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HES4809
Assignment 1
2024
(608044) -
DUE 31 May
2024
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
, HES4809 Assignment 1 2024 (608044) - DUE 31 May 2024
Question1
Which key components of the South African legislation would you
change/amend to improve environmental management? Give detailed reasons
for your answer. (20 Marks)
Key Areas for Improvement in South African Environmental Legislation
South Africa boasts a robust legal framework for environmental protection.
However, there's always room for improvement. Here are two key areas where
legislative changes could significantly enhance environmental management:
1. Enforcement and Compliance:
• Reason for Change: Current legislation often faces challenges in
enforcement. Weak penalties and a backlog of environmental cases can lead
to polluters viewing environmental regulations as a minor cost of doing
business.
• Possible Amendments:
o Increase fines for non-compliance, especially for repeat offenders.
o Establish environmental courts with dedicated judges to expedite case
processing.
o Empower communities to hold polluters accountable through
improved access to environmental justice mechanisms.
2. Public Participation and Transparency:
• Reason for Change: While some legislation mandates public participation,
the processes can be complex and inaccessible to many citizens.
Transparency in decision-making is also crucial for building trust.
• Possible Amendments:
o Simplify public participation processes and provide resources to
translate complex environmental information into accessible formats.
o Mandate the public disclosure of environmental impact assessments
(EIAs) and encourage open forums for public comment.
HES4809
Assignment 1
2024
(608044) -
DUE 31 May
2024
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
, HES4809 Assignment 1 2024 (608044) - DUE 31 May 2024
Question1
Which key components of the South African legislation would you
change/amend to improve environmental management? Give detailed reasons
for your answer. (20 Marks)
Key Areas for Improvement in South African Environmental Legislation
South Africa boasts a robust legal framework for environmental protection.
However, there's always room for improvement. Here are two key areas where
legislative changes could significantly enhance environmental management:
1. Enforcement and Compliance:
• Reason for Change: Current legislation often faces challenges in
enforcement. Weak penalties and a backlog of environmental cases can lead
to polluters viewing environmental regulations as a minor cost of doing
business.
• Possible Amendments:
o Increase fines for non-compliance, especially for repeat offenders.
o Establish environmental courts with dedicated judges to expedite case
processing.
o Empower communities to hold polluters accountable through
improved access to environmental justice mechanisms.
2. Public Participation and Transparency:
• Reason for Change: While some legislation mandates public participation,
the processes can be complex and inaccessible to many citizens.
Transparency in decision-making is also crucial for building trust.
• Possible Amendments:
o Simplify public participation processes and provide resources to
translate complex environmental information into accessible formats.
o Mandate the public disclosure of environmental impact assessments
(EIAs) and encourage open forums for public comment.
