LEG2601
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 25 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, 2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
Environmental Governance and the Main Aspects of Governance
Environmental governance refers to the formal and informal processes, structures,
institutions, and mechanisms that regulate how human activities impact the
environment. It is a core element of sustainable development and environmental
protection, as it seeks to manage the use of natural resources in a way that is fair,
effective, and responsible. This form of governance ensures that multiple
stakeholders—including the state, private sector, civil society, and local
communities—participate in shaping environmental outcomes. The concept extends
beyond governmental control to include a collaborative approach where decision-
making is shared among various actors to achieve common environmental goals.
Environmental governance can be broadly defined as the collection of rules,
practices, policies, and institutions that shape how humans interact with the
environment.1 These interactions encompass the management of natural resources,
biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and sustainable land use planning.
Environmental governance aims to influence human behaviour by aligning actions
with public environmental interests such as clean air, water, and biodiversity
preservation.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, environmental
governance involves not only governmental institutions but also businesses,
communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), all working together to
ensure environmental protection.2 The purpose is to create collectively binding
decisions to regulate access to and the use of natural resources in ways that serve
both current and future generations. It recognises the environment as a public good
that requires collective responsibility for its management.
In South Africa, environmental governance is closely linked to section 24 of the
Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not
harmful to their health or well-being, and mandates the state to take reasonable
1
Van Wyk, A. M. A., & Raubenheimer, E. (2021). Legal aspects of environmental management (Study
guide LEG2601, 2021–2026). University of South Africa, p. 87.
2
Ibid., p. 90.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 25 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, 2 ESSAYS PROVIDED
Environmental Governance and the Main Aspects of Governance
Environmental governance refers to the formal and informal processes, structures,
institutions, and mechanisms that regulate how human activities impact the
environment. It is a core element of sustainable development and environmental
protection, as it seeks to manage the use of natural resources in a way that is fair,
effective, and responsible. This form of governance ensures that multiple
stakeholders—including the state, private sector, civil society, and local
communities—participate in shaping environmental outcomes. The concept extends
beyond governmental control to include a collaborative approach where decision-
making is shared among various actors to achieve common environmental goals.
Environmental governance can be broadly defined as the collection of rules,
practices, policies, and institutions that shape how humans interact with the
environment.1 These interactions encompass the management of natural resources,
biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and sustainable land use planning.
Environmental governance aims to influence human behaviour by aligning actions
with public environmental interests such as clean air, water, and biodiversity
preservation.
According to the United Nations Development Programme, environmental
governance involves not only governmental institutions but also businesses,
communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), all working together to
ensure environmental protection.2 The purpose is to create collectively binding
decisions to regulate access to and the use of natural resources in ways that serve
both current and future generations. It recognises the environment as a public good
that requires collective responsibility for its management.
In South Africa, environmental governance is closely linked to section 24 of the
Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to an environment that is not
harmful to their health or well-being, and mandates the state to take reasonable
1
Van Wyk, A. M. A., & Raubenheimer, E. (2021). Legal aspects of environmental management (Study
guide LEG2601, 2021–2026). University of South Africa, p. 87.
2
Ibid., p. 90.
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
