Land, Air and water

policies

Land

Under the National Environmental Management Act the following guidelines have been published:

In terms of section 6 of National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEMWA), the Minister was required to establish a national waste management strategy for achieving the objects of NEMWA, which must include:

  • objectives, plans, guidelines, systems and procedures relating to the protection of the environment and the generation (including the avoidance and minimisation of such generation), reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment, disposal, use, control and management of waste;
  • mechanisms, systems and procedures for giving effect to South Africa’s obligations in terms of relevant international agreements;
  • practical measures for achieving cooperative governance in waste management matters;
  • guidance on raising awareness regarding the impact of waste on health and the environment;
  • approaches for securing compliance with the requirements of NEMWA, including the monitoring of compliance; and
  • any other matter that the Minister considers necessary for achieving the objects of NEMWA.

You can access the National Waste Management Strategy here.

There are two important strategies under the National Environmental Protected Areas Act: National Protected Area Expansion Strategy and the Biodiversity policy and strategy for South Africa: Strategy on buffer zones for national parks.

Air

Section 7 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) requires the Minister to establish a national framework to achieve the objectives of the Act. This framework must include:

  • Mechanisms, systems, and procedures to ensure compliance with ambient air quality standards.
  • Measures to fulfil South Africa’s obligations under international agreements.
  • National norms and standards for controlling emissions from point and non-point sources.
  • National norms and standards for air quality monitoring.
  • National norms and standards for air quality management planning.
  • National norms and standards for air quality information management.
  • Any additional provisions deemed necessary by the Minister to achieve the objectives of NEMAQA.

Access the National Framework for Air Quality Management here.

Section 9 of NEMAQA also mandates the Minister to establish national standards for ambient air quality. Access the National Ambient Air Quality Standards here.

Water

In terms of section 5 of the National Water Act a national water resource strategy was required to be developed and needed to address:

  • Strategies, objectives, plans, guidelines and procedures and institutional arrangements relating to the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources;
  • Provide for at least:
    • the requirements of the Reserve and identify, where appropriate, water resources from which particular requirements must be met;
    • international rights and obligations;
    • actions to be taken to meet projected future water needs; and
    • water use of strategic importance;
  • Establish water management areas and determine their boundaries;
  • Contain estimates of present and future water requirements;
  • State the total quantity of water available within each water management area;
  • State water management area surpluses or deficits;
  • Provide for inter-catchment water transfers between surplus water management areas and deficit water management areas.

Access the National Water Resource Strategy here.

Section 33 of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (NEMICMA) requires the Minister to develop and publish a National Estuarine Management Protocol. This protocol must:

  • Define a strategic vision and objectives for effective estuary management.
  • Set standards for estuarine management.
  • Provide guidance on managing estuaries and clarify management responsibilities for various stakeholders.
  • Establish minimum requirements for estuarine management plans.
  • Identify the responsible parties for preparing estuarine management plans and outline the process to be followed.
  • Specify the review process for estuarine management plans to ensure compliance with NEMICMA requirements.

Access the National Estuarine Management Protocol here.

Section 44 of NEMICMA requires the Minister to develop and publish a National Coastal Management Programme. This programme must:

  • Serve as a policy directive for integrated coastal management.
  • Promote a unified, coordinated approach to coastal management involving all government levels, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and local communities.

Access the National Coastal Management Programme here.