PUB2606
Assignment 3
Portfolio
DUE: 19 MAY 2026
, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
PUB2606 – ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
MAY/JUNE 2026
Due Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 20:00
Module Code: PUB2606
Module Name: Environmental Affairs
Public Administration and
Department:
Management
First Examiner: Prof NI Makamu
Second Examiner: Prof C Alers
Total Marks: 100
,Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 3
2. QUESTION 1: TEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA............. 3
2.1 Population Growth .............................................................................................. 3
2.2 Water Scarcity .................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Deforestation ...................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Soil Erosion and Desertification .......................................................................... 5
2.5 Pollution (Air, Water and Soil) ............................................................................. 5
2.6 Loss of Biodiversity ............................................................................................. 6
2.7 Global Warming and Climate Change ................................................................ 7
2.8 Poverty and Environmental Degradation ............................................................ 7
2.9 Urbanisation ........................................................................................................ 8
2.10 Depletion of the Ozone Layer ........................................................................... 8
3. QUESTION 2: FIVE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE ............................................................................ 9
3.1 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) .............................................. 9
3.2 World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED / Brundtland
Commission) ........................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Southern African Development Community (SADC) ......................................... 11
3.4 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ................ 13
3.5 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) .......... 14
4. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 15
5. LIST OF SOURCES ............................................................................................... 15
, 1. INTRODUCTION
The state of the global environment has become one of the most pressing concerns of
the twenty-first century. Southern Africa, as a sub-region characterised by rich
biodiversity, diverse climates and a largely agrarian population, faces a unique and urgent
set of environmental challenges. The interrelationship between people and their
environment means that the degradation of natural and manmade surroundings directly
undermines the quality of life, health and economic welfare of communities (Beale,
1980:20). It is within this context that environmental management has become a critical
function of both national governments and the international community.
This portfolio of evidence addresses two core questions. First, it identifies and critically
discusses ten environmental issues prevalent in Southern Africa, illustrated with practical
examples. Second, it identifies five international organisations that contribute to global
environmental governance and examines their specific roles, also illustrated with practical
examples drawn from the Southern African context.
The discussion is grounded in the PUB2606 study material and is supplemented by
additional academic and policy sources. At least 30% of the content reflects the practical
application of theory, in accordance with the assessment criteria of this module.
2. QUESTION 1: TEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
The global environmental dilemma is not reducible to a handful of isolated incidents. It is
a complex, interconnected web of issues that have developed over centuries as a result
of human activity and have now reached critical levels. Southern Africa is particularly
vulnerable because most of its countries are developing states where poverty, rapid
population growth and limited institutional capacity compound environmental pressures.
The following ten issues represent the most urgent environmental challenges facing the
region.
2.1 Population Growth
Population growth is a primary driver of almost every environmental challenge in Southern
Africa. Growing populations place excessive demands on natural resources such as land,
water, food and energy. The size and density of a population have a direct impact on the
carrying capacity of the environment the extent to which the environment can support life
without irreversible damage (Kirchner et al, 1985:59–60). Africa south of the Sahara
experienced a population growth rate of approximately 105% between 1965 and 1990,
Assignment 3
Portfolio
DUE: 19 MAY 2026
, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
PUB2606 – ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
MAY/JUNE 2026
Due Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 20:00
Module Code: PUB2606
Module Name: Environmental Affairs
Public Administration and
Department:
Management
First Examiner: Prof NI Makamu
Second Examiner: Prof C Alers
Total Marks: 100
,Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 3
2. QUESTION 1: TEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA............. 3
2.1 Population Growth .............................................................................................. 3
2.2 Water Scarcity .................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Deforestation ...................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Soil Erosion and Desertification .......................................................................... 5
2.5 Pollution (Air, Water and Soil) ............................................................................. 5
2.6 Loss of Biodiversity ............................................................................................. 6
2.7 Global Warming and Climate Change ................................................................ 7
2.8 Poverty and Environmental Degradation ............................................................ 7
2.9 Urbanisation ........................................................................................................ 8
2.10 Depletion of the Ozone Layer ........................................................................... 8
3. QUESTION 2: FIVE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE ............................................................................ 9
3.1 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) .............................................. 9
3.2 World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED / Brundtland
Commission) ........................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Southern African Development Community (SADC) ......................................... 11
3.4 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ................ 13
3.5 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) .......... 14
4. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 15
5. LIST OF SOURCES ............................................................................................... 15
, 1. INTRODUCTION
The state of the global environment has become one of the most pressing concerns of
the twenty-first century. Southern Africa, as a sub-region characterised by rich
biodiversity, diverse climates and a largely agrarian population, faces a unique and urgent
set of environmental challenges. The interrelationship between people and their
environment means that the degradation of natural and manmade surroundings directly
undermines the quality of life, health and economic welfare of communities (Beale,
1980:20). It is within this context that environmental management has become a critical
function of both national governments and the international community.
This portfolio of evidence addresses two core questions. First, it identifies and critically
discusses ten environmental issues prevalent in Southern Africa, illustrated with practical
examples. Second, it identifies five international organisations that contribute to global
environmental governance and examines their specific roles, also illustrated with practical
examples drawn from the Southern African context.
The discussion is grounded in the PUB2606 study material and is supplemented by
additional academic and policy sources. At least 30% of the content reflects the practical
application of theory, in accordance with the assessment criteria of this module.
2. QUESTION 1: TEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
The global environmental dilemma is not reducible to a handful of isolated incidents. It is
a complex, interconnected web of issues that have developed over centuries as a result
of human activity and have now reached critical levels. Southern Africa is particularly
vulnerable because most of its countries are developing states where poverty, rapid
population growth and limited institutional capacity compound environmental pressures.
The following ten issues represent the most urgent environmental challenges facing the
region.
2.1 Population Growth
Population growth is a primary driver of almost every environmental challenge in Southern
Africa. Growing populations place excessive demands on natural resources such as land,
water, food and energy. The size and density of a population have a direct impact on the
carrying capacity of the environment the extent to which the environment can support life
without irreversible damage (Kirchner et al, 1985:59–60). Africa south of the Sahara
experienced a population growth rate of approximately 105% between 1965 and 1990,
