G african customary law and rights of indigenous peoples. South africa is home to some 24 000 species, around 7% of the worlds vertebrate species, and 5,5% of the worlds known insect species only about half of the latter have been described. Du plessis w and du plessis aa, striking the sustainability balance in south africa in the balance of interests in environmental law in africa, pretoria university law press, 2011, page 4458. Despite the convention on biological diversitys recognition of state sovereignty over genetic. Global climate change is possibly the greatest environmental challenge. South africas environmental laws were created in a time of great hope, when the country was being made anew after the. Our roots stem from seeds sown in downtown johannesburg in 1892. Other areas, such as environmental impact assessment, may not fit neatly into. The immediate reason is that our communities and activists are faced with a commodity boom a new scramble for africa. Include short quotes in the text, using single quotation marks. Em in south africa operates within the framework of integrated environmental management iem but it was discovered during the study that there are not only one set of em principles but a few within south african environmental policy and law.
While sustainability is a global imperative, it also is an activity governed at a domestic level by the interests and resources of each country. Saphira patel of the development bank of southern africa. The constitution says that everyone has the right to a safe and healthy environment. Business lawyers, law firms in south africa for every city. Pages in category environmental law in south africa the following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total. We will, in future, expand this guide to also cover environmental regulatory. South african strategy for the biosphere reserve programme 2016 2020. One of the youngest of the worlds major cities, johannesburg was founded in 1886, following the discovery of gold. The organisation attracts members from an array of different environmentallyrelevant disciplines which results in the ela being an ideal forum. Model air quality management by law for adoption and adaptation by municipalities, g 33342 gon 579 18 june 2010. Article 24, constitution of the republic of south africa. A comprehensive examination of the aspects of south african environmental law. Lloyd vista university, port elizabeth, south africa keywords. The policy framework is based on cooperative governance, in which enforcement of environmental law and policies are the joint responsibilities of national, provincial and local spheres of government.
Environmental law in the south pacific iucn portals. In the last forty years, international environmental law has evolved rapidly, as. It sweeps northwards within 150 km off the west coast between latitudes 15 and 34s, bringing cold. The new south african constitutional dispensation and how it relates to the enforcement of environmental rights has been chosen as a case study. The mineral and petroleum resources development act the mprda is the principal piece of legislation governing all stages of the mining process in south africa. Aug 18, 2018 environmental impact assessment management strategy eiams. African environmental issues minnesota state university. Therefore, emis work closely with the south african police services. It provides a forum for scholars and practitioners from south africa and around the world to reflect on issues of significance locally and internationally. The research fields of the faculty include the international law of the sea and the law. It is located on the east coast of africa between latitudes 1os and 12s and longitudes 30e and. Todays top 183 environmental law jobs in south africa.
Management of agulhas muds marine protected area 42479 gn 796. Although customary law and indigenous law are used as synonyms in south african law, the first is preferred, since it is also the expression used in the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996 hereinafter the constitution. Developmental issues and environmental policy in south africa. The evolution of international environmental law scholarship. In respect of environmental law, stephen has advised clients in regard to environmental impact assessments. Itisaccordingly concluded that,ifmeans aretobefoundfor ensuring adequate mitigation qfenvironmental impactinthe face qfongoing economicdevelopment, itisnecessary to establish ajudicial commission on environmental4falrs advised by,butgiven greaterpowers than,the departments currently. Bryony walmsley of the southern african institute for environmental assessment, south africa, with input from. The vast field covers a broad range of topics in diverse legal settings, such as state bottlereturn laws in the united states. Certain information has also been taken from environmental laws of south africa by p. A very short introduction, gives her top 10 things you should know about environmental law. The short course in environmental law provides you with a comprehensive overview of the fastgrowing and increasingly relevant field of environmental law in south africa. Guidelines for protected areas legislation iucn portals. It also has synergies with related areas of international law like international trade, human rights, international finance, and so on. Our constitution tell us how the state is organised.
May 09, 2017 environmentalists are winning the battle for enforcement of the law. Moving with the times it evolved into a blog and still one of the most highly regarded and influential sources of environmental news serving both south africa, africa and the world. In addition to the material it contains relating to south african legislation on environmental law, a further valuable feature of work is the information it contains regarding multilateral environmental agreements, as well as the. List of court decisions relating to environmental law1 wildlife society of southern africa and others v minister of environmental affairs and tourism 1996 3 sa tks case on environmental law environmental conservation. Evaluating south african environmental impact assessment. Updates for 12 months print and mobile are included in the price. The south african situation is believed to be exemplary when it comes to the enforcement of fundamental freedoms. The institute of marine and environmental law is based within the faculty of law at the university of cape town, recently rated one of the top 200 universities in the world and the highestranked in africa. South african journal of environmental law and policy.
South african common and customary law of intestate. Evaluating south african environmental impact assessment eia processes in the context of the gautrain project dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the master of laws degree llm in the school of law, faculty of commerce, law and management. A member of the south african police service has all the powers of an emi in respect of an offence under nema or a specific environmental management act section 310, nema. South african journal of environmental law and policy style. Environmental law in south africa is a subscription based product including both the printed looseleaf and lexismobile publications. Health, safety and environmental law society of south africa. Ggazette, rgregulation gazette, bnboard notice, gengeneral notice, gongovernment notice, pproclamation wwarrant. Environmental impact assessment regulations and listing notices amendments, g 33411 gon 660 02 july 2010. Environmental right in terms of the constitution african. South african journal of environmental law and policy onlin.
Marine and environmental law, university of cape town, south africa. Republic of south africa, 19965 constitution enshrines an environmental right which states e veryone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. Environmental law enterprises university of pretoria. Welcome to the official south african government online site. The section provides a mandate on the state to ensure environmental protection and ecologically sustainable development. The common law in south africa traditionally focuses on the private rights of legal persons while environmental law aims at executing the public interest in environmental health. Parts of this chapter have been substantially adapted from environmental law in south africa by prof. Domestic en vironmental laws of all countries, south africa included, have been profoundly influenced by international law. The organisation attracts members from an array of different environmentallyrelevant disciplines which results in the ela being an ideal forum for networking and the sharing of information and. Environmental law is a relatively new and exciting field in which to work, having evolved rapidly over the last thirty years. There are severe criticisms and perceptions of inadequacy about the success of the current eia system as a tool for environmental impact management.
Admitted as an attorney of the high court of south africa stephen has 32 years of experience in various areas of litigation, dispute resolution and environmental law. Environmental law and policy reform surrounding packaging waste management in south africa more less scholars from emerging economies are faced with critical shortages o f material pertaining to laws and policies on packaging waste management, particularly insights on their successful implementation or lack o f it thereof. South africa robyn is an attorney and has 20 years of legal experience in advising south africas government and foreign governments, business, ngos and international organisations on the development and implementation of effective policy and legislative frameworks in the fields of environmental, water and sustainable development law and. Environmental governance at the local government sphere in.
It is intended to provide a selective overview of certain aspects of environmental law in south africa and to answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding environmental law in a transactional context. Crew member, operations manager, environmental manager and more on. South africa developed its hazardous waste management law, the government conducted. A related but distinct set of regulatory regimes, now strongly influenced by environmental legal principles, focus on the management of specific natural resources, such as forests, minerals, or fisheries. Environmental management act 107 of 1998 and s 32 of the constitution of the republic of south africa, 1996. Statistics available on the aquatic environment in mozambique. This topic contains articles related to energy law and environmental law, spanning from oil and gas, to renewable and alternative energy, environmental protection laws, carbon tax, as well as legislation, regulatory bodies, cases, and recent developments in those fields. Addressing fragmentation in the south african renewable. Acts and regulations department of environmental affairs. Application for mandamus compelling state to comply with its obligations to protect environment imposed by statute. It will be south africa s third attempt to do so since 1994. Management of south west indian seamount marine protected area 42479 gn 795 23 may 2019 national environmental management. Proposed regulations for the control of import and export of waste. Sabonet southern african botanical diversity network.
Request for information made between dates of promulgation of promotion of access to information act 2 of 2000 and its coming into operation. Government condemns any form of violence against women and children read more. South african environmental law encompasses natural resource conservation and utilization, as well as landuse planning and development. Minister for environmental affairs first appellant department of environmental affairs second appellant and aquarius platinum sa pty limited first respondent minister of water and sanitation second respondent directorgeneral.
This publication examines the emerging yet complex body of south african environmental laws. A practical crossborder insight into environment and climate change law. Gauteng conservation plan planning for biodiversity. The module is informed by transformative teaching and learning principles and incorporates various. The purpose of these regulations is to establish procedures and control regimes for the import, export and transit of waste. Environmental law is a collective term encompassing aspects of the law that provide protection to the environment. Partnering with african ngos and governments, eli helps draft and advance pragmatic and effective environmental laws and policies, analyzes and identifies options to improve the implementation of existing environmental law, and builds the capacity of local institutions and citizens. The constitution is the supreme highest law of south africa. An environmental lawyer is an attorney that focuses on litigation having to do with a broad range of environmental concerns. Environmental 4fairs ishamstrung byinterdepartmentalrivalry. South africa has signed and ratified certain important international agreements that aim to protect the environment. Environmental policy, south africa, development, natural resource, business strategy contents 1.
South african environmental law describes the legal rules in south africa relating to the social, economic, philosophical and jurisprudential issues raised by attempts to protect and conserve the environment in south africa. Sabinet south african journal of environmental law and. This position paper is an invitation to build stronger solidarity in support of environmental justice in southern africa. Environmental law in south africa has been strengthened by the inclusion of an environmental right in terms of section 24 of the constitution.
Nema south africa national environmental management act. Certification standard is adopted in south africa, there is a local initiative for an additional certification system south african national forestry assurance scheme. Evaluating south african environmental impact assessment eia. The text examines the growing public concern regarding environmental problems and the legal issues surrounding it. Water supply and sanitation in south africa one of southern africa s biggest issues is the lack of clean water. Manual on compliance with and enforcement of multilateral. The dynamic and thoughtprovoking course focuses on the national environmental management act of 1998 and various specific environmental management acts that. South african environmental law encompasses natural resource conservation and utilization, as well as landuse planning. Environmentalists are winning the battle for enforcement of. Since 1999, elis africa program has worked to strengthen environmental law, policy, and management in africa. Environmental laws and legislation in south africa all current and past environmental legislation for the republic of south africa. Environmental legislation and institutional framework. Health, safety and environmental law society of south africa, parkview, gauteng, south africa. Constitutional court of south africa case cct 10215 in the matter between.
Environmental impact assessment management strategy eiams. During the past ten years of democracy in south africa, administrative law,1 and administrative justice,2 has become increasingly important in the realm of environmental law. The module is designed to cover the principles of environmental law and to equip students with skills, knowledge and attitudes to apply the law relating to the environment in practice and to solve problems relating to environmental law. Deat 2005 environmental assessment of traderelated agreements and policies in south africa, integrated environmental management information series 18, department of environmental affairs and tourism deat, pretoria isbn 0958472947 page 1 environmental assessment of traderelated agreements and policies in south africa. The ela environmental law association south africa is a nonprofit organisation with its main objective to promote and assist in the development and application of environmental law in south africa. South africas existing environmental laws stem from the. Fragmentation in the south african renewable energy governance framework 2.
Johannesburg, city, gauteng province, south africa, that is the countrys chief industrial and financial metropolis. For the waste sector in south africa this means care must be given to raw material use, product design, resource efficiency, waste prevention, and minimization where avoidance is impossible. Good practices from africa, central asia and asean countries. International environmental law and global public health. Solidarity for environmental justice in southern africa. Africa expert meeting on enforcement of environmental law. Our practice areas include employment, litigation, construction, tax and exchange control, corporatecommercial, transaction advisory, real estate, private equity, and more. Access and benefitsharing in the wake of cbd cop10. Practical guidance environmental law allows you to acquire an understanding of the latest south african environmental legislation and general obligations, thereby providing clarity and relevant resources surrounding the laws that regulate the impact of human activities on the environment. Establishing a solid framework called the environmental impact assessment management strategy eiams has been some time in the making. Hie, what are the important pieces of legislation which will need to be taken into consideration with a nationwide railway development in sa.
According to the united nations convention on climate change on south africa in 2000, the water around africa is unevenly distributed, meaning that 60% of the water is situated in only 20% of the land. Environmental and developmental rights in the southern african development community with specific reference to the democratic republic of congo and the republic of south africa by kihangi bindu submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of doctor of laws at the university of south africa promoter. Environmental law, principles, policies, directives, and regulations enacted and enforced by local, national, or international entities to regulate human treatment of the nonhuman world. The institute of marine and environmental law is based within the faculty of law at the university of cape town, recently rated one of the top 200 universities in the world and the highestranked in africa the research fields of the faculty include the international law of the sea and the law relating to biodiversity conservation, coastal zone management, land use, water resources, fisheries. National environmental health norms and standards for premises and acceptable monitoring standards for environmental health practitioners.
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