, GGH3705 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2026 - DUE 17 August 2026; 100% Correct
solutions and explanations.
Question 1: Comparative Essay
Environmental Screening Processes in South Africa, Botswana and Canada
Introduction
Environmental screening is an important stage in environmental assessment
systems because it determines whether a proposed development activity requires
further environmental investigation and the level of assessment necessary.
Different countries apply different approaches depending on their legal
frameworks, administrative capacity, economic priorities and environmental
governance traditions. This essay compares the environmental screening
processes of South Africa, Botswana and Canada, focusing on whether
screening and scoping are separate or combined processes, the use of project
lists and criteria, responsibility for developing these criteria, and the differences
between environmental assessment approaches in developing and developed
countries.
1. Environmental Screening Process in South Africa
South Africa regulates environmental assessment through the National
Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations. The screening phase is
mainly conducted through identifying whether a proposed activity falls within
listed activities published by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment.
Under South Africa’s system, screening and scoping are generally separate
processes. Screening occurs first when the applicant determines whether the
proposed activity requires environmental authorisation. If the activity is listed
under the regulations, the applicant must undertake either a Basic Assessment
process or a more detailed Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment
(S&EIA) process depending on the nature and significance of the impacts.
Semester 2 2026 - DUE 17 August 2026; 100% Correct
solutions and explanations.
Question 1: Comparative Essay
Environmental Screening Processes in South Africa, Botswana and Canada
Introduction
Environmental screening is an important stage in environmental assessment
systems because it determines whether a proposed development activity requires
further environmental investigation and the level of assessment necessary.
Different countries apply different approaches depending on their legal
frameworks, administrative capacity, economic priorities and environmental
governance traditions. This essay compares the environmental screening
processes of South Africa, Botswana and Canada, focusing on whether
screening and scoping are separate or combined processes, the use of project
lists and criteria, responsibility for developing these criteria, and the differences
between environmental assessment approaches in developing and developed
countries.
1. Environmental Screening Process in South Africa
South Africa regulates environmental assessment through the National
Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations. The screening phase is
mainly conducted through identifying whether a proposed activity falls within
listed activities published by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the
Environment.
Under South Africa’s system, screening and scoping are generally separate
processes. Screening occurs first when the applicant determines whether the
proposed activity requires environmental authorisation. If the activity is listed
under the regulations, the applicant must undertake either a Basic Assessment
process or a more detailed Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment
(S&EIA) process depending on the nature and significance of the impacts.
