WESSA Groen Sebenza Handbook 2021

Orienting you to Environmental policy frameworks

While it may not be necessary to know all policy verbatim, it is important to understand the frameworks which underpins the work you do in the biodiversity sector. As an intern, this could be a good point of reference for you, particularly as you learn about the policy that shapes the mandate of various organisations.

Here is a summary of South Africa’s environmental policy:

Key international, continental and national policy

Sustainable Development Goals

Agenda 2030

National Development Plan

Social and developmental policies are instrumental in Youth Development initiatives such as internships, bursaries, learnerships etc.

National Environmental Management: Protected Areas (2003)

National Environmental Management Act (1998)

National Environmental Management: Air Quality (2004)

National Youth Service (NYS) Framework (2017)

National Water Act (1998)

National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (2004)

Higher Education Act (1997)

Marine Living resources Act (1998)

National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management (2008)

Integrated Youth Development Strategy (2019)

National Youth Policy (2020)

National Forests Act (1998)

from the constitution

The basis of all RSA policy stems

South African Constitution (1996)

South Africa’s National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2019)

International treaties and agreements influence our policies

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Kyoto Protocol

Read more: www.environment.gov.za

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