads of states of Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa of tourists “seeing three countries in one day” has become a reality, and a Lubombo Tourism Route has already been launched.

The translocation of several thousand head of game into the park has included black rhino, oribi, elephant, cheetah, wild dog and buffalo.

In addition to promoting the Park as a tourist destination for both international tourists and domestic visitors, its main focus areas are to increase revenue for the park by positioning it as a value-for-money tourist destination, to roll out the park’s new brand, to complete the remaining phases of the infrastructure development programme to ensure that economic imperatives are met, to improve the activity base of the park, and to create jobs by involving emerging entrepreneurs in the development of the Park.

Authority assists entrepreneurs

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is responsible for managing the affairs of the Park.

It is a dedicated management authority made up of major stakeholders, including representatives from the local communities.

Its mandate, as set out in the World Heritage Act and associated regulations, is to ensure the conservation of the Park’s world heritage values balanced with local economic development and transformation, and to optimise tourism development. However, ‘balance’ does not necessarily mean equal. While a commitment to development is crucial, the park’s primary measure remains the conservation of its universal values. The Park has the right to exist as it is for the priceless ecological services it provides.

In May each year, 3 500 community members gather to harvest ncema, a rush that is used for the construction of mats. As part of its broader community-based natural resource management programme, iSimangaliso regulates the annual harvest and cutting practices to balance communities’ current needs with the longer-term sustainability of the ncema resource.

Traditionally, many residents in the Park produced grass mats, carvings and other craftworks that were sold at roadside stalls.

Evaluation conducted by the iSimangaliso Authority revealed that the pricing structure of these crafts was not sustainable. The assistance of local and international designers was enlisted to help identify more commercially viable and sustainable product lines. This project bore fruit in 2005 when a contract was negotiated - and continues today with a major national retailer, Mr Price Home, to market the products crafted by the women in the Park. The iSimangaliso Authority continues to assist SMMEs with product development, while implementing measures to help them become more independent, selfsufficient and sustainable.

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The Authority runs an art programme that has produced a group of commercially successful sculptors and works with many schools on the School Awards and Environmental Education programmes. In the last 10 years, free access to the Park has been given to learners from 1 200 schools – an average of 6 000 learners a year. In order to make sure that the Park’s managers will, in the future, be drawn from the ranks of land claimant communities and park neighbours, the iSimangaliso Higher Education Access programme has supported 47 young people in their tertiary studies at universities and technical colleges, a programme which was a winner in the Mail & Guardian’s Greening the Future Award in 2014.

Nelson Mandela’s vision

The loss of Nelson Mandela gives us pause to reflect on the relationship between South Africa’s first democratically elected President, and its first World Heritage Site.

Mandela’s association with iSimangaliso dates back to the early 1990s, when he joined half a million South Africans to sign the petition opposing dune mining on Lake St. Lucia’s eastern shores. Significantly, Mandela signed the petition while sitting around a campfire on a nature trail.

The reintroduction of lion, coincidentally on the same day Tata passed away, and after a 44-year absence, brings iSimangaliso closer to achieving his conservation vision, the restoration of ecosystem functioning, and the reestablishment of migratory patterns of historically occurring animal populations from the top of the Lebombo Mountains to the sea. As he did with the elephants, we like to think that Madiba would have approved.

The addition of lions finally affords iSimangaliso ‘Big 7’ status, with all of the key terrestrial animals present, along with whales and sharks

in the marine section. This, together with nesting leatherback and loggerhead turtles, coelacanths and the myriad underwater species on the coral reefs, makes iSimangaliso one of the rarest and most treasured places on earth.

In iSimangaliso, the footprints of Madiba are still clear and the Park’s very existence can be attributed to Madiba’s Presidency and his first cabinet.

Ephraim Mfeka, Chairman of the Bhangazi Trust, sees these footprints in the words Madiba spoke to him when he first saw iSimangaliso – “I have reached my destination.”

The legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s presence in our Park is one of his gifts to us, because iSimangaliso belongs to all South Africans and we are charged, on their behalf, to enact a conservation that honours his memory.

CHAPTER NINE

World heritage sites

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In the last 20 years, South Africa has had eight world heritage sites inscribed on the World Heritage list. The sites are iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Fossil Hominid sites of South Africa, UKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, Vredefort Dome and the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.

THE FOSSIL HOMINID SITES OF STERKFONTEIN, SWARTKRANS, KROMDRAAI AND ENVIRONS, AND THE MAKAPAN VALLEY AND TAUNG SKULL FOSSIL SITE – CULTURAL SITE The Sterkfontein area contains an exceptionally large and scientifically significant group of sites, which throw light on the earliest ancestors of humanity. They constitute a vast reserve of scientific data of universal scope and considerable potential, linked to the history of the most ancient periods of humanity. They bear exceptional testimony to some of the most important Australopithecine specimens dating back more than 3.5 million years; this throws unique light on the origins and then the evolution of humankind through the hominisation process.

The landscape comprises a number of fossilbearing cave deposits, which are considered to be of outstanding universal value, because they encapsulate a superbly preserved record of the fauna, including an invaluable record of the stages

in the emergence and evolution of humanity, over the past 3.5 million years. This makes it, without doubt, one of the world’s most important sites for human evolutionary studies and research.

The site is located on a hill to the south of the Rietspruit river valley 45 km west of Johannesburg and 5 km north of the closest urban centre. The paleontological and paleoanthropological sites are a series of caves found in the dolomite band and its associated breccias, which run through the entire area, creating a hilly terrain. The area is covered mainly by grass, with more dense vegetation along the rivers.

ROBBEN ISLAND – CULTURAL SITE The buildings of Robben Island bear eloquent testimony to its sombre history, and at the same time symbolise the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom and of democracy over oppression.

Robben Island is a low-lying rocky outcrop situated 9.3 km north of the mainland. It has a Mediterranean climate, and is exposed to violent

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winter gales and tides that make its northern and western sides virtually uninhabitable. The potential of the island as a prison was realised by Van Riebeeck. First, slaves and prisoners of war were sent there to cut stone and burn seashells for lime for building the settlement of Cape Town. When the Cape was captured by the British from the Dutch in 1795 and 1806, they continued to use the island as a prison, for military prisoners (mostly white), political prisoners and criminals (mostly black).

The island prison was closed in 1846 and a general infirmary was established for the chronically sick, insane and lepers and to relieve pressure on mainland hospitals. The small lighthouse on Minto’s Hill in the southern part of the island was built in 1864. Between the village and the harbour slightly to the north known as Murray’s Bay there is the small Church of the Good Shepherd (generally known as the Lepers’ Church), built by the lepers themselves in 1895 to the designs of the distinguished architect Sir Herbert Baker. Surrounding it are leper graves, now half hidden in the grass. Robben Island

“The most celebrated of the prisoners on Robben Island was Nelson Mandela, who was incarcerated there for 25 years.”

became the main leper colony in the Cape, with over 1 000 inmates. This was finally closed in 1931.

of plants. It is recognised as a global Centre of Plant Diversity and endemism, and occurs within its own floristic region: the Drakensberg Alpine Region of South Africa. The rock art is the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara and is outstanding in both quality and diversity of subject.

The most celebrated of the prisoners on Robben Island was Nelson Mandela, who was incarcerated there for 25 years.

The last political prisoners left the island in 1991 and the prison closed down finally in 1996; since that time it has been developed as a museum.

UKHAHLAMBA/DRAKENSBERG PARK - NATURAL AND CULTURAL SITE UKhahlamba Park has outstanding aesthetic value. Soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks and golden sandstone ramparts all contribute to a spectacular environment.

It contains significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity, and has outstanding species richness

The Park is the largest protected area on the Great Escarpment of the southern African subcontinent. It is located in an inland mountain along the eastern border of Lesotho. It comprises a northern and a significantly larger southern section. The mountainous area between these two sections, known as the Mnweni area, is tribal land. The Park can be divided into two distinct physiographic regions: the foothills of ‘Little Berg’ are steep-sided spurs, escarpments and valleys occurring below 2 000 m in elevation, whereas the high main escarpment rises to over 3 400 m.

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“Plant variety is based on soil types, which vary from predominantly coarse, sandy, acidic nutrient-poor soils, to alkaline marine sands and slightly richer alluvial soils.�

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There is considerable variation in topography, including vast basalt and sandstone cliffs, deep valleys, intervening spurs and extensive plateau areas. This topographical variation contributes to the outstanding scenic value. The Drakensberg is one of the bestwatered, least drought-prone areas of southern Africa, and has particular significance for catchments protection and the provision of high-quality water supplies for surrounding communities; a number of rivers originate from the Park.

MAPUNGUBWE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE CULTURAL SITE The Mapungubwe landscape contains evidence of an important interchange of human values that led to far-reaching cultural and social changes in southern Africa between AD 900 and 1300. The establishment of Mapungubwe as a powerful state trading through the East African ports with Arabia and India was a significant stage in the history of the African subcontinent.

The remains in the Mapungubwe area are a remarkably complete testimony to the growth and subsequent decline of a state of which, at its height, was the largest kingdom in the southern African subcontinent. They also graphically illustrate the impact of climate change and record the growth and decline of the kingdom of Mapungubwe – a record of a culture that became vulnerable to irreversible change.

The Mapungubwe kingdom had largely faded by the mid-16th century. At the height of its powers, the centralised and hierarchical society encompassed at least 9 000 people and had huge wealth and influence gained from harvesting rich natural resource and trading, via Indian Ocean ports, with Arabia, India and China.

Sited at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, which flooded to provide fertile alluvial soils, and with almost ideal climatic conditions, Mapungubwe had attracted Iron Age agriculturalists from the middle of the first millenium.

CAPE FLORAL REGION PROTECTED AREAS NATURAL SITE

on Earth. With a radius of 190 km, it is also the largest and the most deeply eroded.

The Cape Floral Region is located in the south-west corner of South Africa in the Cape Province. The site’s eight clusters form a representative sample of the eight phyto-geographical centres of the region.

Elevations range from 2 077 m in the Groot Winterhoek to sea level in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The area is characterised by rugged mountain passes, rivers, rapids, cascades and pools.

It provides critical evidence of the Earth’s geological history and is crucial to understanding the evolution of the planet. Despite the importance of impact sites to the planet’s history, geological activity on the Earth’s surface has led to the disappearance of evidence from most of them, and Vredefort is the only example which provides a full geological profile of an astrobleme below the crater floor, allowing research into the genesis and development of an astrobleme immediately postimpact.

The area has been called the world’s ‘hottest hotspot’ for plant diversity and endemism and has been designated as one of the world Centres of Plant Diversity. It has some 44% of the sub continental flora of 20 367 species (vascular plant species), including endemic and sub endemic families and threatened species. The Cape Peninsula contains almost half of these species, with 25% of the flora of the whole region.

Plant variety is based on soil types, which vary from predominantly coarse, sandy, acidic nutrient-poor soils, to alkaline marine sands and slightly richer alluvial soils. There are pockets of evergreen forest in fireprotected gorges and on deeper soils; in the east are valley thickets and succulent thickets, which are less fire-dependent, and in the drier north, low succulent Karoo shrub land.

Four other characteristics of the Cape Floral Region are: • The responses of the plants to fire • Seed dispersal by ants and termites • T he high level (83%) of plant pollination by insects, mainly beetles and flies • I ts linkages to Gondwanaland allowing reconstruction of the flora’s ancient connections VREDEFORT DOME - NATURAL SITE

RICHTERSVELD CULTURAL AND BOTANICAL LANDSCAPE - CULTURAL SITE The 160 000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in northwestern South Africa constitute a cultural landscape communally owned and managed. This site sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as long as two millennia in southern Africa.

It is the only area where the Nama still construct portable rush-mat houses (haru om) and includes seasonal migrations and grazing grounds, together with stock posts. The pastoralists collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape.

Furthermore, the seasonal migrations of graziers between stock posts with traditional demountable matroofed houses, haru oms, reflect a practice that was once much more widespread over southern Africa, and which has persisted for at least two millennia; the Nama are now its last practitioners.

Vredefort Dome, approximately 120 km south west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme. Dating back 2 023 million years, it is the oldest astrobleme yet found

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CHAPTER TEN

Climate change and air quality

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Climate change is considered to be one of the most significant global environmental challenges facing humanity today. It has the potential to undermine development and economies, disrupt societies and cause conflict, with the poor being most impacted.

Observed trends and projections indicate the likelihood of temperature increases and changes in rainfall patterns across South Africa.

Further is the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as storms and floods associated with climate variability and change, and other significant impacts on natural and human systems mostly with disastrous social and economic consequences if bold steps are not taken. Climate models predict that the mean air temperature over South Africa will increase by an estimated 2˚C over the next century. Plants and animals may not be able to adapt as quickly to this ‘rapid’ climate change as humans can and therefore the whole ecosystem is in danger.

South Africa is a significant contributor to global climate change owing to its energyintensive economy and predominantly coalbased power generation. South Africa is also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which is expected to impact negatively on food and water security, economic activity, human health, physical infrastructure and natural resources. It is vital that infrastructure policies and other measures are implemented to support the transition to

a low-carbon future and build the resilience of society to unavoidable climate change impacts. Climate change is a reality that affects the economy, livelihoods and all aspects of society Observed changes include • I ncrease in the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as storms, fires, droughts, floods, as well as shifts in rainfall patterns, all associated with climate variability and change • M ean annual temperatures have increased by about 1.5 times the observed global average of 0.65°C, and hot and cold extremes have increased and decreased respectively in frequency.

• O ngoing changes in the climate system and climate variability with potential implications to: – W ater resources - future demand management (need sustainable use/ conservation of water resources in anticipation for increasing water demand of

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household and economic activities) – F ood security - sustainable land management and agricultural practices that are resilient to the impact of climate change for enhanced food productivity.

Enhanced adaptive capacity and resilience for agriculture to ensure food security, protection of imports and exports markets, food price – H ealth - increased average temperatures may affect vulnerable communities through heat waves and induce some vector diseases in some areas – I nfrastructure - Weather and climate change related disasters or extreme events might affect infrastructure (roads, buildings and dams) creating added economic and social burden and disruption of essential services – E cosystem services - changes in the distribution of ecosystems and migration patterns thus affecting ecosystem services (eg. effect on wetlands thus compromising their water purification functions)

ACHIEVEMENTS For the past two decades, South African government officials in the fields of Climate Change and Air Quality Management have worked tirelessly to improve the policy and regulatory framework to facilitate the enhancement of South Africa’s quality of air and support the transition to a lower carbon and climate resilient economy and society. The South African government is proud to have succeeded in reaching milestones in this sector, which ensures citizens’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.

As a responsible global citizen, South Africa has set short, medium and long-term vision towards an environmentally sustainable, climate-change resilient, low-carbon economy and just society.

The last 20 years have entailed a steady evolution of climate change mitigation planning and the governance of climate change response at national, provincial and municipal levels.

The department, through its International Cooperation Unit, participates at an international level in discussions around issues related to climate change, particularly as they relate to the country’s obligations towards the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol.

Milestones • N ational Conference in 2005 to discuss the potential impact of climate change in South Africa and to secure a mandate for the development of a national climate change response policy • N ational Climate Change Summit and Science Conference in 2009, to review the latest international and national climate science, and develop the framework for a national climate change response policy • N ational Green Economy Summit in 2010, to build a national consensus on South Africa’s green economy path • D ubbed the Environmental World Cup, South Africa hosted the 17th session of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP17) and the seventh Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC COP17/CMP7, also known as COP 17). This event was held in Durban from 28 November to 9 December 2011 • D iscussion and finalisation of South Africa’s National Climate Change Response Policy in 2011 NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSE POLICY On the eve of South Africa hosting the international Climate Change talks, COP 17, Cabinet approved the National Climate Change Response Policy (NCCRP), a significant milestone that lays out a comprehensive climate change response for the country.

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The NCCRP presents the country’s vision for an effective climate change response and the longterm transition to a climate-resilient, equitable and internationally competitive lower-carbon economy and society – a vision premised on Government’s commitment to sustainable development and a better life for all. This Policy outlines in detail the country’s approach to contributing its fair share to global climate change mitigation efforts and protecting the country and its people from the impacts of inevitable climate change.

This commitment to a transition to a lower-carbon and climate-resilient society and economy is also echoed in various national policy documents, including the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan 2011-2014, the Integrated Resource Plan 2010, the Industrial Policy Action Plan for 2013-14 and the National Development Plan – Vision for 2030 (NDP).

Tracking this transition has become one of the focal areas of work for South Africa. The objective of this work is to provide evidence of South Africa’s investment in climate change related actions.

Much progress has been made in understanding national emission trends. About emissions, we have a firm knowledge of gaps and needs. The work on understanding climate resilience still requires further foundational work and much is being invested to this end.

Communication and learning are the key components of the work of understanding the transition.

Internationally, the communication serves to demonstrate that South Africa is contributing to the international effort of responding to climate change.

Domestically, this knowledge will allow us to profile and replicate models that have worked well and improve those that need further support.

FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES The Climate Change Flagship programmes are frontrunners in the transition to a lower carbon economy

and resilient society; leading South Africa’s climate change response. They serve as a rallying point to trigger large-scale action and are underpinned by robust monitoring and evaluation of climate change benefits. Climate Change Flagship Programmes draw on existing expertise and insight of key sectors, fostering the use of evidence to design large-scale investment programmes to attract long-term private capital, facilitate sector transformation and new sector development.

This transition will involve a balance between South Africa’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (mitigation) and to build the country’s resilience to the impacts of climate change (adaption). The South African Government has committed through its South African Adaptation response to manage inevitable climate change impacts effectively through interventions that build and sustain South Africa’s social, economic and environmental resilience and emergency response capacity. The policy’s overall approach to implementation is developmental, in that climate change responses are prioritised where they have significant mitigation and adaptation benefits, and significant economic growth, job creation, public health, risk management and poverty alleviation benefits. This requires an integrated approach to planning and implementation complemented by a national monitoring and evaluation system to measure climate change impact and the efficiency of our responses.

Specific interventions by DEA • S ector based climate risks assessment and possible adaptation responses covering all sectors key to adaptation (water, health, biodiversity, agriculture, human settlements) • I mproved climate change awareness, collaboration and capacity enhancement in partnership with provincial and local government • M ainstreaming climate change in key sectors leading to development of sector response plans for implementation • L ocal government using climate change tools and response guidelines and means to address local climate related risks

• W orking with business community and NGOs to enhance business response to climate risks • P artnering with South African Weather services and other institution towards enhancing climate services and information systems ADAPTATION South Africa has made tremendous strides in its efforts aimed at transistioning to a climate resilient society.

Climate risks and trends were qualified in the context of Long Term Adaptation Scenarios (LTAS) which undertook adaptation scenario planning for South Africa under plausible future climate conditions and development pathways. The LTAS produced reports on impact and climatic scenarios, that evaluate how changes in the climate may affect key climate sensitive sectors such as water, agriculture, human health, human settlements, biodiversity and ecosystems.

Further analysis on implications to food security and disaster risk management as well as identifying adaptation options and opportunities, including key policies, measures, practices and technologies to prevent undesirable consequences of climate change, economic modelling determining the impacts costs of and avoided damages of adaptation; and integrated adaptation responses in policies, plans and programmes.

Key adaptation sectors have to date developed their adaptation responses and so have some of the provinces and local governments. South Africa has gone far in scaling up adaptation implementation at a local level. The African National Biodiversity Institute is now an accredited National Implementing Entity to the international Adaptation Fund. Three high impact adaptation projects are going to be piloted in KZN, Limpopo and Northern Cape to the total value of about US$9.9 million. These projects will provide learning opportunities for upscaling and effective implementation of adaptation projects in other local areas.

It is submitted that an increasing individual and community resilience to climate change cannot be separated from basic developmental interventions.

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Adaptation planning in South Africa, over a range of time scales, benefits from aligning and implementing adaptation responses and development aspirations. The country will continue to ensure the following:

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• B alanced development that enables effective adaptation • P rioritising benefits of adapting that are known to outweigh the costs in the long run • F ocusing on proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities from climate risks • I mplementing effective approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR), including Early Warning Systems, yield early returns on investment across all sectors • O verall to prepare society for coping with the changing climate, climate variability and extreme events Mitigation key messages • M itigation Potential Analysis – The analysis is a first step towards the implementation of mitigation elements in the NCCRP. Results indicate that the bulk of the mitigation opportunities are in the energy sector • F or the country to cut its carbon emission significantly, it needs to transform its energy development pathway dramatically, while providing secure, low carbon energy supplies • R enewable energy should play a significant role in reducing the country’s emissions • Diversification of the energy mix eg. REIPPPP As part of implementing the provisions of the Policy, the Department also initiated a process of developing the Long Term Adaptation Scenarios (LTAS) for South Africa. These adaptation scenarios evaluate the socio-economic and environmental implications of climate change impacts, based on a set of agreed climate change scenarios.

Phase 1 of this process produced reports on impact and climatic scenarios that evaluate how changes in the climate may affect key climate sensitive sectors i.e. water, agriculture,

biodiversity, human health and marine fisheries, over the short, medium and long term.

Phase 2 of the LTAS will use an integrated assessment approach and model to develop adaptation scenarios for future climate conditions using the information, data and models from Phase 1 and inputs from a range of stakeholder consultations and task-team workshops.

AIR QUALITY South Africa is plagued by a number of pressing and persistent air pollution problems in addition to facing various new emerging air pollution issues.

Historically, the Air Pollution Prevention Act (Act 45 of 1965) regulated air quality management. This act followed the outdated approach of focusing on each industrial stack and set non-binding guidelines on emissions. It did not recognise the fact that air pollution knows no boundaries and that its effects extend beyond the single source of emission. A number of pressing and persistent air pollution problems plague South Africa in addition to various new emerging air pollution issues.

The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 reformed the law regulating air quality by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development, making provision for national norms and standards to regulate air quality monitoring.

It adopted the ‘airshed’ approach to manage the entire receiving environment and the collective effects of emissions, rather than just single emission sources. It followed an ambient air quality management approach, protecting the air that we breathe. The Act has provided all three spheres of government with a full set of regulatory powers and tools to implement their constitutional air quality governance functions.

To give effect to the objectives of the Act, spheres of government have developed Air Quality

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“South Africa is a significant contributor to global climate change owing to its energy-intensive economy and predominantly coal-based power.”

Management Plans (AQMPs) as required by the Act. Through the AQMPs spheres of government are able to identify major pollution problems in their jurisdiction and develop adequate interventions to address these.

In order to assess the quality of air that South Africans are breathing, different spheres of government have purchased and installed 112 state of the art ambient air quality monitoring stations to ensure that the effectiveness of interventions, as outlined in the Air Quality Management Plan, is assessed scientifically. Air quality measurements from these monitoring stations will over time assist government in identifying air quality trends, potential pollution hotspots and inform policy decisions.

To address the air pollution challenges experienced in specific hotspots in the country, the government has declared three National Priority Areas: the Vaal Triangle Airshed (2006), the Highveld (2007) and the Waterberg-Bojanala (2012) Priority Areas. The implementation of the AQMPs for the Vaal Triangle and Highveld Priority Areas is currently under way, while the Waterberg-Bojanala AQMP is under development..

A partnership has been formed with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to develop and maintain a national South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) to store and archive air quality data collected by various monitoring entities in the country. The SAAQIS is an essential resource in improving the country’s air quality. Some 84 government ambient air quality monitoring stations are in place, of which 11 are DEA stations. The air pollution permits of the top polluters (the industries responsible for over 80% of industrial emissions) have all been reviewed. Over 300 officials have been trained as government air quality managers.

ANNUAL UPDATES In 2005, the Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla started as a small side event to the National Association for Clean Air (NACA) conference. The year thereafter marked the inauguration of the Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla. Through the Lekgotla, the Department of Environmental Affairs creates a platform for air quality officials from the three spheres of government to share information and strengthen cooperation and collaboration in order to improve the quality of air in the country. Subsequently, each year the DEA has presented the State of Air in the country based on the observations from ambient air quality monitoring stations located across the country.

01 April 2010 marked a new era in air quality management with the repeal of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965 and taking over of the licensing function by municipalities and provinces. This ushered in improved management of industrial emission with minimum emission standards aimed at improving the ambient air quality.

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

Going green

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In the past decade, natural resources, environmental risks and ecological scarcities have been the centre of international attention; it has become clear that these issues are of fundamental importance for achieving inclusive growth and enhancing social equity.

GREEN ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION The environmental crises that occur in different regions of the world represent not only a significant and historic challenge to our generation, but also an opportunity for change.

In May 2010, the South African spheres of government in partnership with private sector, NGOs, organised labour, academia and civil society hosted a Green Economy Summit to set the stage for the formulation of a Green Economy Plan. In November 2011, the country announced a Green Economy Accord – a social pact between government, labour unions, private sector and civil society – to advance the country’s new growth path with the aim to create 300 000 new green jobs by 2020.

These initiatives demonstrate a strong political will and government commitment to foster a transition to a more inclusive and sustainable path of growth and development.

The National Green Economy Strategy adopted a strategic directive to grow economic activity in the green industry sector, thereby attracting

investments, creating jobs and improving competitiveness. The strategy also includes plans to move existing economic sectors towards cleaner, low-carbon industries in order to protect the environment without compromising economic benefits. The strategy identified nine focus areas of intervention to pursue and explore opportunities in: 1. Resource conservation and management 2. Sustainable waste management practices 3. Water management 4. E nvironmental sustainability: greening & legacy-major events & tourism, research, skills, financing and investments 5. Green buildings and the built environment 6. Sustainable transport and infrastructure 7. Clean energy and energy efficiency 8. Agriculture, food production and forestry 9. Sustainable consumption and production

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The South Africa Green Economy Modelling (SAGEM) report was commissioned using the parameters of economic growth, poverty, employment, resource efficiency and climate change. The SAGEM explored the question of whether equal or higher growth could be attained with a more sustainable, equitable and resilient economy, in which natural resources would be preserved through use that is more efficient.

The report suggests that the strengthening of natural resource management and environmental protection is fundamental for sustained economic growth and well-being. It is indicated in the report that South Africa confronted the world financial and economic crisis of 2008 by launching a US$7.5 billion stimulus package, of which about 11%, or US$0.8 billion, was allocated to environment-related themes, such as railways, energy-efficient buildings, and water and waste management.

This report was commissioned in partnership with UNEP in 2013 at the request of South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs, Stellenbosch University and the Sustainability Institute of South Africa, in cooperation with the

Millennium Institute, to assess potential opportunities and options to promote a green economy, with a focus on key economic sectors set out by South Africa’s National Development Plan – Vision 2030.

South Africa’s approach is one of promoting green economy in the context of sustainable development and by prioritising climate change responses that have significant mitigation benefits and have significant economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation benefits.

The 12 commitment areas that were identified in the Green Economy Accord include: 1. R ollout of solar water heaters: government commits to a target of ensuring the installation of one million solar water heaters at household level by 2014. Business commits to working with government to develop, establish and then publicise a sustainable funding plan to support the installation of one million systems.

2. I nvestment in the Green Economy: the parties to this accord recognise that new sources of funding and finance will need to be developed and tapped to ensure that green economy investment levels are rapidly improved. Both public and private sector funding will be required.

3. R ollout of renewable energy: government commits to the procurement of renewable energy as part of the plan to expand the energy-generation capacity of the country. To this end, government will secure commitments for the supply of 3 725 mW of renewable energy by 2016, as a first step to realising the goals for renewable energy under the integrated resource plan 20102030.

4. E nergy efficiency: energy efficiency supports a number of key government objectives, including: enhancing business competitiveness; strengthening energy security; creating jobs; reducing the economy’s energy-intensity and transitioning to a lower carbon economy; and improving environmental quality.

5. Waste recycling, reuse and recovery: a range of industries is engaged in a variety of activities to recycle, re-use or recover waste. These activities can be broadly divided into those dealing with post-consumer waste and those dealing with waste generated during the production process.

6. B iofuels: the production of biofuels for mandatory blending in the petrol and diesel national fuel pool can contribute to lower carbon-emissions, greater fuel-supply security and significant job-creation in the growing of feedstocks that do not compete with local food needs.

7. C lean-coal initiatives: the coal resources available in South Africa are massive and need to be exploited in a manner that recognises the damage done by greenhouse gas emission Green DEA head office

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associated with coal exploitation.

Government has established a carbon sequestration leadership forum, which seeks to develop clean coal technologies applicable to power generation, through international collaboration with countries facing similar coal development challenges.

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8. R etrofitting: one of the opportunities to green the economy is to identify ways to improve the energy-efficiency of workplaces, homes and power stations. The addition of new technologies and methods to existing systems and buildings is referred to as retrofitting.

9.

Reducing carbon-emission on our roads: all parties to this accord commit to promote among South Africans the value and importance of public transport as a means, among other advantages, of reducing carbon-emissions.

10. E lectrification of poor communities and reduction of fossil-fuel open fire cooking and heating: government recognises that at least three million households still rely on traditional energy carriers like candles and firewood, leading to continued environmental degradation, particularly in rural areas and in urban informal settlements.

11. E conomic development in the green economy – promotion of localisation, youth employment, cooperatives and skills development: the parties to this accord recognise the critical importance of localisation strategies to promote industrial manufacture of components, inputs and technologies in South Africa. This should include providing incentives, industrial funding as well as conditionalities in publicly supported programmes.

12. C ooperation around the United Nations Cop17 and its follow-up: South Africa hosted the United Nations Cop17 talks on climate change and all parties will work closely with

government during and after the Conference to realise the success of the work and agenda of Cop17.

One of the department’s primary objectives is developing a sustainable interface between ecological sustainability and socio-economic development. At the heart of this is the recognition that the Green Economy is central to job creation, rural development and a green future for the country. The department is actively engaged in using international platforms to advance positions that support a move towards the implementation of economic instruments including, where appropriate, market-based mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. New and innovative financial instruments, particularly those targeting the poor, need to be developed.

The department strongly believes that the environment portfolio has a substantial role to play in economic development, and it is actively engaged in strategies to develop sustainable economic opportunities related to biodiversity conservation. The transformation of the hunting industry is an example of ways in which income can be generated and shared by the conservation sector. In 2007, an income of R650 million was realised by the hunting industry, demonstrating the importance of conservation related industries to the national economy. The department is in the process of finalising hunting norms and standards to ensure that hunting activities adhere to the principles of sustainable utilisation of resources and that hunting related activities take place lawfully and are regulated throughout the country.

THE GREEN FUND The Government of South Africa, through the DEA and National Treasury, has set aside R1.1 billion to establish the Green Fund. This allocation represents the initial resources available for disbursement by the Green Fund. The DEA has appointed the Development Bank of Southern

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Africa (DBSA) as the implementing agent of the Green Fund. The Green Fund represents a critical resource mechanism to achieve a green economy and transition of South Africa onto a low carbon, resource efficient growth path. The objectives of the Green Fund are to identify and promote innovative initiatives that have the ability to be replicated and implemented on a wider scale. Thus, the focus of the finance is to incubate innovation and ideas and, where those exist, provide the catalytic funding required to initiate project implementation.

The management structure of the fund includes the green fund management committee, comprising representatives of the DEA, the DBSA and the National Treasury to provide the direction and make final decisions on applications made to the Green Fund. Importantly, the Fund will only support initiatives which would not have been implemented without its support. Ordinarily it is an additional and complementary fund to the existing fiscal allocations supporting the transitioning of the South African economy to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and climateresilient growth path. Due to its focus on innovative projects, unless a strong case is made for the coverage of a funding or financing gap, the Green Fund will not support such projects.

The Green Fund will respond to market weaknesses currently hampering South Africa’s transition to a green economy by: • P romoting innovative and high impact green programmes and projects • R einforcing climate policy objectives through green interventions • B uilding an evidence base for the expansion of the green economy • A ttracting additional resources to support South Africa’s green economy development

The Green Fund provides support to the three funding windows and is currently reviewing additional window applications namely rural energy, including mini-grid and off-grid, biogas and biofuels, sustainable water management; sustainable human settlement, built environment and green building; industrial cleaner production and consumption; and ecosystem services. The focus areas of the first window and eligibility criteria for each window are different and informed by key national policies. These policies include, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan, the New Growth Path and the NDP. • G reen cities and towns - local government, through public sector procurement and alignment of spending on infrastructure and services, with environment performance indicators, can play a significant role in generating the demand for green products and services. This in turn can create greater localisation of green technologies. By assisting in implementation at local government, the Green Fund can play a role in catalysing significant levels of both public and private sector investment in the green economy. • L ow carbon economy - the decoupling of economic growth from its impact on natural resources will be driven by private sector efforts to lower environmental impact and resource consumption.

This can be achieved through clean production methods and other climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. These include interventions targeting industrial efficiency and the carbon intensity of the economy including energy efficiency, reducing pollution from industrial processes, waste management and reuse of by-products. • E nvironmental and natural resource management - the protection of biodiversity and securing the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services is the primary focus of this window. These include interventions targeting ecosystem-based adaptations to climate change that could drive rural development models. Managing and reducing the impact of agriculture and land-use changes through demand management, supporting resource conservation.

The Green Fund approved 16 research projects in December 2013 and aims to support development of knowledge required for effective green economy policy formulation, planning and implementation in South Africa. Furthermore, capacity-building grants were approved for a number of innovative capacity building initiatives amounting to R59.2 million. The approved initiatives focus on building capacities to transition towards a green economy, and include the development of green SMMEs through an incubation business model, green economy skills development programme in the tertiary sector and infrastructure funding for a renewable energy training programme.

Minister of Environmental Affairs and President Jacob Zuma at the opening of DEA house

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Green DEA head office

SYNOPSIS OF IMPACT

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Some of the projects, particularly in the environmental and natural resources management window, present tangible opportunities for meaningful job creation and empowerment, particularly in areas related to payment for ecosystem services, tourism and sustainable land use.

In keeping with its commitment to a green economy and environment, the DEA has moved into the first Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) first 6-star rated institution building in the City of Tshwane.

Although not all the projects are in labour intensive domains, it is anticipated that economic spill-overs and multiplier effects are likely to result in the indirect creation of job opportunities.

A total of 1 378 direct job opportunities have been created because of projects being implemented. Significant green skills training opportunities are already being realised in most of the projects with at least 6 300 individuals having been directly trained because of Green Fund projects. Green skills training is expected to increase substantially through replication and scale-up of the portfolio.

A great deal of impact is already beginning to be demonstrated with respect to waste management where an increase in collection and recycling of over 8 million kilograms of waste has been achieved through demonstration projects. In the area of conservation, private sector players and landowners are coming to the fore and contributing to the conservation of critical natural resources. Over 30 000 hectares of conservation area has been protected and with landowners becoming keenly involved this figure is expected to increase. In terms of technological innovation, the portfolio has so far seen the development of at least seven prototypes in renewable energy and information technology application areas, with more developments expected.

This magnificent building boasts state-ofthe-art efficient energy consumption, use of environmentally friendly materials, unique and precedent setting energy consumption mechanism that has not been implemented elsewhere in the construction sector in South Africa, environmentally friendly transportation modes, efficient and state-of-the-art water saving devices, on-site grey-water treatment works, emissions reduction systems and solar energy innovation systems.

The building achieved the highest score (82 points) ever awarded by the GBCSA, in both the public and private sectors, for a large office space of this magnitude in the Republic of South Africa.

Outstanding building features • O ptimal building orientation and intense modelling and efficiencies were undertaken to meet the ambitious energy consumption goal of a maximum of 115kWh/m2/annum • T he roof is almost entirely covered with solar photovoltaic panels to supply approximately 20% of the building’s energy needs • T he parking area features a concentrated photovoltaic panel (CPV) which tracks the sun and supplies power to the electric vehicle (EV) charging station for the DEA’s EV pilot project • W ater efficiency measures are expected to result in the consumption of 30% less water and includes a rainwater harvesting system,

water-wise indigenous plants and efficient irrigation systems • I nnovative green lease with a performance period for the contracted maintenance party, in which penalties will be paid if the building consumes more energy than predicted • L ighting (the maximisation of natural light sources, compact fluorescent lights, individual switching and movement sensors) • E fficient staff movement (reduced reliance on lifts and coherent accommodation of interrelated sections) • I ndoor/internal climate control (increased passive climate control and reduced reliance on mechanical air conditioning or centralised air conditioning system with customised control for each office/area). The building is designed to provide 150% more fresh air than required by law • D emonstrates urban greening (indoor planting and roof gardens) • T he use of selected local South African materials and products that use and demonstrate environment friendly building materials, finishes, furniture and equipment (no poisonous paints or adhesives, no energy inefficient appliances, no exotic hardwoods and no toxic laminates). The project achieved full points for low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) credit – all carpets, flooring, adhesives and sealants are low VOC • D emonstrates efficient resource use – (reduction of paper use) • D emonstrates ergonomic and worker-friendly workspaces • T he building is strategically located to cater for commuting mass transport, promote fuelefficient transport and cycling facilities

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Oceans and coasts The vast ocean expanse that is accessible to South Africa provides us with a potentially privileged position. It is bestowed by our fortuitous position at being centrally located between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and just above the Southern Ocean.

Our oceans represent a substantial emerging sector for building and excelling in science, environmental management, and provide an understanding as to how the earth, as a complicated system of natural and human processes, works.

South Africa’s geographic position also means the country is exposed to harsh perturbations in the ocean.

POLICY AND LEGISLATION Historically, South Africa’s coastal resources were managed in a fragmented manner, with different authorities responsible for varying functions. The result was uncoordinated coastal planning and development, and environmental degradation. In May 1997, the Department initiated a process to establish integrated coastal management in order to maintain the diversity, health, and productivity of coastal ecosystems. This led to the publication of the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa in April 2000, which included a plan of action to achieve improved management of our coast.

In February 2009 the President assented to the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Act 2008. The Act established a system of integrated coastal and estuarine management within the three levels of Government. The ICM Act legally requires all coastal provinces of South Africa to determine, gazette and adopt Coastal Management Lines, also referred to as Set-back Lines. This line aims to serve as a development restriction line which after being adopted must be incorporated into municipal land use schemes to guide town and regional planners, developers and property owners alike.

way. This approach focuses on four priority areas to unlock the economic potential of our oceans. The areas identified are:

In the last few years it has become evident that the ICM Act is limited to the coastal regions and does not provide governance in the marine environment. In order to address this limitation, in 2001, the Department developed an integrated approach to ocean governance that culminated in approval of the White Paper on National Environmental Management of the Ocean (NEMO) by Cabinet in 2013.

The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process is essential in providing clarity and certainty on what activities can occur where and in providing assistance to decision-makers. Our coastal and ocean areas require a public and transparent process which allocates space and resources in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner. MSP is envisaged to be a flexible, integrated, ecosystem-based approach to address multiple uses of the oceans and coasts.

Operation Phakisa addresses development constraints and issues in a fast and efficient

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• • • •

Marine transport and manufacturing Oil and gas exploration Aquaculture Protection services and governance

The challenge of balancing these competing human uses and the need to maintain the integrity and sustainability of our environment warrants an effective, coordinated and integrated governed framework.

This new direction is a detour from the previous focus on fisheries. At the dawn of South Africa’s democracy, environmental monitoring was restricted to understanding how ocean processes affect fisheries.

However, in a scenario where climate change is having an impact on marine ecosystems and on weather generated by ocean/atmosphere interactions, it is important to understand the mechanisms of those changes. It is important to monitor changes over a long period of time so that the effects can ultimately be predicted and mitigation measures – including managing their impacts on coastal communities – can be implemented where possible.

South Africa has teamed up with international partners to monitor and measure changes in the Southern Ocean, including measuring carbon dioxide. The Southern Ocean absorbs most of the carbon dioxide, increasing the potential for ocean acidification. Around our Southern Ocean territories of Prince Edward and Marion islands there is research being done as well as monitoring programmes of ocean warming.

South Africa has ratified the Liability Annex (Annex IV) to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty: Liability Arising from Environmental Emergencies. Annex IV obliges treaty parties to provide for prompt and effective response action to environmental emergencies. This is in line with the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and to develop rules and procedures relating to liability for damage arising from activities undertaken in the Antarctic Treaty area. Where the operator fails to take such response actions, the government can take action and recover the cost from the operator.

STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE South Africa maintains a permanent presence in Antarctica, Marion Island and Gough Island, focusing on four main areas of interest: scientific, economic, strategic and weather services. South Africa, as a proud founding member of the Antarctic Treaty, continues to play a key role in the management and conservation of the Antarctic continent. Being the only African country member, South Africa strives to not only promote national, but continent-wide interests too.

Many of the countries with a presence in Antarctica are also using South Africa as a departure point to the continent; our position is of strategic importance to many countries and this lends itself to critical collaborations. Weather observations in the Southern Ocean and on Marion and Gough Islands are not only of strategic value for South Africa, but also for the international community.

South Africa has maintained a large vessel fleet – several of the vessels were built by the Department and provided the basis for the fisheries, environmental and Southern Ocean’s marine research.

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the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) – the SA Agulhas II and the RV Algoa. The SA Agulhas II is the most modern and efficient polar research and supply ship in the world. It is the first ship to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO), SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Regulations set in 2009 that became mandatory for ships built after July 2010. The ship’s scientific capabilities in particular makes it the ideal platform to carry out research of national interest in the Southern Ocean, focusing on climate change especially.

The RV Algoa spends about 200 days at sea per year, undertaking research in the fields of physics, chemistry and biology.

RESEARCH EQUIPMENT Monitoring the ocean and coastal environment over the last 20 years has grown to be a significantly greater practice than ever before.

This is due to increased understanding of the importance of the oceanic environment to South Africa.

Over the last five years the Department has

deployed seven monitoring systems, such as buoys, around the coast in order to build the necessary knowledge to improve our understanding of oceans and guide our responses.

The state-of-the-art research infrastructure on the SA Agulhas II includes a Moon Pool in the Environmental laboratory and is used to deploy and recover sampling devices. The Moon Pool has proven to be very useful in adverse sea conditions and allows for deployment from the bottom of the vessel, instead of the side.

Another innovative instrument on the ship is a Drop Keel. In open water, the Drop Keel is lowered to protrude three metres below the ship so the transducers are below the turbulence created by the hull. Measurements are therefore more accurate.

REGULATORY HIGHLIGHTS Operation Phakisa was launched in 2014 to unlock the economic potential of our oceans.

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A network of MPAs is important to increase ecosystemic resilience, maintain genetic biodiversity and our ability to cope with and adapt to climate change. A network of MPAs is a key component of Marine Spatial Planning. South Africa currently has 21 MPAs. Marine pollution has been identified globally as one of the priority threats to the quality and integrity of coastal and marine environment, as well as the industries that these environments sustain. South Africa lies along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and as such, is prone to the potential devastating impacts of accidental marine oil spill incidents. In terms of the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act 1998, the Department is responsible for combatting such incidents. Since 1994, the Department has successfully responded to over 20 marine pollution emergencies involving ships and therefore prevented serious damage to coastal ecosystems.

In 2005, the Department working with the Department of Transport and relevant stakeholders carried out an assessment to

determine the extent of the pollution problem and the solution it required. This culminated the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to declare a large part of South Africa’s marine environment as a special area, the Southern South African Sea Area, under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Under the special area, ships of 400 gross tons and above are prohibited from discharging cargo residues and oil wastes into the sea.

In 2008, the Department published a National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, which recognised that over 80% of all marine pollution stems from activities carried out on land as opposed to out at sea. Of great concern to the Department is the disposal of untreated or partially treated effluent into estuaries and coastal waters and its potential impacts on coastal water quality and ecosystem health.

With the promulgation of the ICM Act 2008, the Department is now empowered to regulate such discharges so that our coastal water

quality remains fit for beneficial uses such as recreation, tourism, fishing, industrial processing, desalination and so forth.

CAPACITY BUILDING Marine science training in South Africa prior to 1994 was very small. During the late 1990s the Department started an initiative through the bilateral agreement between South Africa and Norway to train black marine scientists.

The strategy was to increase the pool of marine scientists, researchers, technicians and fishery resource managers. In support of this collaboration was an establishment of a programme that would produce individuals of such calibre with these rare skills. Such an initiative was established through the Norwegian Agency for Cooperation (NORAD) that facilitated training of black marine scientists in Norway at the Universities of Bergen, Oslo and Tromso. This was to be the department’s flagship capacity building programme. This

programme was initiated in 1998 where the first cohort of four South Africans began training in Bergen. Subsequently, more individuals were sent to Norway to undertake their studies in marine sciences and fisheries. At the end of the programme in 2011, a total of 23 individuals had graduated with Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Marine Biology and Fisheries Resource Management.

MULTI-LATERALS South Africa is a contracting party to and an active participant in numerous multilateral environmental agreements, which include, but are not limited to the following: London Convention (LC); Antarctic Technical Consultative Meeting (ATCM); Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); Benguela Current Commission (BCC); Abidjan Convention (AB) and the Nairobi Convention (NC).

The purpose of this multi-lateral agreement is to provide us with international best practices, regional and scientific cooperation and capacity building, cooperation with like-minded countries, and environmental stewardship.

Historically, the Indian Ocean is important to South Africa for various reasons; however our country’s present interest is mainly fueled by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) programs and projects. The IOC is the only United Nations organisation that has ocean science as its core mandate, and it assists governments to address their individual and collective ocean and coastal management needs.

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South African Weather Service The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a state-owned entity operating in the meteorological sector and reports to the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

Initially a Chief Directorate in the then Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, SAWS has developed from a weather bureau to a locally and internationally recognised authoritative voice in the industry.

THE 20-YEAR JOURNEY

SAWS is mandated by the South African Weather Service Act No.8 of 2001 (as amended in 2013) to provide useful and innovative weather, climate and related products and services for South Africa and the African Continent. This dual mandate, which includes public good and commercial services, is effected through:

The most immediate and significant industry impact following the democratic dispensation was South Africa’s re-admittance to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1994.

In the same year the then Secretary General of WMO, Professor Obasi, visited South Africa for the first time. The Chief Director of the then South African Weather Bureau, Gerhard Schulze, became the Permanent Representative of South Africa within the WMO. At the 12th Congress of the Executive Council in 1995, South Africa was elected onto the WMO’s Executive Council for the first time. Today, the Chief Executive Officer of SAWS, Dr Linda Makuleni, is the Permanent Representative of South Africa with WMO.

• E nhancing observational data and communications networks • E ffectively developing and managing talent within the sector • E nhancing collaborative partnerships and effectively disseminating weather services products to users • U tilising cutting-edge technology to convert data into meaningful products and services for risk mitigation • A dvancing the science of meteorology, research and relevant applications • E nhancing fiscal discipline and resource mobilisation to ensure sustainability

The South African Weather Service has achieved significant milestones since the dawn of democracy in 1994.

In 1999, at the 13th Congress of the WMO, the role and contribution of national weather services was emphasised as an imperative towards the protection of life and property.

In addition, it became necessary to ensure

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the continuation and enhancement of the integrated international system, as well as the role and operation of the weather services to meet relevant requirements and responsibilities.

Following recommendations by a national Science, Engineering and Technology Institution (SETI) review in 1999, a process for the creation of the South African Weather Service as a government entity was initiated.

On 15 July 2001, the former Chief Directorate of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism became the South African Weather Service by means of the South African Weather Service Act No.8 of 2001.

In 2003 the Global Forecasting Centre for Southern Africa, a voluntary consortium of producers of long-range forecasts, was established and the head office moved from its location in Struben Street in Pretoria Central, to Rigel Avenue in Erasmusrand.

In 2004 SAWS won the NASA SHADOZ Group award, which was a great scientific achievement for the country. SHADOZ is a project to augment balloon-borne ozone sonde launches and to archive data from tropical and

subtropical operational sites. The project was initiated in 1998 by NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center with other US and international co-investigators. The collective data set provided the first profile climatology of tropical ozone in the equatorial region, enhanced validation studies aimed at improving satellite remote sensing techniques for tropical ozone estimations, and served as an educational tool for students, especially in the participating countries.

During 2006 a team of South African scientists, led by Dr Deon Terblanche of SAWS, won first prize in a special international weather modification award for their innovative cloud-seeding project. In the same year the first operational regional model forecast for the region was produced, a Lighting Detection Network was established (one of three in the southern hemisphere) and the sophisticated NEX SX-8 super computer was commissioned.

In 2008 the Severe Weather Forecasting system for Southern African countries became operational. In terms of technological development, the Software Utilisation for METEOSAT Outlook (SUMO) activities software, which is used to process and display METEOSAT Second Generation images and products, was developed.

In 2009 SAWS received accreditation as an NQF level 5 service provider at the Transport Education Training Authority Sector Education and Training Authority (TETA SETA). It was also recognised as a WMO-accredited Global Producing Centre (GPC) for long range forecasts during this year.

On 26 October 2010, SAWS celebrated 150 years of meteorology in South Africa – making it one of the oldest meteorological services in the world. Apart from this major achievement, SAWS also launched the new SAWS Doppler radar system. This opened up previously impossible safety and economic avenues into the future with the innovative concept of ‘Nowcasting’ which is used to predict weather phenomena that occur on a very short timescale such as heavy rain, hail, lightning and strong winds. The FIFA Soccer World Cup was held in South Africa during this year and SAWS played a major role in providing weather forecasts during the games and activities at the tournament.

Recognising the importance of indigenous weather and climate knowledge, SAWS published a book on indigenous knowledge, Rainbows in the Mist, covering most of the aspects thereof.

In 2011, SAWS was accredited as Regional Training Centre (RTC). It also received its first ISO 9001 certification in October 2011.

The SAWS library has been supporting the organisation since 1912 (celebrating its centenary in 2012) and is the largest custodian of a vast collection of meteorological and other information sources on the African continent.

Over the years, SAWS has opened a number of weather offices and relocated others, always with the safety of life, property and the most efficient weather and observations in mind. Its presence at the Kruger-Mpumalanga (Nelspruit) International Airport since 2008 has strengthened the airport’s international status while the new, relocated Durban weather office was officially launched at the King Shaka International Airport in

Kalk Bay Habour

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2012. On 5 November 2013, SAWS also opened its relocated weather office in George, southern Cape, as the location of the previous weather office posed several observation restrictions, thereby affecting weather safety.

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OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

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Aviation South Africa is a contracting state to the International Civil Aviation Organization and has accepted, under Article 28 (a) of the Chicago Convention, the responsibility to provide aeronautical meteorological services to international air navigation over its air space.

In terms of aviation, SAWS established separate specialised centres responsible for aviation, marine and general forecasting. It further continued to demonstrate its commitment towards enhancing air transport industry safety by rendering aerodrome forecasts, significant weather forecasts and aerodrome warnings.

Additionally en-route weather forecasts, the Meteorological Authority, a Compliance office for aeronautical meteorology and the OPMET database were established. Finally, the aviation website for commercial use and a Message Handling System for quality checks of OPMET information were developed.

Marine South Africa’s area of responsibility for maritime forecasting extends from 6° south to the coast of Antarctica and lattitudinally from 20° west to 80° east. SAWS provides maritime forecasts within this defined area – whether the problem is a large oil spill, salvage operation or a search and rescue operation.

On marine services, SAWS was the first to develop a model for storm surge warnings along coastal regions. This was prior to WMO developing a storm surge model and the training thereof. Furthermore, SAWS developed warnings for estuaries for present weather conditions.

Although it is still manually based, it is effective for flooding of estuaries. Lastly, SAWS remains

the provider of weather warnings and forecasting services to the second largest marine area in the world.

Forecasting SAWS produce national weather forecasting products for short, medium term (1-7 days’ lead time) and seasonal purposes. Depending on client needs, tailor-made forecasts can be produced on a cost-recovery basis.

Notable achievements in the forecasting arena include the successful implementation and effective operation of a Severe Weather Warning System for South Africa. This includes new categories of Early Warning System and more enhanced disaster management integration. It is through these integrations and cooperations that disseminated warnings are able to reach disadvantaged communities.

In addition, a closer cooperation with Disaster Management has been effected where SAWS is represented in all structures of Disaster Management (NDMC; PDMC and to some extent at district level) through participation in the advisory forum meetings. Consequently, SAWS plays a significant role in issuing weather warnings during all severe weather events that threaten lives and damage property of South Africans and beyond our borders.

Some of the notable significant severe weather events include: • T ornado events in Duduza, Gauteng on 2 October 2011. SAWS provided a severe weather watch as early as 30 September 2011, followed by a media conference to provide further clarity and alert the public before the incident occurred.

Many other tornado incidents occurred such as in Mthatha in 1998 where the former late President Nelson Mandela was almost caught up in the incident.

• T ropical cyclones which caused extensive flood damages to South Africa and Mozambique, such as Eline, Irina and Dando, were all handled very well by SAWS with warnings

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issued to the public well in advance using the public media platforms and the disaster management structures.

• Severe weather warnings of all flood events from 2010 to 2014 which affected the country were issued well in advance.

Climate Services Climate Services include weather observations as well as the collection, maintenance and quality control of climate data from where climate information is produced.

It is noted that colossal advancements have been made in the measuring of the atmosphere in the last 20 years. In this respect, SAWS is now able to measure weather parameters every five minutes from more than 180 locations across South Africa. Twenty years ago, this was done only once every hour for a limited number of locations.

SAWS further developed its own Climate Data Management system (Metcap) which allowed weather data to be captured, quality controlled and disseminated to clients. Other countries have benefitted from this development by using this system. During the early 1990s, climate change and variability became one of the main environmental concerns for the planet. In this regard, the research and analysis of the historical climate of South Africa became one of the important activities at SAWS. In acknowledging these milestones, various local and international publications were published to shed light on the change and variability of the climate over long time periods. This included the analysis of temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloudiness data. In addition, SAWS published a six-volume book set on the general climate of South Africa.

Air Quality SAWS plays a significant part in identifying and combating air pollution through a number of initiatives, some conducted in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Affairs.

A notable achievement regarding air quality is

SAWS Marion Island

the development of the National Emissions Inventory System (NAEIS). Additionally, Phase I of the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) has been implemented with the development of ambient air quality monitoring system. During this phase the SAAQIS network expanded from 42 to 150 stations, measuring various parameters like SO2, NOX, PM10, PM2.5, CO, O3, dust fallout, etc.

Subsequent to this completion, Phase II was also finalised which aims to develop the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.

RESEARCH Through research, SAWS aims to develop applications to enhance the accuracy and quality of forecasting and climate services on all time scales.

During this 20-year review, several applications were developed by SAWS researchers to enhance and improve accuracy of weather prediction. These include: • R efinement of the South African Flash Flood Guidance (SAFFG) system with addition of Hydro-estimator (correcting the bias to pick stratiform rain).

• T he development of Hail Mass Aloft (HMA) will enable the forecasters to detect hail within thunderstorms and issue timeous warnings to the public.

• A new satellite-based precipitation estimation technique using three satellite channels of the Meteorological Satellite Third Generation weather satellite

(MSG3) was tested and will enable forecasters to issue heavy rain and flash flood warnings with high confidence.

INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT SAWS 20-year international relations journey includes the following notable highlights: • S ince 1994, the head of the Weather Service was also the Permanent Representative (PR) with WMO • A former SAWS CEO was elected as Assistant Secretary General with WMO and will stand for Secretary General in 2015.

• S AWS was elected to be vice-chair of International Board on Climate Services (IBCS) • S AWS has chaired international gatherings, including the Meteorological Organisation of Southern Africa (MASA) • S AWS has participated in international study groups on operational matters.

• E stablishment of the Regional Training Centre (RTC) to provide meteorological training not only for South Africans but also for the entire African continent

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M E T E O R O LO G I CA L A N D C L I M ATO LO G I CA L E XC E L L E N C E For 20 ye ars, t h e Sou t h African Weather S ervice has been pro viding q ua lity wea the r, c lima te a nd a ir q ua lity infor ma tion se rv i ce s t owards the pro tectio n o f the liv es o f S o uth Afr ic a n c itize ns a nd sa fe ty of p rop er ty for a ll.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: Public s er vice s • Weat her f orecasting, research, clima t e i nf or ma t i on and ai r quality inf or mation services; a s we l l a s war ni ngs towards the saf ety of lif e a nd p rop e r t y and di s aster mitigation • Gat heri ng of meteorological, climatol og i ca l , a nd at m os pheric trace gas data • Met eorol ogical services in respect o f ou r obl i gat i on to the S af ety of Lif e at S e a (S O L A S ) Convent i on • Provi di ng meteorological and clima t ol og i ca l advi ce t o gover nment • Provi di ng meteorological sup p ort f or a vi a t i on a nd m ari t i m e search and rescue activities • Conduct ing educational and awarene s s program mes around weather and cli ma t e -re l a t e d t opi cs

C om m erc i al s er v i ces • Avi a t i on me t e orol og i ca l s e r vi c es a n d c lien t s p e ci f i c we a t he r f ore ca s t s , s er v ic es a n d cons u l t a t i ons • S e r vi ce s t o t he ma r i t i me i nd u str y th a t a re n o t i ncl u d e d i n t he S O L A S C onve n tio n • P rod u ct i on a nd s a l e of we a t h er a n d c lim a tere l a t e d p u b l i ca t i ons • C ont r a ct e d we a t he r a nd cl i m a te resea rc h

d etec tio n n etw o r k – essen tia l a s c lim a te c h a n ge sh ifts ex pec ta tio n s in w ea th er pa tter n s.

We o per a te fla sh flo o d guid a n c e a n d sto r m w a r n in g sy stem s th a t ben efit ta ilo r - m a d e a pplic a tio n s to a v a r iety o f w ea th er - sen sitiv e in d ustr ies. T h ese in c lud e o ur S ev ere Wea th er Wa r n in g S y stem ( S WWS ) ; MultiH a z a rd E a r ly Wa r n in g S y stem ; a n d S o uth Afr ic a n Fla sh Flo o d G uid a n c e sy stem ( S AFFG ) .

• M a nu f a ct u r i ng a nd s e l l i ng of m eteo ro lo gic a l e q u i p me nt t o t he s t a t e a nd o th er user s, a s w ell a s f ol l ow-u p ma i nt e na nce a nd s ta n d a rd isa tio n

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A s a n IS O 9001 ce r t i f i e d or g a ni s a tio n , th e stren gth of t he S ou t h A f r i ca n We a t he r S er v ic e lies in th e e nha nce d ca p a b i l i t y i t ha s i n s e v ere w ea th er w a r n in g t ool s a nd i t s s t a t e -of -t he -a r t we a th er o bser v a tio n s ne t wor k – i ncl u d i ng a p owe r f u l superc o m puter, a we a t he r r a d a r ne t wor k , s a t e l l i t e a n d a ligh tn in g

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Green Scorpions protecting South Africa’s future

The landscape of environmental compliance and enforcement in South Africa changed when an amendment to the National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) came into effect on 1 May 2005 and provided for the designation of Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) – the Green Scorpions.

Prior to this legislative development, compliance and enforcement took place in the green (biodiversity, protected areas), brown (environmental impact assessment, pollution and waste) and blue (marine and coastal) subsectors; however, this occurred in a fragmented and uncoordinated manner, in terms of outdated national environmental legislation.

and coastal matters (Sea Shore Act, 1935) were many decades old and out of kilter with modern environmental management policies and practices being implemented in the international community.

The creation of the EMI sought to bring these previously disparate pieces of legislation together in order to rationalise the compliance and enforcement powers under chapter 7 of NEMA. The main objective was to create a legal framework that promoted consistency by according compliance and enforcement officials responsible for the regulation of national environmental legislation with a standard set of legislative mandates, functions, powers and duties.

The key areas requiring modernisation were the provisions dealing with compliance and enforcement. They were typically characterised by low criminal sanctions (terms of imprisonment and monetary penalties) which provided an ineffective deterrent for potential environmental criminals, inadequate compliance and enforcement powers of inspection, investigation and issuing of administrative enforcement mechanisms. These legislative weaknesses, together with the isolated and fragmented nature of compliance and enforcement resulted in a less than optimal implementation of legislation and management of the regulated community.

The national Department of Environmental Affairs embarked on a sector-wide law reform process in the early 2000s in order to develop a new legislative regime for environmental law in South Africa. These changes were long overdue; legislation regulating national parks (National Parks Act, 1976), air quality (Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965)

Chapter 7 of NEMA aims to address these challenges by creating a common legislative platform for EMIs from across all spheres of government (national, provincial and local) to communicate, plan, execute, monitor and report across the blue, green and brown sectors. This creates a network of Green Scorpions that are well equipped to deal with

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the complex and multi-dimensional nature of environmental contraventions currently occurring in society.

GREEN SCORPIONS - REGULATING ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE Along with the standard set of national powers and duties, one of the first priorities for the Inspectorate was to create a distinctive identity with a national profile. Its corporate logo includes blue, green and brown to reflect the different sectors in which it operates; and a shield to indicate the constitutional imperative of these officials to protect the environment, in order to give effect to every citizen’s right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.

Over time, the EMI has become known as the Green Scorpions, primarily through use of the term in the media. This national EMI network breaks through the traditional separation between the protections of different aspects of the environment and will include park rangers and conservation, air quality, marine and coastal enforcement officers, pollution and waste enforcement officials and officials monitoring urban developments.

The legal mandate of the Green Scorpions is to undertake compliance and enforcement in terms of the full ambit of national sectorial environmental Acts that followed on NEMA as follows: • • • • • •

National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) (NEMA) National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004) N ational Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (57 of 2004) National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004) National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59 of 2008) N ational Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (24 of 2008) • Environment Conservation Act (73 of 1989) This includes any subordinate legislation (regulations, norms and standards) as well as any permits or other authorisations issued in terms of these Acts.

In order to undertake their duties, in terms of the above mentioned Acts effectively, EMIs are accorded extensive authority by chapter 7 of NEMA, including: • Routine inspection (entering premises to ascertain compliance) • I nvestigation (questioning witnesses, copying documents, inspecting and removing articles or substances, taking photographs and audiovisual recordings, taking samples and removing waste) • E nforcement (search and seizure of premises, containers, vessels, vehicles, aircraft and search of pack animals, establishing roadblocks and arrest) • Administrative powers (issuing compliance notices) In order to promote consistency with which these powers are executed by all EMIs, a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) has been developed to guide them in the delivery of key compliance and enforcement activities. In addition, a Code of Conduct commits every Green Scorpion to take a firm but fair approach in exercising his or her authority.

In addition to responding to complaints of non-compliance – for example, those that come through the National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline – the Green Scorpions also take a proactive approach to compliance and enforcement by focussing their attention on strategic industry sectors.

These include the ferroalloy, steel and iron industry; refineries; cement; paper and pulp; health care risk waste; hazardous waste and power generation sectors. In addition, certain ‘blitzes’ are also planned and executed in sectors in which non-compliances are rife, such as in healthcare risk waste and sand mining. This type of approach enables the Green Scorpions to maximise their impact with their limited human and financial resources by targeting the key risks to the environment.

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These sectors were chosen as a result of their potential to exceed the allowable concentrations of a number of priority emissions including CO2, particulate matter and SO2, the pollution associated with the generation of slag and other waste, high levels of water consumption, water pollution and wastage, as well as energy consumption.

The Inspectorate utilises practical experience in implementing the provisions of the law falling within its mandate to highlight potential gaps and/or weaknesses in the legislative framework.

By way of example, the Green Scorpions have provided feedback to the law/policy-makers to enable the country’s participation in an international comparison of penalties for environmental offences conducted through the Interpol Pollution and Waste Working Group. The findings of this study revealed that, although South Africa’s terms of imprisonment compared favourably with other countries, its monetary penalties were completely out of kilter with international trends. As a result, the maximum monetary penalties were increased substantially to deter would-be criminals.

EMI TRAINING PRODUCES RESULTS The nature of modern environmental crime is constantly evolving, with criminals becoming more organised and complex (as is the case with the current rhino-poaching scourge). To enable the Green Scorpions to keep up, all government officials who wish to become eligible for designation are required to attend a rigorous and intense three-week basic training programme (offered by the National Department) that provides the core skills for them to be able to execute their duties effectively.

This basic training programme aims to provide a common platform for all attendees, who typically come from a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds,

ranging from environmental management/science, engineering, and conservation to law enforcement. In terms of regulations promulgated by NEMA, no person may be designated as an EMI without having received the required training.

In addition to the basic training, there is an additional layer of advanced or specialised training that focuses either on specific pieces of sectorial legislation – such as the Waste Act and EIA Regulations – or specific areas of compliance and enforcement – for example, crime scene management, operational conflict management and docket management.

The capacity-building programme was bolstered by the involvement of international environmental agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Environment Agency of England and Wales (UKEA). The UKEA programme involved the exchange of expertise and information through training and awareness-raising workshops, practical experience, exchange visits and virtual meetings. This saw not only the Green Scorpions being exposed to international best practice, but also assisted in capacitating magistrates and prosecutors who had an opportunity to attend learning sessions offered.

The Green Scorpions training programme has been well established in national and provincial spheres of government since 2006. More recently however, local authority officials have been included in these training courses, primarily to provide much needed capacity for the compliance and enforcement with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39 of 2004).

After successful completion of an approved basic training programme, officials may be designated as Environmental Management Inspectors. There

“The findings of this study revealed that, although South Africa’s terms of imprisonment compared favourably with other countries, its monetary penalties were completely out of kilter with international trends.”

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are five grades of EMIs – grade 5 (field rangers), grade 4 (inspectors), grade 3 (investigators), grade 2 (enforcers) and grade 1 (administrators). Each grade has its own set of unique powers according to the specific functions that the EMIs are responsible for.

The establishment of trained EMIs has already resulted in improved efficiency and effectiveness in compliance monitoring and the enforcement of environmental legislation, as well as increased environmental awareness among stakeholders.

• T here has been a 12.26% increase in the total number of EMIs on the national register from 1 705 in 2012/13 to 1 915 in 2013/14 • Of the 1 915 EMIs on the national register, 1 252 (65%) are grade 5 EMIs (field rangers employed at national and provincial parks authorities) • There has been an 18.7% (197) increase in the number of grade 5 EMI field rangers from 1 055 in 2012/13 to 1 252 in 2013/14 • SANParks (686), Ezemvelo (474), Limpopo DEDET (226) Eastern Cape Parks (107) have the most EMIs (majority are grade 5 field rangers) followed by DEA (65) and Western Cape DEADP (52), while Mpumalanga DEDET (13), Mpumalanga Parks (10), and Isimangaliso (5) have the least Limpopo DEDET showed an annual increase of 128% from 104 EMIs in 2012/13 to 226 in 2013/14, followed by Eastern Cape DEDET and North West DEDECT, which each reported an increase of 23%. Cape Nature recorded a 175% increase from 8 to 22 EMIs and Ezemvelo showed a 36% annual increase in EMIs. Outside of SANParks, Gauteng has the highest number of EMIs in the country.

GREEN SCORPIONS STRIKE BACK Since the creation of the EMI, increased compliance monitoring and enforcement work

has been undertaken and some important successes have been recorded in terms of strategic prosecutions and administrative enforcement action.

• T here was a dramatic increase by 199.48% in the value of section 24G administrative fines paid, from R5 385 215 in 2012/2013 to R16 127 751 in 2013/14

• T here has been a 34.52% increase in the number of reported environmental incidents, from 4 479 in 2012/13 to 6 025 in 2013/14 • T here was a general increase in the number of criminal dockets registered in the previous three financial year cycles, from 1 080 (50.42% increase) in 2011/12, 1 488 (37.7% increase) in 2012/13 and 1 862 (25% increase) in 2013/14 • T he number of admission of guilt fines (J534s) issued has dramatically decreased by 71.04% from 5 825 in 2012/13 to 1 687 in 2013/14 • T he value of admission of guilt fines paid in 2013/14 was R498 230, which has decreased by 23.85% from R654 250 in 2012/13 • T he number of criminal dockets handed to the NPA increased by 41.42% from 268 in 2012/13 to 379 in 2013/14 • T he number of arrests by EMIs has decreased by 35.77% from 1 818 in 2012/13 to 1 371 in 2013/14 • T he number of acquittals has remained the same at eight in 2012/13 and 2013/14 • C onvictions reported have slightly increased by 11.43% from 70 reported in 2012/13 to 78 in 2013/14 • T here has been a decrease in the number of plea and sentence agreements reached from 14 in 2012/13 to 11 reported in 2013/14 • T he number of warning letters issued has increased from 187 in 2012/13 to 228 in 2013/14 that equates to an increase of 21.93% • T he number of administrative notices issued has increased by 22.88% from 577 in 2012/13 to 709 in 2013/14 • T he number of civil court applications launched decreased by 50% from four in 2012/13 to two in 2013/14

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

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Due to the concurrent nature of environmental compliance and enforcement and the subsequent split of duties amongst national, provincial and local spheres of government, the establishment, development and maintenance of a proper and effective framework for coordination and collaboration is essential for the sector.

The primary forum for this is Mintech WGIV (as well as its various task teams such as the National Biodiversity Investigators Forum), which includes members from national DEA, SANParks, Isimangaliso, provincial parks boards and environmental authorities.

Another mechanism to promote collaboration is the national Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Lekgotla, which is a multistakeholder event that takes place every two years, in which EMIs and other key role players (such as SAPS, the NPA and SARS) are invited to discuss and debate key issues of environmental compliance and enforcement.

Due to the wide scope of environmental regulation, regulations from other national departments, such as water, land, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, health, labour, transport and mineral resources, are often drawn into environmental compliance and enforcement activities. Recent legislative amendments bringing into effect ‘one environmental system’ for mining and environmental permitting and compliance and enforcement, now makes provision for the designation of Environmental Management Resource Inspectors, within the Department of Mineral Resources, that will be responsible for undertaking inspections

and investigations in relation to environmental impact assessment and waste noncompliances related to mining.

In addition to these sectors, the Inspectorate also relies heavily on other criminal justice role players, such as the SAPS and the NPA to ensure that criminal sanctions are applied effectively to offenders.

Although the environmental compliance and enforcement sector does not have its own dedicated environmental prosecutors (except for certain organised environmental crimes, such as rhino poaching); there are specific environmental crime nodal points in each provincial Director of Public Prosecution’s office that will serve as a central point of contact for EMIs. These nodal points are responsible for the referral of environmental cases to relevant EMIs within their jurisdiction; as well as prosecuting the more complex environmental crimes themselves. Since 2006, the Inspectorate has had a collaborative arrangement with Justice College and the NPA that has seen the presentation of an annual capacity-building programme for prosecutors.

As with the prosecutors training programme, the Inspectorate has been collaborating with Justice College in raising the awareness of judicial officers in the nature scope and impacts of environmental crime. This initiative sees the attendees exposed to the full range of blue, green and brown environmental enforcement and the challenges faced by

the EMIs. To supplement these workshops, a Magistrates Bench book was developed in collaboration with Justice College, with several chapters co-authored by attendee magistrates.

There is also a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between the EMI and the SAPS. The SOP seeks to, among others, give due recognition to each of these law enforcement agencies to undertake criminal investigations under their respective governing legislation. Accordingly, the SOP sets out a collaborative procedure that enables designated SAPS representatives to book out certain criminal case dockets to EMIs, who in turn, will be responsible for carrying such dockets in specific circumstances.

On the international front the Green Scorpions have actively engaged with the ICCWC (International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime) partners, which includes Interpol, the World Customs Organisation, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the CITES Secretariat. Through these engagements and participation in international operations, the important work of the Inspectorate in fighting environmental crime has been highlighted and strengthened. The Inspectorate (together with other enforcement agencies in the country) plays an important role in giving effect to and implementing the commitments made in terms of the many enforcement-related international declarations, strategies and memoranda of understanding focussed on environmental crimes.

“On the international front the Green Scorpions have actively engaged with the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).�

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Waste management

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Chemicals and Waste Management (CWM) is one of the newly created branches of the Department of Environmental Affairs. The branch comprises of a team that has grown from only five people in 1994, when it was a sub-directorate, to 68 people 20 years later.

The Minister of the Department of Environmental Affairs recently stated that after 20 years of democracy, the time has come for a transformation in the waste sector to offer people a more dignified living by including them into the mainstream economy and formalising the waste recycling economy as a viable and decent way to accelerate job creation in the sector for tens of thousands of people across South Africa.

Any substance that is surplus, unwanted, rejected, abandoned or disposed of is considered waste. Although waste is mostly unavoidable, it may have an economic value when reused, recycled or recovered. Economic development, urbanisation and the move towards improving living standards in South Africa have led to an increase in the quantity and complexity of waste generated.

Prior to 1994, waste was not viewed as a resource and levels of recycling were low.

Democratic South Africa saw environmental rights being enshrined in the South African Constitution, followed by the formation of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) put into place in 1998.

NEW APPROACH Historically, South Africa followed an endof-pipe waste management approach which focused on the disposal of waste at landfills.

A new approach was required to emphasise waste avoidance and bring South Africa in line with an international standard of waste management. The end-of-pipe approach was made inconsistent with DEA’s sustainable development commitments due to the environmental risks associated with landfill operations, reduced land availability for new landfills, and the valuable resources discarded at landfills that can be recycled (like glass, metal, paper and some types of plastic).

Agenda 21 was established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro where there was a call for world action on the environment and increased international efforts towards sustainable development. This agenda formed the broad context for pollution prevention and waste minimisation in South Africa.

Subsequently, South Africa has become a signatory to a number of multilateral environmental agreements, including the Basel Convention (governing the trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste), the Stockholm Convention (controlling persistent organic pollutants) and the Rotterdam Convention (requiring prior informed consent for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade). Perhaps the most pertinent of these developments is the London Protocol of 1996 which prohibits the dumping of certain hazardous waste and provides for a permitting system for a number of identified materials and wastes.

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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WASTE AMENDMENT BILL 2014 The Department of Environmental Affairs has embarked on a law reform process which includes amendments and improvements made to the National Waste Management Act in order to enhance implementation as well as to streamline regulatory approaches for acceleration of economic growth by promoting a waste recycling economy.

Firstly, there is a need to increase certainty regarding regulations, policy and the desire for industry to invest significantly in waste management technologies. Secondly, by augmenting the institutional capacity and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities, it is believed that the department could promote the waste management hierarchy more effectively which provides opportunity to harness the economic potential of the waste services sector with an estimated turnover of approximately R50 billion per annum.

Consequently, this will catalyse investment in large scale recycling infrastructure to enable waste separation, waste diversion, recycling and recovery.

MOVING WASTE PICKERS TO MAINSTREAM EMPLOYMENT In 2012, South Africa finalised the Waste Management Strategy which is based on principles that promote dealing with the waste hierarchy namely reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. This strategy is currently under implementation.

Having reconsidered this strategy and the current policy and regulatory framework, the department acknowledges the waste management hierarchy is not adequately and actively promoted. Both waste collection and the recycling industry currently make meaningful contributions to job creation and the GDP that can be accelerated and scaled up.

degradation. This is coupled with the fact that levels of recycling and re-use are relatively low and waste is not necessarily interpreted as a resource with socioeconomic potential.

To address challenges in this area the National Development Plan identified the implementation of the waste management hierarchy of reduce, re-use and recycle as a means to exploit job creation and economic production from this sector. This requires product stewardship, producer responsibility and the rapid expansion of recycling infrastructure as well as an enabled legislative framework and institutional capacity to implement it.

The main drivers of waste generation are essentially expanding economies, increased goods production and increasing populations. Given the nature of the waste sector, there are significant potential job opportunities that need to be unlocked and unblocked in order for this sector to contribute to job creation effectively.

Many South Africans who depend on the informal economy have been living off waste dumps in order to sustain a livelihood. They are commonly known as waste pickers.

For some, this is all they have known since childhood and the cycle is expected to continue with their offspring. This problem is expanded amongst the thousands of waste pickers and their families who salvage daily across the country.

Increased quantities of waste, poor waste management and a lack of access to waste services led to pollution and associated health impacts and environmental

After 20 years of democracy, the time has come for a transformation of the waste sector to offer a more dignified living by including the waste pickers into the

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mainstream economy and formalising the waste recycling economy as a viable and decent way to accelerate job creation in this sector.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RECYCLING ECONOMY

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Over the last three years, the concept of a green economy has moved into the mainstream policy discourse. Transitioning to a green economy has sound economic and social justification.

For South Africa, and in the waste management sector in particular, this transition would involve levelling the playing field for greener products by reforming policies and developing incentives, strengthening market infrastructure, redirecting public investment, greening public procurement and improving institutional and implementation capacity.

the government. Even though government has tried to stimulate waste recycling by introducing waste buy-back centres, waste drop-off centres and separation of different waste streams (such as glass, paper, cardboard, metal cans, scrap metal, plastics and garden waste); these stimulation efforts have been relatively ineffective to date given the large amount of waste produced. This is evident in the large quantities of recyclable materials found in the waste arriving at landfill sites.

Unlocking the potential of the waste sector needs an innovative institutional mechanism as the vehicle that will liberate the previously disenfranchised, primarily women and youth, and catapult them into the mainstream economy.

For the private sector, this involves responding to policy reform and government incentives, which will result in increased disbursement, financing and investment, as well as building skills and innovation capacities to take advantage of opportunities arising in the waste sector.

The waste sector is an integral part of the emerging green economy. Whilst the various parts of the waste management value chain have a huge potential to generate jobs and increase SMME numbers, which are targeted at 69 000 new jobs and 2 600 additional SMMEs in the Waste Management Strategy, there is still a huge need for infrastructure development, particularly in the waste recycling sector. The department intends to use the principle of ‘producer responsibility’ through the development and implementation of Industry Waste Management Plans (IWMPs) to facilitate the increase of jobs and enterprises in the waste sector.

Majority of commercial waste recycling initiatives in South Africa have been developed on an ad hoc basis and have been largely driven by the private sector, with little financial input from

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Having finalised and published the department’s strategy for mainstreaming jobs for women and youth through waste, the platform has been established to scale up these projects in order to maximise the full potential of the contribution of the waste sector to the broader economy.

Waste management has traditionally suffered from pervasive under-pricing resulting in the costs of waste management being underappreciated by consumers and industry, causing waste disposal to be preferred over other options.

A market failure is represented in the undervaluing of waste and recyclable materials.

This results in excess waste on the streets, rivers

and landfill sites. By apportioning the right value to waste, more markets and trade in recyclable goods will be created resulting in more jobs and more enterprise development.

In order to facilitate more market demand for recyclable goods and services there is a need to embark on a holistic approach to quantifying the economic potential of the various waste streams in the waste sector. A new pricing strategy is thus envisaged in the new amendments which seek to provide a guiding methodology to be developed between all stakeholders. This will then be formalised and incorporated into a money bill, which will be developed with treasury and provide for the collection of revenue derived from waste charges as well as its disbursement and funding of industry waste management plans.

WASTE MANAGEMENT BUREAU While the department has laid a good policy and regulatory framework, capacity to implement has been a key challenge.

Through these new amendments, the DEA has proposed the establishment of a Waste Management Bureau which will have specialised capacity to support and advise on the development and implementation of waste management plans, programmes and strategies through the new pricing regime. The bureau will also be responsible for promoting and facilitating best practice in the minimisation, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste by providing specialist expertise and support for the implementation of these plans while monitoring the impact and efficacy of incentives. This will mean the country has dedicated capacity to drive and firmly entrench the recycling economy through a co-ordinated, robust and credible institutional vehicle.

In addition to the IWMP that is currently in implementation for waste tyres, it is intended that the bureau will align and fast track the development and implementation of all waste plans for a number of other waste streams including paper and packaging, electronic waste, lighting, glass, metal and plastic, etc. The IWMPs are designed to enhance a coordinated approach to infrastructure investment in the recycling sector. This presents an opportunity to increase job numbers in the waste sector, formalise existing informal jobs as well as developing SMMEs and cooperatives.

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Working towards a sustainable future for South Africa Stacey Davidson, director at REDISA (Recycling and Economic Initiative of South Africa)

Accurately measuring the impact business has on communities and the

management of legacy stockpiles and the reduction of the carbon footprint of

environment is tricky business. Relatively few South African enterprises are in the

waste tyres.

position to be able to pinpoint with precision how many jobs they have created or how much money low-income communities are earning as a direct result of

Reducing carbon emissions is one of the necessary requirements for change in

their activities. Few can reliably track carbon dioxide emissions given off from the

our global economy. At REDISA, sustainability does not mean the focus is merely

vehicles that their suppliers or service providers use, or calculate the carbon load

on reducing carbon emissions – the company is conscious of their impact on other

of each processing plant.

natural resources and how they can increase the life-cycle of some of them.

That being said, the rationale behind integrated reporting was never to complicate

Within two years, REDISA has signified a 16 321 reduction in carbon emissions.

reporting on business operations. It was created to encourage integrated corporate

In addition, it has made remarkable progress in job creation in South Africa and

strategies driven toward the development of truly sustainable businesses which are

developing small businesses by turning waste into worth. From 1 December 2013

conscious of the negative impact their operations have on communities.

to the end of January 2015, REDISA had created 1 703 jobs. REDISA is currently collecting tyres from 1 648 (over 80%) dealers, and as the Plan continues in its

REDISA (the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa),

five year rollout, more dealers and collection points will be located nationwide. In

as recognised by the Department of Environmental Affairs, has developed an

addition, 173 SMME business operations are working with REDISA as per the Plan,

environment in which the tyre recycling industry can function and succeed

with many more to come. REDISA is committed to achieving its goal of creating 10

– resulting in job creation countrywide. REDISA’s core role is to create job

000 jobs.

opportunities and support Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) by cleaning the environment of waste tyres through the development of this industry.

By applying the business technology and strategy for sustainable business in waste tyre management, the company has handled the risk waste tyres pose on

Please visit www.redisa.org.za

for more information.

Contact details:

Tel: 087 35-REUSE (73873) Email: info@redisa.org.za

REDISA’s business is to turn waste into worth; specifically with the millions of tyres

the environment, provided jobs to entrepreneurs and invested in long-term skills

that are scrapped as waste in South Africa every year. Tyre manufacturers and

and academic research.

importers pay a waste management fee to REDISA to handle their tyre recovery and recycling liability and understandably expect us to account for this.

REDISA looks forward to continuing to work with partners in government, business and trade unions, as well as consumers and NGOs, as a more sustainable,

REDISA’s role, as published in the REDISA Plan, is an unusual one: the auditing

efficient and long-term circular economy for South Africa and beyond is built.

and reporting requirements are that the Plan will be evaluated in terms of the 2 0 Y E A R S O F C R E AT I N G H A R M O N Y B E T W E E N T H E E N V I R O N M E N T A N D I T S P E O P L E

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Vissershok Depot

Wendell Harts REDISA National Depot Manager “REDISA provides employment so people can provide for their families. This is our chance to make South Africa an empowered country going forward into the future.”

Terrence Sithole Micro Collector “REDISA has given us the courage to do something better with our lives. Now we are our own bosses.”

Terrence – Micro Collector

Megan Rosseau REDISA Transporter “Working with REDISA has been a very nice experience. I would advise anyone joining us, to take the opportunity with both hands.

Because the sky’s the limit with REDISA.”

Pieter – Recycler

Wendell – National Depot Manager

Stanley Mangoegape REDISA Midrand Depot Manager “Working with REDISA has changed my circumstances and given me a new lease on life. They gave me an opportunity when no-one else would.”

Megan Mossel – Transporter Bay Depot

Stanley – Depot Manager

Tyre cutting

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM WHERE EVERYONE CAN WIN REDISA manages the process of turning waste into worth through a connected ‘win­win’ approach. This allows us to help grow businesses (SMMEs), create more employment opportunities and aid the environment. The REDISA system is a world­first and won the 2014 International Oracle Sustainability Award for innovation. It has already made a difference – over 1 700 jobs have been created with 112% of the jobs target reached. What’s more, of the 200 SMMEs we are required to establish within the next 5 years, 170 have already been created.

Many South Africans have already benefitted ...

Johanna Baleng (REDISA Mossel Bay Depot Manager) “It’s the first time I have been given such a big opportunity and I would like to say thank you to REDISA.”

Lebogang Selepe (REDISA Transporter) “I can be able to sleep now. I can provide food for my family. I even have my own place now.

I believe in the REDISA Plan and the difference it will make.”

Sithandile Ngxangxa (REDISA bursary recipient) “I received a bursary from REDISA to do my Masters in Analytical Chemistry.”

If you think of the success the REDISA Plan has already achieved, imagine the potential it has for South Africa and our economy in the future.

JOIN THE JOURNEY | www.redisa.org.za |

/wasteintoworth |

@wasteintoworth

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Mining and environment The issue of mining and the environment has flared up in recent years. Communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and activist groups have voiced concerns regarding environmental degradation due to mining. Mining near the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site is an example of the controversial nature of the situation.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with South African National Parks (SANParks) and Coal of Africa to ensure integrity of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (MCL) World Heritage Site. To attain the goal of this MOA, the parties agree to:

conservation and sustainable development of the MCL World Heritage Site.

It is also aimed at maintaining the integrity of the site and ensuring that the negative impacts of development are avoided, minimised or remedied in the pursuit of sustainable development.

• P romote alliances in the management of natural and cultural resources • E nsure compliance with the provisions of the MOA as well as with the requirements of other applicable legislation via monitoring and evaluation • E ncourage social, economic and other partnerships among stakeholders • P romote integrated planning, research, education, awareness and capacity building • C ollaborate in formulating detailed biodiversity offset programmes and implementation plans • P rovide adequate financial, human and other resources for the effective implementation of the MOA

MINING AND BIODIVERSITY GUIDELINE

It has also negotiated a ground-breaking biodiversity offset agreement between the Vele Colliery and the MCL World Heritage Site based on the ecosystem approach to biodiversity management. This approach promotes the integrated management of land, water and natural capital to achieve optimal conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the three parties towards the

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The Minister launched the ‘Mining and Biodiversity Guideline: Mainstreaming biodiversity into the mining sector’ in 2013.

South Africa’s rich biodiversity and ecological infrastructure support the country’s social and economic development in multiple direct and indirect ways. South Africa’s mining industry also plays a vital role in the growth and development of the country and its economy; however it tends to have an impact on the country’s biodiversity in unsustainable ways.

The constitution of South Africa recognises the vital role of both ecological and mineral resources in a development path and that the two are not necessarily opposing objectives. As such, this guideline has been developed to facilitate the sustainable development of South Africa’s mineral resources in a manner that enables regulators, industry and practitioners to minimise the impact of mining on the country’s biodiversity and ecosystem services.

FOUR-STEP MITIGATION The guideline provides direction on how to avoid, minimise or remedy mining impacts as part of a thorough environmental impact assessment and robust environmental management programme. As such, the guideline establishes a four-step mitigation hierarchy aimed at encouraging proactive planning that avoids disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity as a first approach. Secondly, in cases where loss of biodiversity cannot be avoided, the mitigation hierarchy encourages finding alternative methods in mining that minimise the impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Thirdly, the mitigation hierarchy makes reference to the importance of rehabilitating those areas where biodiversity loss was unavoidable and could not be minimised. Finally, the mitigation hierarchy encourages biodiversity offsets as a last resort. Biodiversity offsets are aimed at compensating for the residual negative effects on biodiversity after every effort has been made to minimise and then rehabilitate impacts.

The mitigation hierarchy is therefore aimed at enabling mining activities in a manner that deter loss to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The contribution of both the mining industry and biodiversity to the economy remains significant. Yet biodiversity is typically under-valued despite its estimated contribution of 7% to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) which translates to R73 billion and supports over a million jobs.

The mining industry is a long-standing and pivotal driver of South Africa’s economy, but the industry has also had a significant impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, often causing potentially irreversible and large-scale habitat loss. Although a range of legislation exists to avoid such damage, the information is often scattered across many documents.

The guideline concludes the legislation regarding mining and the environment into one document that can be referred to as and when needed. The guideline does not seek to exempt the user from complying with the relevant pieces of legislation.

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DEA: 20 YEARS OF A GREENER AND CLEANER SOUTH AFRICA

SIX GUIDING PRINCIPLES The guideline offers the user six principles that can be applied to good decision making when addressing biodiversity issues and impacts in a mining context.

The principles include; applying the law, using the best available biodiversity information, engaging all relevant stakeholders thoroughly and using the best practice environmental impact assessment to identify, assess and evaluate impacts on biodiversity.

The principles outlined in the guideline also include applying the mitigation hierarchy in planning any mining-related activities and in developing robust environmental management programmes. The final principle entails ensuring effective implementation of environmental management programmes, including adaptive management.

The principles contained in the guideline therefore make broad reference to the various administrative requirements and approvals associated with mining and related activities and provide the user with categories of biodiversity priority areas in relation to their biodiversity importance and implications for mining. This is aimed at guiding the user towards environmentally sustainable mining practices.

The guideline is aimed primarily at environmental, exploration, project and mine managers, environmental assessment practitioners, officials of the Departments of Environmental Affairs, Mineral Resources and Water Affairs and conservation authorities. As such, the guideline seeks to improve consistency in dealing with biodiversity issues related to mining.

Efficient environmental management at mining operations located in areas of high biodiversity value can provide opportunities that achieve biodiversity conservation goals without incurring economic costs, and can generate benefits for people and enterprises.

It is anticipated that this guideline will foster a strong relationship between biodiversity and mining, which will eventually translate into better practice within the mining sector.

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International engagement and programmes

Emerging from a period of international isolation from the apartheid regime, over the past 20 years, the South African government has become fully integrated in global and regional environmental bodies and processes.

It has often taken a central role in forums such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), which have subsequently been replaced by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

South Africa continues to be influential in multilateral agreements for biodiversity protection and conservation. These include the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); the World Heritage Convention; the Convention on Migratory Species; and the Antarctic Treaty.

South Africa has also played a key role as a developing country in international climate change negotiations; being a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force in 2005, setting legally binding quantified

emission reduction targets for developed country signatories.

inception, until October 2013. DEA continues to serve as a Board member of the GCF.

The Department of Environmental Affairs has successfully coordinated and led South Africa’s participation in the UNCSD processes since 1994. This includes strategic leadership demonstrated in leading the coordination mechanism for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg in 2002; and the Rio+20 Conference held in Brazil in 2012, which aimed at securing renewed political commitment to sustainable development, assessing the progress and implementation gaps in meeting already agreed to commitments and addressing new challenges.

DEA ROLE

Within the context of the financial mechanisms of the UNFCCC, South Africa has been a leading player in the establishment of the Green Climate Fund, as an operating entity of the financial mechanism. It has been the co-chair of the Transitional Committee for the design of its governing instrument; facilitating the COP17 decision designating the GCF as its operating entity and approving the governing instrument; and been appointed to the Board of the GCF, co-chairing the Board from its

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DEA plays a strategic role in representing South Africa and articulating the country’s position at key meetings where it negotiates issues, taking the national and regional interest into account, puts forward South Africa’s position and shapes and contributes to international environmental agreements.

The business process that is followed in the department’s international collaboration to promote a global sustainable development agenda starts off with policy research, followed by a process of stakeholder consultation, from which a negotiating mandate is obtained.

Based on this mandate, the department can present the country’s position at meetings of the parties who are signatories to various international environmental conventions and agreements.

At these meetings, the department reports its progress on the implementation of outcomes and negotiates the country’s position in terms of future policy developments. The outcome is

the monitoring and evaluation of programmes and policies in order to bring about a change in the current state of the environment.

Through DEA (in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation), South Africa plays a leading role in the negotiations surrounding sustainable development, chemicals management, fisheries management, ocean and marine resources, climate change, biodiversity and related heritage issues. The outcome of most of these negotiations reflects South Africa’s negotiating objectives and positions.

BI-LATERAL RELATIONS South Africa has developed from participating in engagements with other countries on an ad hoc basis to engaging in strategic frameworks of environmental and tourism collaboration. Its bilateral engagements have proved to be so successful that the National Treasury often uses DEA as an example for other government departments to structure their donor management systems. Its strategic bilateral agreements have mobilised significant financial and technical resources for the environment and tourism sectors in South Africa.

Enhanced south-south cooperation has been achieved with Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria and Egypt. South Africa is also actively engaged in the India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) forum, negotiating and signing environmental and tourism MoUs and has intensified cooperation with China on environment and tourism. In terms of north-south cooperation, relations with Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the European Union, among others, have been enhanced and strengthened.

INTERNATIONAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Cooperation in the Field of Biodiversity Conservation and Protection was signed in 2012. It is the result of a bi-lateral meeting where issues discussed included wildlife protection and in particular issues pertaining to hunting and illegal killing of rhino, as well as the subsequent illegal trade in rhino horn.

The objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of biodiversity conservation and protection, law enforcement and compliance with CITES based on equality and mutual benefit. The two countries have agreed that the MoU and the subsequent implementation plan allow cooperation in areas of biodiversity conservation, biodiversity law enforcement, wildlife trade, information and intelligence sharing and gathering, permit issuing processes and verification mechanisms, monitoring and reporting systems, technology development and sharing, capacity building and training, prosecution and law enforcement, awareness, knowledge and research, custom services and legal systems within which the two countries operate.

During President Xi Jinping’s inaugural state visit to South Africa in March 2013, South Africa and China signed a MoU on the Cooperation in the Fields of Wetland and Desert Ecosystems and Wildlife Conservation. The MoU focuses predominantly on wildlife management and trade and includes issues of CITES, UNCCD, and the Ramsar Convention. The MoU covers cooperation regarding wetland and desert ecosystems and wildlife conservation, including relevant policies and regulations, compliance monitoring and enforcement, research and development, institutional capacity building and personnel training.

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On 26 August 2010, during President Zuma’s state visit to China, South Africa and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) signed an MoU on cooperation in the field of environmental management. Its main objective is to promote cooperative efforts of environmental protection and to promote collaboration and exchange between the two countries in the environmental field, in order to preserve and improve the environment for present and future generations.

The MoU on environment outlines a number of priority areas of cooperation between the two countries, which are: • • • • • • •

Biodiversity conservation Environmental management Implementation of environmental policies Environmental monitoring, compliance and enforcement Environmental technology Management of hazardous and toxic wastes Other areas related to the objective referred

SADC AND AFRICA With the advent of democracy, South Africa’s role and responsibility in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the sub-region has increased. South Africa plays a leadership role in articulating its own interests, as well as those of countries in SADC, Africa and other developing countries. It provides global leadership on sustainable development and has succeeded in strengthening SADC’s environmental structures through the SADC Environment Ministers’ Forum.

Furthermore, at the SADC Summit held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in August 2014, several Heads of State including President Zuma, signed the SADC Protocol on Environmental Management for Sustainable Development. This Protocol will strengthen cooperation on environmental management amongst SADC member states and provide an instrument to management transboundary environmental resources.

South Africa successfully hosted the 12th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in June 2008. It also assumed presidency of AMCEN for the period 2008 to 2010. Under South Africa’s leadership, the terms of reference for the Presidency and Secretariat were defined and approved.

Furthermore, an earmarked fund was created within its trust fund to facilitate the receipt of funding from donors to finance its activities. Proper fiduciary standards are applied. South Africa also supported AMCEN by initiating a process to develop a common African position on key issues such as the implementation of NEPAD’s Action Plan of the Environment Initiative and the development of a climate change implementation framework to strengthen Africa’s role in multilateral agreements related to this issue. The African Union (AU) has approved the integration of AMCEN into the AU as a specialised technical committee at ministerial level.

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The Ministers of Water and Environmental Affairs of South Africa and Botswana signed the Regional Environment and Social Assessment (RESA) of coal based energy projects along South Africa and Botswana borders on 30 August 2012. The MoU outlines broad project areas of cooperation between South Africa and Botswana. Through the RESA study, the participants will focus on those impacts that are significant, have the potential of becoming significant and would or should have an influence on decisionmaking in the area of influence of existing and proposed coal-based investments and projects in the South Africa/Botswana border area.

The South African Weather Services and the Namibian Meteorological Services have developed an MoU on Cooperation in Meteorology to formalise relations and cooperation between the two national meteorological services. The agreement is technical and institutional in nature and was signed during the Namibia State Visit on 7 November 2012.

On 17 April 2014, a MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Biodiversity Conservation and Management was signed by the Minister of Environment of South Africa and Minister of Tourism of Mozambique in Skukuza, Kruger National Park. The main objective of this MoU is to enhance cooperation between two countries to combat rhino poaching ravaging the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

The main areas of cooperation are proposed as follows: 1. B iodiversity management, conservation and protection 2. P romotion of biodiversity sustainable use as an integral part of conservation of species and ecosystems 3. C ompliance with CITES and other relevant international, regional and sub-regional binding conventions and protocols 4. Biodiversity law enforcement 5. C ompliance with domestic frameworks and applicable regional and sub-regional conventions and protocols 6. S trengthen cooperation on the above through

exchange of information, intelligence, best practice and research 7. J oint technology innovation, development and enhancement 8. W ildlife trade, protected areas management, community development through biodiversity economy, and sustainable livelihoods 9. E ducation, awareness and capacity building in biodiversity management, conservation, protection and law enforcement

Through the Global Environmental Facility, South Africa has been able to access over US$140 million in grant funding for national projects and has participated in a further US$300 million in subregional, regional and global environmental projects (a substantial increase to the funding of US$20 million that was granted in 1994). Furthermore, we have managed to mobilise US$10 million from the Adaptation Fund and a concessional loan of US$500 million from the World Bank Clean Technology Fund.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION

Projects funded include:

South Africa’s active participation in the international arena has enabled it to tap into various multilateral funding sources available to developing countries such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Banks Climate Investment Funds (CIF), the Adaptation Fund and the newly established Green Climate Fund. Furthermore, South Africa has transitioned from being merely a recipient of funding to being a donor and active member of the Replenishment Committee of the GEF.

• U pington 100 MW concentrated solar plant (World Bank clean technology fund) • P romoting organic waste-to-energy and other low-carbon technologies in SMMEs: accelerating biogas market development (GEF) • I ndustrial energy efficiency improvement in South Africa through mainstreaming the introduction of energy management systems and energy systems optimisation (GEF) • I mplementation of the strategic action programme for the protection of the western Indian Ocean from land-based sources and activities (GEF) • B uilding resilience in the greater uMngeni catchment and taking adaptation to the ground: a small grants facility for enabling local level responses to climate change (adaptation fund)

Within the scope of the sub-region, South Africa has succeeded in coordinating and strengthening the SADC GEF constituency, as well as the SADC Ministers’ of Environment Forum. This has enabled it to exercise some influence as to the policies, procedures and programming of the GEF and other such financing mechanisms. South Africa has been lobbying for some time for the reform of the GEF governance structure and Resource Allocation Frameworks (RAF).

Following negotiations, the council agreed to revise and reform the RAF and adopted the system for transparent allocation of resources. South Africa also championed the issue of direct access for developing country national implementing entities with the result that the DBSA became the first national implementing entity to be accredited to the GEF and SANBI as a national implementing entity for the Adaptation Fund.

“South Africa’s active participation in the international arena has enabled it to tap into various multilateral funding sources available to developing countries.”

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Law reform

APPENDIX

The mandate and core business of the Department of Environmental Affairs is underpinned by the Constitution and all other relevant legislation and policies applicable to the government. These include the Batho Pele White Paper and legislation such as the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act 3 of 2000), the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000(Act 2 of 2000), the Protected Disclosures Act 2000 (Act 26 of 2000), and the Public Service Act 1994, which advance the principles of Batho Pele.

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Sea-shore Act (Act 21 of 1935)

1998

This Act deals with the long-term sustainable utilisation of marine living resources and the orderly access to exploitation, utilisation and protection of certain marine living resources in a fair and equitable manner to the benefit of all South African citizens. The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries administers the Act, with the exception of the Boat-based whale watching and protection of turtles regulations and the White shark cage-diving regulations, promulgated in terms of this Act. These regulations are the only remaining environmental provisions left in the Act after the split between Fisheries and Environmental Affairs in 2009.

These regulations are to be repealed by the pending Threatened and Protected Species Regulations in terms of the Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004).

Seabirds and Seals Protection Act (Act 46 of 1973)

1973

Which provides for control over certain islands and rocks for the protection and the control of the capture and killing of seabirds and seals. (To be reviewed in new Oceans legislation)

Dumping at Sea Control Act (Act 73 of 1980)

1980

Which regulates the control of dumping substances at sea. (To be repealed by the Integrated Coastal Management Act on 13 April 2015)

Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989)

1989

To monitor and fulfil its obligations, the Department of Environmental Affairs has passed the following Acts, Regulations and Policies since 1994.

Marine Living Resources Act (Act 18 of 1998)

1998

This Act deals with the long-term sustainable utilisation of marine living resources and the orderly access to exploitation, utilisation and protection of certain marine living resources in a fair and equitable manner to the benefit of all South African citizens. The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries administers the Act, with the exception of the Boat-based whale watching and protection of turtles regulations and the White shark cage-diving regulations, promulgated in terms of this Act. These regulations are the only remaining environmental provisions left in the Act after the split between Fisheries and Environmental Affairs in 2009.

These regulations are to be repealed by the pending Threatened and Protected Species Regulations in terms of the Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2004).

The National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998)

1999

Which provides for the cultural and environmental protection and sustainable development of world heritage sites

South African Weather Service Act (Act 8 of 2001)

2001

Which established the South African Weather Service; determined its objectives, functions and method of work, the manner in which it is to be managed; and governs and regulates its staff matters and financial affairs

The National Environmental Management Amendment Act (Act 56 of 2002)

2002

Which deals with the prohibition, restriction or control of activities that are likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment

Acts

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The National Environmental Management Amendment Act (Act 46 of 2003)

2003

Which deals with compliance and enforcement and provides for environmental management inspectors (EMIs).

The National Environmental Management Amendment Act (Act 46 of 2003) National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003)

2003

Which provides for the protection and conservation of ecologically viable areas. It further provides for the establishment of a national register of protected areas and the proclamation and management of these areas.

The National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004)

2004

Which provides the basis for setting ambient air quality and emission standards and reforms the law regulating air quality by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution and ecological degradation and for securing ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

The National Environmental Management Amendment Act (Act 8 of 2004)

2004

Which streamlines the process of regulating and administering the impact assessment process. Chapter 5 of the Act laid down procedures with which the Minister or MEC, as the case may be, must comply before listing or delisting an activity.

The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004)

2004

Which significantly reforms South Africa’s laws regulating biodiversity. It sets out the mechanisms for managing and conserving South Africa’s biodiversity and its components; protecting species and ecosystems that warrant national protection; the sustainable use of indigenous biological resources; the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting, including indigenous biological resources; and the establishment of the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act (Act 31 of 2004)

2004

Which provides for a national system of protected areas in South Africa as part of a strategy to manage and conserve the country’s biodiversity. A significant part of this act is that the state is appointed as the trustee of protected areas in the country.

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act 24 of 2008)

2008

Which establishes a system of integrated coastal and estuarine management in the Republic; ensures that development and the use of natural resources within the coastal zone is socially and economically justifiable and ecologically sustainable; determines the responsibilities of organs of state in relation to coastal areas; controls dumping at sea and pollution in the coastal zone; and gives effect to South Africa’s international obligations in relation to coastal matters.

The National Environment Laws Amendment Act (Act 44 of 2008)

2008

Which amends the National Environmental Management Act 1998, so as to clarify an uncertainty in the act; authorises the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to designate persons as environmental management inspectors; provides for environmental management inspectors to be regarded as peace officers as contemplated in the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; and amends the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004, so as to substitute Schedule 1 to that act.

The National Environmental Management: Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008)

2008

Which reforms the law regulating waste management in order to protect health and the environment by providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution; provides for national norms and standards for regulating the management of waste by all spheres of government; and provides for the licensing and control of waste management activities.

The National Environmental Management Amendment Act (Act 62 of 2008)

2008

Which empowers the Minister of Minerals and Energy to implement environmental matters in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, in so far as it relates to prospecting, mining, exploration or related activities; aligns environmental requirements in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), 2002 (Act 28 of 2002), with NEMA (1998) by providing for the use of one environmental system and by providing for environmental management programmes; and further regulates environmental authorisations.

The National Environment Laws Amendment Act (Act 14 of 2009)

2009

Which amends the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965, to adjust the penalties provided for in the said act, the Environment Conservation Act, 1989, to adjust the penalties provided for in the said Act.

The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act (Act 15 of 2009)

2009

Which provides for the assignment of national parks, special parks and heritage sites to South African National Parks; makes provision for flight corridors and permission of the management authority to fly over a special national park, national park or heritage site; and provides for the winding up and dissolution of South African National Parks.

National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act (Act 14 of 2013)

2013

Which strengthen the protection and conservation of threatened and protected species as well as indigenous species; and to strengthen the licensing system with respect to these species.

National Environmental Management Laws Second Amendment Act (Act 30 of 2013)

2013

Which provides for the process and procedure to submit environmental implementation plans, environmental management plans and environmental outlook reports; strengthen the implementation of the environmental impact management system.

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The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act (Act 21 of 2014)

2014

Which amends the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPA) so as to transfer the laws on the management of marine protected areas from the Marine Living Resources Act to NEMPA, and to implement the Presidential Proclamation which split the fisheries and environmental management functions in 2009

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Amendment Act (Act 20 of 2014)

2014

Which provides for the establishment of the National Air Quality Advisory Committee; and to provide for the Minister of Environmental Affairs as the licensing authority under certain circumstances

National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act (Act 25 of 2014)

2014

Which provides for the implementation of the One Environmental System in the Republic of South Africa

National Environmental Management: Waste 2014 Amendment Act (Act 26 of 2014)

Which provides for the establishing of the Waste Management Bureau and matters connected therewith

The National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Amendment Act (Act 36 of 2014)

2014

Which amended certain definitions to clarify coastal public property and the ownership of structures erected on and in coastal public property to ensure that coastal public property does not impact on the ownership of assets and operations of other organs of state; expanded the provisions on reclamation; extended the powers of MECs to issue coastal protection notices and coastal access notices; simplified and amended the powers relating to coastal leases; amended the composition of the National Coastal Committee; expanded the powers of delegation by MECs; revised offences and increased penalties; and made textual corrections

Noise control regulations in terms of section 25

1992

Which regulate noise pollution

Regulations regarding waste disposal sites

1994

Which regulate the establishment and operation of landfill sites in the Republic of South Africa

Regulations on the control of vehicles in the coastal zone

2001

The original regulations were made in 2001 and were amended in 2004. The amended regulations centre on imposing a general duty of care on persons using 4x4 vehicles in the coastal zone, as well as a general prohibition on the use of 4x4 vehicles in the coastal zone unless it is a permissible use

Regulations for the Establishment of a Designated National Authority for the Clean Development Mechanisms

2005

Which regulate the establishment of the DNA, powers, duties and administrative matters

Regulations Relating to Identification of Environmental Management Inspectors

2005

Which regulate the issuing of identity cards to environmental management inspectors

Regulations for the Proper Administration of Special Nature Reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites

2005

Which regulate the conservation and management of special nature reserves, national parks and world heritage sites

Regulations Relating to Qualification Criteria, Training and Identification of, and Forms to be used by, Environmental Management Inspectors

2006

Which regulate administrative matters pertaining to the Environmental Management Inspectors

National Plastic Bag Regulation

2006

To address the challenge of plastic bag litter, the former Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism effected new regulations on plastic bags- calling for a ban on all thin plastic bags. The regulations essentially made the provision for thicker, more durable plastic bags compulsory, at a levy of 3 cents (now 6 cents) a plastic bag. The new plastic bags were biodegradable and recyclable, which meant they were more environmentally friendly. The new thickness also made them reusable thereby eliminating waste.

Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations

2007

Which regulate the permit system set out in Chapter 7 of the Biodiversity Act insofar as that system applies to restricted activities involving specimens of listed threatened or protected species, the registration of captive breeding operations, commercial exhibition facilities, game farms, nurseries, scientific institutions, sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities and wildlife traders, the regulation of the carrying out of a specific restricted activity, namely hunting, the prohibition of specific restricted activities involving specific listed threatened or protected species, the protection of wild populations of listed threatened species and the composition and operating procedure of the Scientific Authority

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Regulations

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Bioprospecting, Access and Benefit-Sharing Regulations

2008

While the Biodiversity Act was promulgated in 2004, the regulations relating to Chapter 6 (Bioprospecting, Access and Benefitsharing) and Chapter 7 (Permit System) came into force on 1 April 2008. These regulations further regulate the permit system set out in Chapter 7 of the Biodiversity Act in so far as the system Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989).

Regulations for the prohibition of the use, manufacturing, import and export of asbestos and asbestos containing materials

2008

Which prohibit the use, manufacture, import and export of asbestos and asbestos containing materials

Regulations in connection with the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park

2000

Which seek to ensure that effective measures are taken for the protection, conservation and presentation of the World Heritage Convention values in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park

Regulations for the Establishment of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority

2000

The name Greater St Lucia Wetland Park Authority was later changed to iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.

Regulation for the Proclamation of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape as a World Heritage Site

2007

Regulation for the Proclamation of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape as a World Heritage Site

Regulations for the proper Administration of the Knysna Protected Environment

2009

Which regulate the management of the protected environment in accordance with the Act and the management and protection of the ecological integrity of the protected environment

National Waste Tyre Regulations

2009

The purpose of the legislation is to regulate the management of waste tyres by providing for the regulatory mechanisms. The regulations will apply uniformly in all provinces in South Africa. The regulations place responsibility of managing waste tyres to the producers of the waste, thus bringing into effect the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility

National ambient air standards, 2009

2009

Which provides for national ambient air quality standards for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, benzene, lead and carbon monoxide

Environmental Management Framework Regulations

2010

Which regulate the use of environmental management frameworks (maps and certain information) in the consideration of applications for environmental authorisations in or affecting the geographical areas to which those frameworks apply

National ambient air quality standard for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 micron metres

2012

Which provides for national ambient air quality standard for particulate matter

CITES Regulations

2010

Which regulate the conservation and sustainable utilisation of plants and animals within the Republic in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973

Protected Areas Act: Admission of guilt fines regulations

2011

Which specify the offences in respect of which an admission of guilt fines may be paid

National domestic waste collection standards

2011

Which provide for acceptable, affordable and sustainable waste collection standards

Regulations for the Proper Administration of Nature Reserves

2012

Which sets out the powers and duties of the management authorities as well as management of nature reserves

National waste information regulations,

2012

Which regulate the collection of data and information to fulfil the objectives of the national waste information system

National dust control regulations

2013

Which sets out the normal operating conditions for small boilers subject to the provisions for start-up, soot blowing and incidences of abnormal conditions

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List of waste management activities that have or are likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment

2013

Which sets out the normal operating conditions for small boilers subject to the provisions for start-up, soot blowing and incidences of abnormal conditions.

List of waste management activities that have or are likely to have a detrimental effect on the environment

2013

Which provide for waste activities that require a waste management licence.

Listed activities and associated minimum emission standards

2013

Which provide for the air quality activities and associated emission standards that require an atmospheric emission licence.

Waste classification and management regulations

2013

Which regulate the classification and management of waste in a manner that supports and implements the provisions of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008.

National norms and standards for the assessment of waste for landfill disposal

2013

Which provide for methodology to assess waste for the purpose of disposal to landfill.

National norms and standards for disposal of waste to landfill

2013

Which determine the requirements for the disposal of waste to landfill.

National standards for the extraction, flaring or recovery of landfill gas

2013

Which provide standards for controlling the extraction, flaring or recovery of landfill gas in order to prevent or minimise potential negative impacts on the environment.

National standards for the scrapping and recovery of motor vehicles

2013

Which provide for standards aimed at controlling the scrapping or recovery of motor vehicles in order to prevent or minimise potential negative impacts on the environment.

National norms and standards for the storage of waste

2013

Which provide a uniform approach relating to the management of waste storage facilities; minimum standards for the design and operation of new and existing waste storage facilities and ensure best practice in the management of waste storage facilities.

Declaration of temporary asphalt plants as controlled emitters and establishment of emission standards

2014

Which provide for operating conditions for temporary asphalt plants.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations

2014

Which regulate procedures and criteria, as contemplated in Chapter 5 of NEMA, for the submission, processing, consideration and decision of applications for environmental authorisations of activities and for matters pertaining thereto.

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 1 of 2014

2014

Which identify activities that would require environmental authorisations prior to commencement of that activity and to identify competent authorities (basic assessment).

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Listing Notice 2 of 2014

2014

Which identify activities that would require environmental authorisations prior to commencement of that activity and to identify competent authorities (scoping and environmental impact reporting).

National Appeal Regulations

2014

Which regulates the national procedure relating to the submission, processing and consideration of, a decision on an appeal.

National Exemption Regulations

2014

Which regulates the national process relating to the lodging and processing of an application for exemption.

Regulations to phase-out the use of PCB materials and PCB contaminated materials

2014

Which prescribe requirements for the phase-out of the use of PCB materials and PCB contaminated materials to ensure that impacts or potential impacts on health, well-being, safety and the environment are prevented or minimised; and set time frames in which PCB holders must have completely phased-out the use of PCB materials and PCB contaminated materials and disposed of all PCB waste in their possession.

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Regulations regarding the phasing-out and management of ozone-depleting substances

2014

Which regulate the management and phasing out of the ozone depleting substances.

Alien and invasive species regulations, 2014

2014

Which prescribes monitoring, control and eradication plans, risk assessment framework and the permitting system for the alien and listed invasive species.

National norms and standards for the reme- 2014 diation of contaminated land and soil quality in the Republic of South Africa, 2014

Which provide a uniform approach to determine the contamination status of an investigated area, provide for criteria and method to apply in the assessment of contaminated land and provide minimum standards for assessing environmental protection measures for remediation activities.

Regulations on the Control of use of vehicles in the coastal area

2014

Which regulates the driving of vehicles on beaches These regulations revise and update the 2004 regulations under NEMA and repromulgate the regulations under the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act.

Management of public launch sites in the coastal zone

2014

Which amends the 2004 regulations under NEMA to allow for the listing of public launch sites and their management.

The Consultative Environmental Policy Process (CONNEPP) (1994-1996)

1994

This marked the initial democratisation of environmental governance in South Africa. This policy development process was characterised by high levels of participation by representatives from government, industry, non-governmental organisations, communitybased organisations and the labour movement. It resulted in a framework for sustainable environmental management.

White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

1997

Which provides for a coherent biodiversity policy and strategy for South Africa.

Policies

White Paper on Environmental Management 1997

Environment refers to the conditions and influences under which any individual or thing exists, lives or develops. These conditions and influences include the following: • The natural environment, including renewable and non-renewable natural resources such as air, water, land and all forms of life • The social, political, cultural, economic, working and other factors that determine peoples’ place in, and influence on, the environment • Natural and constructed spatial surroundings, including urban and rural landscapes and places of cultural significance, ecosystems and the qualities that contribute to their value

White Paper on Environmental Management 1998

Which contains the government’s environmental management policy and describes the context in which it has been developed.

Through this policy, government undertakes to give effect to many rights in the Constitution that relate to the environment. The policy furthermore takes ownership of sustainable development as the accepted approach to resource management and utilisation in South Africa, thus entrenching environmental sustainability in policy and practice.

Integrated Policy on Waste Management and Pollution

1998

The 1998 Integrated Policy on Waste Management and Pollution advocated waste minimisation, recycling, treatment and disposal.

The 2001 Polokwane Declaration on Waste Management Working Group 9 built on this commitment to develop a waste management system that would reduce waste by 50% by 2012 and result in zero waste by 2022. Although these principles inform local and provincial integrated waste management plans, the targets have not been achieved.

The Integrated Pollution and Waste Management Policy

2000

Integrated pollution and waste management is a holistic and integrated system and process of management aimed at pollution prevention and minimisation at source, managing the impact of pollution and waste on the receiving environment and remediating damaged environments. The Integrated Pollution and Waste Management policy for South Africa represents a paradigm shift towards pollution prevention and waste minimisation.

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White Paper on Sustainable Coastal Development

2000

Flowing from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 and the call for coastal states to prioritise coastal management issues, South Africa embarked on a comprehensive participatory and consultative process to develop a national policy for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa. The policy was endorsed by Cabinet and published as the White Paper for Sustainable Coastal Development in South Africa in April 2000.

White Paper on National Climate Change Response

2011

The White Paper provide for South Africa’s response measures to climate change.

The National Waste Management Strategy (1998 to 2000)

1998

Which presents government’s strategy for integrated waste management for South Africa

The National Environmental Impact Management Strategy

2009

Develops a strategy that moves from an environmental impact management (EIM) system that is solely reliant on environmental impact assessment (EIA) to a dispensation where use is made of a variety of instruments in an integrated manner.

National Framework Strategy for Sustainable Development

2011

Enhance effective governance, and institutional structures and mechanisms to achieve sustainable development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) goals and targets, and strengthen monitoring and reporting for improved environmental performance by government and the private sector.

2007

Which provides mechanisms, systems and procedures to attain compliance with ambient air quality standards by providing national norms and standards for the control of emissions, as well as air quality monitoring, management planning and information management

Strategies

APPENDIX

Frameworks

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The National Air Quality Management Framework

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- Deputy Minister Barbara Thomson, Department of Environmental Affairs

20 Years of Creating Harmony between the Environment and its People

“ The earth belongs to all, young and old, and requires our joint protection for it to continue to sustain us�