ARTICLE · 28 NOVEMBER 2012

Environment - South Africa

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The main statutory provision relating to the environment is section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act (Constitution) (No. 106 of 1996) (environmental right), which is stated as the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being.

South AfricaEnvironment

Busani Dhladhla

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Environmental regulatory framework

1. What are the key pieces of environmental legislation and the regulatory authorities in your jurisdiction?

The main statutory provision relating to the environment is section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act (Constitution) (No. 106 of 1996) (environmental right), which is stated as the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being. To achieve this right the Constitution also provides that government must take reasonable legislative and other measures to (section 24(b), Constitution):

Prevent pollution and ecological degradation.
Promote conservation.
Secure ecologically sustainable development.

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