Environmental legislation is essential for promoting environmental sustainability, both as a source of guidance and as a source of enforcement. The success of legislation and policies depends on 'policing'  and action at all levels in society, from governmental organisations through to civic engagement and environmental activist groups.

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996): section 24 
provides the overarching legislative foundation for environmental management in South Africa:

Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that 

­i. prevent pollution and ecological degradation;

ii. promote conservation; and

iii. secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

National Environmental Act (107 of 1998):
Primary environmental framework Act in South Africa.

• provides for co-operative environmental governance based on the principles that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her health or well-being, and enabling the administration and enforecement of other environmental management laws

Resources: 

• Biodiversity Act (10 of 2004) support conservation of plant and animal biodiversity including the soil and water upon which it depends.
  
  
• Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003), amended no 31 of 2004 supports conservation of soil, water and biodiversity.
  
  
• Integrated Coastal Management Bill (2008) and amendments supports development and use of natural resources within the coastal zone, that is socially and economically justifiable and ecologically sustainable.
  
  
• Air Quality Act (39 of 2004) 
  
  
• Waste Act (59 of 2008) 
  
  
• National Water Act (36 of 1998)
  
  
• National Forests Act (84 of 1998)
  
  
• Marine Living Resources Act (18 of 1998)
  
  
• Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002)
  
  
• King III Report promotes ethical considerations of socio-economic and environmental concerns through a focus on leadership, sustainability and corporate citizenship.
  
  
• Agenda 21 an international action plan for United Nations, Governments and major groups in areas of human impact on the environment. 

   

   

Last Modified: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 08:27:47 SAST