LEG2601
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, LEG2601
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
You will be penalised for copying and pasting from the study guide or using
Google. You will receive a mark of 0 should you use Artificial Intelligence (AI)
text-generating programmes. Type your answer. No handwritten submissions will
be accepted.
Answer the following question using your own words.
Question:
Section 2 of the National Environmental Management Act of 1998 includes several
sustainable development principles that must be considered when making any
decisions or taking any action in environmental management. Name three
sustainable development principles and give a full description of each.
Precautionary Principle
In Section 2(4)(a)(vii) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA),
mandates that decision-makers adopt a risk-averse and cautious approach when there
is uncertainty about the potential environmental impacts of an activity. This principle
emphasizes that the lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a justification
for delaying measures that prevent environmental harm. In other words, if an action or
policy has the potential to cause significant environmental damage, it is better to take
preventive action even if scientific evidence is inconclusive at the time.
This principle ensures that environmental management strategies are proactive rather
than reactive, aiming to prevent irreversible environmental degradation before it
occurs. It is particularly important in cases where long-term or cumulative
environmental impacts are unknown.
ASSIGNMENT 1
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, LEG2601
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
You will be penalised for copying and pasting from the study guide or using
Google. You will receive a mark of 0 should you use Artificial Intelligence (AI)
text-generating programmes. Type your answer. No handwritten submissions will
be accepted.
Answer the following question using your own words.
Question:
Section 2 of the National Environmental Management Act of 1998 includes several
sustainable development principles that must be considered when making any
decisions or taking any action in environmental management. Name three
sustainable development principles and give a full description of each.
Precautionary Principle
In Section 2(4)(a)(vii) of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA),
mandates that decision-makers adopt a risk-averse and cautious approach when there
is uncertainty about the potential environmental impacts of an activity. This principle
emphasizes that the lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a justification
for delaying measures that prevent environmental harm. In other words, if an action or
policy has the potential to cause significant environmental damage, it is better to take
preventive action even if scientific evidence is inconclusive at the time.
This principle ensures that environmental management strategies are proactive rather
than reactive, aiming to prevent irreversible environmental degradation before it
occurs. It is particularly important in cases where long-term or cumulative
environmental impacts are unknown.
