3 Environmental legislation applicable in south africa and ecercised by different levels of government
Answers
Answer::
Environmentally socio-economic, economic, philosophical, and jurisprudential issues raised by environmental protection and conservation efforts in South Africa are outlined in South African environmental law. The environmental legislation in South Africa covers conservation and usage of natural resources, as well as the planning and development of land use. The problems of regulation and the international aspect that have influenced a great deal of the environmental legislation direction in South Africa are also discussed.
Explanation
The 1996 Constitution (Constitution) is the all-encompassing Statute of the Republic of South Africa. Paragraph 24 of the Constitution establishes the right to an environment which is not hazardous to humans well-being & health, & calls on the Govt to take measure & other actions to:
Prevent pollution and ecological degradation.
Promoting conservation.
Securing "ecologically sustainable development".
Using natural resources while promoting justifiable social & economic development.
To this end, several important legislation (and relating regulations) have been enacted comprising:
"Hazardous Substances Act,1989".
"Mineral & Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002".
"National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)".
"National Environmental Management: Air Quality, 2004".
"National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004".
"National Environmental Management: Protected Areas, 2003"
"National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008".
"National Water Act, 1998".
NEMA plays a crucial role in maintaining effective environmental policy by:
Establishing decision-making principles on environmental issues matters.
Establish institutions supporting cooperative governance and approaches used by state agencies to manage environmental functions.
Apart from that any matter that is related in the legislation laid by the Constitution
Key environmental regulatory authorities include the:
"Department of Mineral Resources (DMR)".
"Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)".
"Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)".
All government branches and all state institutions will collaborate, communicate and support each other on environmental issues .....