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NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR PROMOTING SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
To give effect to its Constitutional mandate of protecting the environmental and promoting sustainable development, the department has over a period of time developed comprehensive environmental management legislative/regulatory framework. This regulatory framework, apart from acts of Parliament (environmental laws) and regulations; consists also of policies, norms and standards and other tools.
IN THIS PAGE:
WIDESPREAD CONSERVATION EFFORTS
draft GUIDELINE AND RATIOS TABLE:
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY OFFSET AND RATIOS LOOK-UP
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2021 [PDF - 3.88 MB]
The purpose of this guideline is to indicate when biodiversity offsets are likely to be required as mitigation by any competent authority, to lay down basic principles for biodiversity offsetting and to guide offset practice in the environmental authorisation (EA) application context.
SA'S 2ND NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME
TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION, LAND DEGRADATION AND EFFECTS OF DROUGHT
PUBLISHED 2021 JULY [PDF - 1.74 MB]
The purpose is to identify factors contributing to desertification, land degradation and drought as well as to implement practical measures necessary to combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought.
SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONAL
BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN (NBSAP)
The NBSAP outlines a path to ensure the management of biodiversity assets and ecological infrastructure continue to support South Africa’s development path and play an important role in underpinning the economy.
» 2015 to 2025 | published November 2016 [PDF - 16.51 mb]
» 2005 | published May 2006 [PDF - 1.08 mb]
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK:
SANDVELD (EMF)
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2024 [PDF - 996,05 KB]
This standard identifies Sandveld EMF geographical area and activities excluded from requirement to obtain EA; and provides for rules, guidelines or characteristics commonly and repeatedly used, among others.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PLAN:
EASTERN CAPE
PUBLISHED AUGUST 2007 [PDF - 2.10 MB]
The ECBCP provides land use planning guidelines, recommending biodiversity-friendly activities in priority areas. The ECBCP is intended for use by technical users and decision-makers in the spheres of planning, development and environment.
RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE STRATEGY:
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND EVIDENCE STRATEGY 2015 - 2025
PUBLISHED MARCH 2016 [PDF - 1.17 MB]
This document broadly describes the needs for evidence to support achievement of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and other policy priorities. ThE strategy document is accompanied by an annual implementation plan, which details what evidence is needed in the short to medium term to inform policy decision-making, and medium to long-term evidence that provides foundational knowledge for the sector.
» 2016 to 2017 annual implementation plan | published March 2016 [PDF - 1.26 mb]
ALL REPORTS:
BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLANS (BMPs)
The National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004) provides for development of biodiversity management plans for species. The department developed norms and standards for the development of BMPs. A BMP can be developed for any indigenous or migratory species and the aim is to provide for long-term survival of species in the wild and to provide a platform for an implementing organisation or responsible entity as appointed by the minister to monitor and report on the progress regarding the implementation of the BMP.
» encephalartos latifrons (albany cycad) | published June 2011 [PDF - 2.04 mb]
» pelargonium sidoides (African geranium): 2011 to 2020 | published April 2013 [PDF - 1,795 kb]
MATTERS OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINOCEROS IN SOUTH AFRICA
revised POLICY POSITION
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINO
PUBLISHED MARCH 2024 [PDF – 285 KB]
Each objective in this policy position has associated activities for implementation. By adopting practices that are responsible, legal, sustainable, and promote animal well-being, the implementation of the six policy objectives will transform practices within the wildlife industry that are not conducive to animal wellbeing, and promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in general, and these species in particular. This will enhance South Africa’s position as a megadiverse country and leader in the conservation and sustainable use of these iconic species.
draft BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN (BMP)
FOR BLACK AND WHITE RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis & Ceratotherium simum)
PUBLISHED JUNE 2024 [PDF - 13.80 MB]
The vision of the draft BMP is to ensure that "thriving national herds of wild black and white rhino are valued, promote conservation, and people benefit from their inclusive sustainable use", with the associated goal that will aim to “cooperatively manage a viable, secure and expanding national metapopulation of both species of indigenous rhino in order to contribute to national biodiversity objectives, meet a range of societal values, and advance transformation through inclusive ownership, meaningful participation and broad beneficiation".
AFRICAN RHINO RANGE STATES’
RHINO CONSERVATION PLAN
PUBLISHED APRIL 2016 [PDF - 1.83 MB]
The plan has a similar structure to a number of existing national plans long term setting out a long term continental vision with a life of plan goal target, and then identifying the key components necessary to achieve the goal target and in so doing make progress towards achieving the long term vision. associated key component objectives, actions and KPI’s are identified, specifically highlighting areas where range state cooperation and collaboration is needed. Some potential projects of continental importance were also identified.
STRATEGY FOR RESEARCH:
SOUTH AFRICAN ELEPHANT 2014 - 2024
PUBLISHED MARCH 2015 [PDF - 2.65 MB]
The main objective of this elephant research strategy is to provide a framework that enhances implementation of the norms and standards for the management of elephants in South Africa. The document also aligns the norms and standards with needs defined by the elephant assessment as well as the African elephant action developed under the auspices of the CITES.
STRATEGY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY
OF RHINOCEROS POPULATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2010 [PDF - 2.37 MB]
This strategy has been necessitated by a drastic increase in the number of incidents of rhino (rhino) poaching in the country and the continued leakage of certain horn stocks into the international illegal trade. This has raised concern with conservation bodies, private landowners and attracted international attention including media coverage worldwide, and increased the focus on South Africa at the CITES.
BIODIVERSITY BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND VALUE CHAIN RELATED MATTERS
STRATEGY FOR SOUTH AFRICA:
GAME MEAT
NOVEMBER 2023 [PDF - 5.9 MB]
This report formulates the strategy and implementation plan to expand, differentiate and formalise the Game Meat Industry in South Africa which has shown considerable potential for growth. If developed appropriately, in the context of a biodiversity conservation and sustainable use perspective, this market could contribute favourably to economic development, job creation, food security and sectoral transformation. The vision of the Game Meat Strategy for South Africa is "A formalised and transformed game meat industry in South Africa that supports thriving rural economies and nature, contributes to food security and inclusive socio-economic growth, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, while reducing environmental risks".
NATIONAL RESPONSE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN
TO ADDRESS THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCULENT FLORA
FEBRUARY 2022 [PDF - 1004,34 KB]
The purpose of the strategy is to develop a list of actions to address and manage current challenges posed by illegal harvesting pressures, and to identify key actors that can undertake these actions through national collaborative efforts thereby ensuring conservation of South Africa's rich succulent flora. Objectives relating to succulent flora of arid zone and key actions required to successfully meet objectives have been set out.
GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDERS, USERS AND REGULATORS:
SOUTH AFRICA'S BIOPROSPECTING, ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
JULY 2012 [PDF - 3.60 MB]
The guidelines endeavour to assist different stakeholders to understand legal requirements and their rights. It is important to consult these guidelines when planning to engage in commercial bioprospecting to enhance fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting projects which use indigenous biological resources and their associated TK.
PROTECTED AREAS
NATIONAL STRATEGY
FOR PROTECTED AREAS EXPANSION (NPAES)
PUBLISHED 2018 [PDF - 20.12 MB]
Protected areas are vital for ecological sustainability and adaptation to climate change, serving as nodes in our ecological infrastructure network. This natural infrastructure is largely free, so often unnoticed or under-appreciated, but it is just as important as our extensive built infrastructure network and our social infrastructure for underpinning human livelihoods and wellbeing. In this context, the goal of NPAES is to achieve cost-effective protected area expansion for ecological sustainability and increased resilience to climate change. NPAES highlights ways in which we can become more efficient and effective in allocating scarce human and financial resources available for protected area expansion. It sets targets for protected area expansion, provides maps of the most important areas for protected area expansion, and makes recommendations on mechanisms for protected area expansion.
» NPAES 2008, published May 2010 [PDF - 2.87 mb] | NPAES 2009 resource document, published April 2010 [PDF - 1.75 mb]
SOUTH AFRICAN STRATEGY
FOR BIOSPHERE RESERVE PROGRAMME
PUBLISHED MARCH 2016 [PDF - 2.17 MB]
This strategy focuses on numerous key aspects, some of which are unique to the South African context and considered critical to lifting the Biosphere Reserve Programme to its next level of development and achievements. It is intended not only to improve the sustainability and functioning of the BRs, but also to assist them in developing pathways towards meeting their potential to aid equitable and sustainable development in South Africa. BRs therefore contribute to the government’s national priorities and international commitments, including, but not limited to, the recently agreed upon sustainable development goals. It is envisaged that the implementation of this strategy over the next five years will allow the South African BRP to begin to rise to its potential. This strategy is therefore supported by a separate implementation plan, a related monitoring and evaluation framework and strengthened nomination criteria for new biosphere reserves.
Images and related sources: » South Afrcan National Parks (SANParks) | South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)