The role of good environmental governance in the sustainable development of South Africa

Abstract

The most vocal and forceful opposition to new development has arisen in the mining sector with controversy surrounding the mining of Xolobeni, along the Wild Coast after the Department of Minerals and Energy, now the Department of Mining, granted an Australian company mining rights to a portion of land situated in a highly sensitive coastal marine area. See for example Van der Merwe 2008 www.miningweekly.com 3 Quite a number of challenges relate to filling stations. They include BP Southern

An Analysis of Emissions Reduction Phenomenon in South Africa

“…The right to clean environment and sustainable development contained in Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 will become practicable and realisable through implementation and enforcement (Clemson, 2012). Section 24 of the Constitution also compels everyone to take reasonable steps to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources (Feris, 2010). Given the Constitutional imperatives, this study is viable and needs to be pursed vigorously as the findings will serve as an impetus to reduce carbon emissions making the world a better place to live (Steger et al 2005).…”

Environmental Ethics and Environmental Governance for Security in Africa

“…Government should see it as a moral obligation and aim to foster good behaviours towards nature, while working to eradicate destructive ecological behaviours. Feris (2010) rightly notes with regard to South Africa, environmental problems are also social problems as they directly affect humans, humans who may already be socio-politically disadvantaged. Feris (2010) because of this rightly argues that environmental governance should respond to environmental justice issues; and it is worthy to note that South African law has noted this in the National Environmental Management Act.…”

“…Feris (2010) rightly notes with regard to South Africa, environmental problems are also social problems as they directly affect humans, humans who may already be socio-politically disadvantaged. Feris (2010) because of this rightly argues that environmental governance should respond to environmental justice issues; and it is worthy to note that South African law has noted this in the National Environmental Management Act. Feris (2010) cites Section 2(4) (c) which states:"Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons."…”

“…Feris (2010) because of this rightly argues that environmental governance should respond to environmental justice issues; and it is worthy to note that South African law has noted this in the National Environmental Management Act. Feris (2010) cites Section 2(4) (c) which states:"Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts shall not be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons." The point the paper is making is that this issue of environmental governance is a moral issue.…”

Multilevel Environmental Governance: Vertical and Horizontal Influences in Local Policy Networks

“…For multilevel environmental governance, a study stressed that environmental governance should ensure transparency, accountability, and public participation during the process of decision-making [29]. Sharing decision-making power allows more actors to get involved in resolving environmental problems [30].…”