Environment

South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 Environment

South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 173 Environment Environment

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) aim to make interventions to ensure environ- is mandated to give effect to the right of citizens mental sustainability and resilience to future to an environment that is not harmful to their shocks. health or well-being, and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future Legislation and policies generations. To this end, the department provides The framework within which the department leadership in environmental management, fulfils its mandate is guided by a number of conservation and protection towards sustain- policies and legislation: ability for the benefit of South Africans and the • The National Environmental Management Act global community. (Nema), 1998 (Act 107 of 1998); the National Strategies are therefore in place to: Environmental Management Amendment Act, • ensure that the department has optimal 2003 (Act 46 of 2003); the National Environ- capacity to deliver services efficiently and mental Management Amendment Act, 2004 effectively (Act 8 of 2004); the National Environment • ensure that South Africa’s environmental Laws Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 44 of 2008); assets are conserved, valued, sustainably the National Environmental Management used, protected and continually enhanced Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 62 of 2008), and for the benefit of both current and future the National Environment Laws Amendment generations Act, 2009 (Act 14 of 2009) establish the • enhance socio-economic benefits and concepts of participatory, cooperative and employment creation in a safe, clean and developmental governance in environmental healthy environment for both present and management, as well as principles for future generations environmental management and provides for • provide leadership in environmental structures to facilitate these. management, conservation and protection • The National Environmental Management: towards sustainability for the benefit of both Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), 2004 (Act 10 of current and future generations 2004), reformed South Africa’s laws regulating • manage the interface between the environment biodiversity. It sets out the mechanisms for and development to encourage the transfor- managing and conserving South Africa’s mation of the development trajectory to an biodiversity and its components; protecting environmentally sustainable, inclusive, low species and ecosystems that warrant national carbon and green economic growth path protection; the sustainable use of indigenous • promote compliance with environmental biological resources; the fair and equitable legislation, and act decisively against sharing of benefits arising from bioprospecting, transgressors including indigenous biological resources; • develop and facilitate the implementation of and the establishment of the South African a climate change adaptation and mitigation National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). regulatory framework • The National Environmental Management: • facilitate the transition to an environmentally Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act 57 of 2003) sustainable, job creating and low carbon, provides for the protection and conservation of green development pathway through the ecologically viable areas, the establishment of Green Fund and environmental projects in the a national register of protected areas, as well Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) as the proclamation and management of these • improve the provision of quality waste- areas. management services across the country • The National Environmental Management: with clear environmental health benefits Protected Areas Amendment Act, 2009 (Act 15 for communities, particularly those with no of 2009) provides for the assignment of previous access to waste-management national parks, special parks and heritage sites services. to South African National Parks (SANParks). The medium-term policy focus of the DEA is on • The National Environmental Management: job creation and sustainable development. The Protected Areas Amendment Act, 2004 National Development Plan (NDP) aims to create (Act 31 of 2004) provides for a national five million jobs by 2030, and the department system of protected areas in South Africa as will contribute to this aim by creating jobs in the part of a strategy to manage and conserve the environment sector. country’s biodiversity. The department’s sustainable development • The National Environmental Management: work over the medium term supports the NDP’s Air Quality Act (AQA), 2004 (Act 39 of 2004)

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reforms the law regulating air quality to protect • Draft notice on the declaration of small boilers as the environment by providing reasonable controlled emitters published for public comment. measures for the prevention of pollution • Draft national dust control regulations and ecological degradation and for securing published for public comment. ecologically sustainable development. • Under section 62 of the NEMBA of 2004, the • The National Environmental Management: summary of the non-detriment findings made Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 by the Scientific Authority published for public (Act 24 of 2008) establishes a system of comment. integrated coastal and estuarine management • The Biodiversity Management Plan for in the country, ensuring socially and environ- Pelargonium sidoides. mentally responsible development and use. • Under section 97 of the NEMBA of 2004, the • The National Environmental Management: Regulations related to listed Threatened or Waste Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) reforms the Protected Species were published for public law regulating waste management to protect comment. health and the environment. • The National Environmental Management • The World Heritage Convention Act, 1999 Laws Amendment Act, 2013 (Act 14 of 2013). (Act 49 of 1999) provides for the cultural and • The National Environmental Management: environmental protection and sustainable Air Quality Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 20 of development of, and related activities in a 2014). world heritage site. • The National Environmental Management: • South African Weather Service (SAWS) Waste Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 26 of 2014). Act, 2001 (Act 8 of 2001). • The National Environmental Management: • Sea Shores Act, 1935 (Act 21 of 1935). Protected Areas Amendment Act, 2014 (Act • Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act, 1973 21 of 2014). (Act 46 of 1973). • In terms of section 97 of the NEMBA of 2004, • Dumping at Sea Control Act, 1980 (Act 73 of the Draft Regulations for the Registration of 1980). Professional Hunters, Hunting Outfitters and • Sea Fishery Act, 1988 (Act 12 of 1988). Trainers were published for public participation. • Antarctic Treaties Act, 1996 (Act 60 of 1996). The Waste Classification and Management • Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act 18 of Regulations and the Norms and Standards for 1998). the Assessment of Waste for Landfill and the • Prince Edward Islands Act, 1948 (Act 48 of Norms and Standards for the Disposal of Waste 1948). to Landfill were published. • The National Environmental Management: Waste Amendment Act, 2014 (Act 449 of 2014) Budget and funding Other policy frameworks include: In the 2015/16 financial year, the DEA • The White Paper on National Climate Change spent R5 937 920 of the total allocation of Response, 2011. R5 943 297, which presents a 99,9% total • The White Paper on Integrated Pollution and spending. Waste Management, 2000. An amount of R103 million for the period • The White Paper on Environmental Manage- of 2014/15 to 2016/17 has been allocated to ment, 1998. SANParks to combat rhino poaching. This is • The White Paper on Conservation and in addition to other financial assistance that Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, 1997. SANParks has and continues to receive from • The White Paper for Sustainable Coastal private-sector organisations. Development in South Africa, 2000. An amount of R12,1 million was allocated in The following legislation was amended or pending 2015/16 for the repair of infrastructure damaged promulgation: by natural disasters at the Kruger National Park • Draft regulations on the format of the atmospheric in both Limpopo and Mpumalanga. impact report. Both job creation and sustainable development • Draft notice on the amendment of the national are largely funded through the Environmental list of activities, which result in atmospheric Programmes programme. The aim is to create emissions which have or may have a significant jobs by increasing investment in climate resilient, detrimental effect on the environment, including low carbon, sustainable development. health, social, economic and ecological The programme had an allocation of conditions or cultural heritage published for R2,947 billion during 2015/16 and an allocation public comment. of R11,8 billion over the medium term,

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accounting for 62,4% of the department’s total of the desired emission reduction outcomes allocation. The department aims to create 107 for the energy, industry, transport, agriculture 193 full-time equivalent jobs and 224 643 work and forestry, and waste sectors will provide opportunities through EPWPs over the medium a regulatory framework to improve ambient term, reflected in increased expenditure in the air quality. Spending for this is in the Climate Environmental Programmes programme. Change and Air Quality programme, and is As the department has an ongoing duty expected to increase by 7,7% over the medium to promote the environmental legal regime, term. so enforcement and compliance are integral Transfers to the SAWS will increase to departmental activities. R570 million over the medium term to The department deploys inspectors mainly strengthen the meteorological operational at points of entry and exit, but also across the capacity of the entity, and to ensure air pollution country. Increases in the department’s personnel emissions are constantly monitored in terms of to 2 124 by 2017/18 are mainly for increased the AQA of 2004. enforcement and compliance capacity, and to combat rhino poaching. Compensation of International environment days employees is expected to reach R1 billion by World Environment Day 2017/18, accounting for 15,9% of the depart- As part of the Environment Month calendar of ment’s budget. events, the Department hosted and celebrated In addition, the department’s oceans economy the 2015 World Environment Day in Kimberley, development strategy has the potential to Northern Cape. The DEA partnered with the contribute up to R26 billion to GDP and create Northern Cape to celebrate the day – marked 55 000 direct jobs by 2019, initially through annually on 5 June – under the theme “Seven aquaculture, marine transport, offshore oil and Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with gas exploration. The strategy contributes to the Care”. first phase of implementing Operation Phakisa, The theme, which was declared by the namely unlocking the economic potential of United Nations (UN) Environment Programme South Africa’s oceans. (UNEP), centred on the well-being of humanity, Operation Phakisa is government’s initiative, the environment, and the functioning of the announced in June 2014, to speed up delivery on economy, which ultimately depend upon the some of the priorities of the NDP. The implemen- responsible management of the planet’s natural tation of the oceans economy development resources. strategy over the medium term is reflected in World Environment Day was established the 17,3% increase in the Ocean and Coast in 1972 by the UN General Assembly at the programme budget to R1,5 billion. Stockholm Conference on Human Environment In addition, funding of R296 million is reprior- to present an opportunity for everyone to itised from SANParks to fund the strategy, realise their responsibility to become agents of due to slow spending and the accumulation of change. The day is to create, educate and raise surpluses in that entity. This is reflected in the awareness on environmental conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation programme. The department will be supporting World Oceans Day (WOD) sustainable development over the medium term The 2015/16 WOD event was held on 8 June by, among other interventions, expanding land 2015 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The under conservation (towards the international purpose of this event is to raise awareness about target of 17% of the country’s land area by the significance of the marine environment and 2020), rehabilitating degraded ecosystems and to also promote the role of the oceans and the identifying environmentally significant areas importance of conserving and protecting the where mining activities are to be restricted, thus marine environment. ensuring the sustainable exploitation of natural WOD was celebrated under the UNEP’s resources. These activities are funded in the theme: “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet”. The Biodiversity and Conservation programme, DEA has strategically customised the theme which is allocated over R2 billion or 10,8% of to “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet: Enabling the departmental budget over the medium term. Sustainable Ocean Economy Development,” as The department will also be focusing on the a way to highlight government’s commitment to prevention and elimination of air pollution. The sustainable ocean economy through Operation number of air quality monitoring stations will Phakisa. increase to 105 by 2017/18. The finalisation

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Bioregions of South Africa

Northwest Fynbos Bioregion Southern Namib Desert Bioregion

Southwest Fynbos Bioregion Gariep Desert Bioregion

Southern Fynbos Bioregion Bushmanland Bioregion

South Coast Fynbos Bioregion Upper Karoo Bioregion

Western Fynbos-Renosterveld Bioregion Lower Karoo Bioregion

Eastern Fynbos-Renosterveld Bioregion Drakensberg Grassland Bioregion

West Coast Renosterveld Bioregion Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion

East Coast Renosterveld Bioregion Mesic Highveld Grassveld Bioregion

Karoo Renosterveld Bioregion Sub-Escarpment Grassland Bioregion

Namaqualand Cape Shrublands Bioregion Central Bushveld Bioregion

Dry Highveld Grassland Bioregion Mopane Bioregion

West Strandveld Bioregion Lowveld Bioregion

Richtersveld Bioregion Sub-Escarpment Savanna Bioregion

Namaqualand Hardeveld Bioregion Eastern Kalahari Bushveld Bioregion

Namaqualand Sandveld Bioregion Kalahari Dunneveld Bioregion

Knersvlakte Bioregion Albany Thicket

Trans-Escarpment Succulent Karoo Bioregion Indian Ocean Coastal Belt

Rainshadow Valley Karoo Bioregion

Source: Vision Endangered Wildlife Trust Seventeenth Annual

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World Day to Combat Desertification National Strategy for Sustainable (WDCD) Development (NSSD) On 17 June 2016, South Africa joined other Following the World Summit on Sustainable nations around the world in celebrating the Development held in South Africa in 2002, the WDCD under the theme “Inclusive cooperation then departments of Environmental Affairs and for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality”. Tourism and Foreign Affairs were mandated The slogan for the day, “Protect Earth. Restore to formulate the NSSD. The first phase of Land. Engage People” addresses the importance this process culminated in the adoption of of comprehensive participation and cooperation the National Framework for Sustainable in working towards achieving land degradation Development (NFSD) in 2008. neutrality. To remain within the prevailing and flexible context, the NFSD strategic priorities were Marine Week reformulated to form the NSSD. The NSSD builds On 5 October 2015, South Africa launched the on the NFSD and a number of existing initiatives celebration of the Marine Week in Polokwane, by business, government, NGOs, academia and Limpopo. other key role players to address sustainability It was the first time the celebration was issues in South Africa. taken to an inland location with the objective The goals of the NSSD are to: to create awareness of the oceans and coastal • develop and promote new social and economic environment in order to promote sustainable use goals based on ecological sustainability and and conservation for the benefit of present and build a culture that recognises that socio- future generations. economic systems are dependent on and The campaign was celebrated under the embedded within ecosystems; theme: “Oceans 70/20: Decoding Mysteries, • increase awareness and understanding of Maximising Opportunities.” Oceans are often the value of ecosystem services to human mysterious, unexplored and full of wonder. well-being; • ensure effective integration of sustain- ability concerns into all policies, planning and decision making at national, provincial and Important dates on the world’s local levels; environmental calendar • to ensure effective integration and collabo- ration across all functions and sectors; 2 February World Wetlands Day • to monitor, evaluate and report performance 20 March Earth Day and progress in respect of ecological sustain- 22 March World Water Day ability. 23 March World Meteorological Day Mining and Biodiversity Guideline 27 March Earth Hour The Mining and Biodiversity Guideline: 22 April Earth Day Mainstreaming Biodiversity into the Mining 22 May International Day for Marine Sector, launched in May 2013, is a product of Biological Diversity the collaboration between the South African Mining and Biodiversity Forum, the DEA and the 5 June World Environment Day Department of Mineral Resources. The guideline 8 June World Oceans Day seeks to find a balance between economic 17 June World Day to Combat Deserti- growth and environmental sustainability and fication is a key outcome of the Outcome 10 Delivery Agreement. 5 – 11 September World Water Week The Life: State of Biodiversity Report is 16 September International Day for the Protec- symbolic of the culmination of 100 years of tion of the Ozone Layer science in assessing biological resources and 18 September International Coastal Clean-up highlighting the status of water resources in the Day country. 22 September World Car-Free Day The key points in the report are: • Dynamite in a small package: wetlands, which 5 October World Habitat Day make up only a little over 2% of the country’s 11 December International Mountain Day footprint, perform irreplaceable functions, such as purifying water and slowing down flood

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waters. Many wetlands have already been in the long term, which can then better support lost; of those which remain, nearly half are human activities. Scientists have drawn up a endangered. new national map, which identifies areas that • Protect water factories: areas with high are important for climate change resilience natural runoff, such as the Drakensberg, the and need to be kept intact. Soutpansberg and the Wolkberg in Limpopo • Protecting natural medicines: South Africa gather and channel the water, which the has over 2 000 plant species that are used for semi-arid country depends on. Only about a medicinal purposes, about a third of which are fifth of these areas are formally protected. traded commercially; some are threatened. • Treasure the small tributaries: all those • A bridgehead against invasion: invasive alien smaller rivers, which feed into the country’s plants increased their footprint in South Africa main, arteries such as the Orange and in about a decade. The country loses about the Vaal rivers, are needed to keep water R6.5 billion worth of ecosystem services to supplies in good health. them each year. • Paving over the coast: nearly a fifth of the • Having the right tools for the job: scientists coastline has some form of development within have made great strides in mapping and 100 m of the shoreline, which means nature’s classifying South Africa’s ecosystems. This buffers against storm surges and rising seas has provided the foundation for meaningful may have been stripped away and paved over assessment, planning and monitoring of in parts. This puts people and property at risk ecosystems. The first maps by which to identify in the face of climate change. Coastal and marine and coastal habitat types and wetland inshore ecosystems are more threatened than ecosystem types have been completed. offshore marine ecosystems. • Lost at sea: further out to sea, offshore Projects, programmes and ecosystems are the most poorly protected initiatives of all South Africa’s ecosystems. Yet, these South Africa’s Green Economy are the lifeblood for healthy and productive South Africa’s green economy strategy fisheries. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are comprises eight key pillars, namely; green essential for keeping both the ecosystems and buildings and built environment; sustainable the fisheries safe. transport and infrastructure; clean energy and • Hand-in-hand – State meets the private energy efficiency; resource conservation and sector: biodiversity stewardship programmes, management; sustainable waste management; where private landowners enter into an water management; sustainable consumption agreement with State conservation bodies to and production; and agriculture food production protect a section of their land and biodiversity, and forestry. are making headway, in terms of national As outlined in South Africa’s Integrated protected area targets. This is more affordable Resource Plan, by 2030 energy demand needs than when the State buys land for conser- to be decreased significantly, through techno- vation purposes. With modest increases in logical innovation, good behavioural practice and resources, this scheme could make an even public commitment to more efficient, sustainable larger contribution. and equitable energy use. • Warning signs: some parts of the country This includes the development of an efficient, have lost more natural habitat than others. lower-carbon public transport system that makes If Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North West everyday use of private vehicles an unnecessary keep losing natural landscapes to cultivation, extravagance. mining and urban expansion at the current By 2030 all houses, offices and commercial rate, these provinces will have almost no building will no longer be energy drains, but natural habitat left outside protected areas rather energy sources – supplying electricity to by 2050. Where natural vegetation is being communities through smart meters and smart converted to other land uses at a high rate, it’s grids. important to use maps of biodiversity-priority areas to guide decisions about where best to National Green Fund locate development. The Green Fund was founded in 2008 and • Planning for an uncertain climate: with an provides start-up funding for innovative and uncertain and extreme climate in the future high-impact green economy projects that the natural habitats should be kept healthy so private sector or banks would not finance – and they can support functional, stable landscapes supports the transition to a greener economy, all

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the while working on poverty reduction and job These projects, to the value of US$10 million, creation. include the enhancement of early warning Through the implementation of the 17 systems, protecting local communities from Strategic Development Goals and South Africa’s extreme weather events, and promoting climate NDP: 2030, the department aims to address the smart agriculture practices. triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and The SAWS continues to host the Global inequality over the next 15 years. Atmospheric Watch Station at the Cape Point, Efforts to facilitate the transition to a green one of only three in Africa. This network arose economy have resulted in the approval of 53 from the need to understand and control the projects by the National Green Fund, resulting increasing influence of human activity on the in approximately 8 124 job opportunities being global atmosphere and provide climate change created and at least 6 300 individuals being information and services. trained since 2013. Green Fund interventions have realised some People and parks 30 000 hectares (ha) converted to conservation South Africa is home to more than nine million land-use, benefiting landowners within the ha of protected areas network, which includes wildlife economy. national parks, nature reserves and world This fund continues to make strides, with the heritage sites, equating to about 8% of the recent approval of major projects within the country’s land. thematic areas of energy and pilot technology These protected areas, among other things, for recycling of plastic, contributing significantly serve as sites for conserving South Africa’s towards the management of plastic waste ecosystems, protection of high biodiversity stream. value and provision of ecosystem services. Most of these protected areas are geographically Sustainable Development and the located in rural areas, forming an integral system Green Economy with rural communities whose livelihoods and South Africa continues to play an instrumental cultures are closely dependent on. role within other global coordination mechanisms. The People and Parks Programme is an The country’s leadership of the G77 plus China initiative that promotes interface between in 2015 was instrumental in influencing these conservation and communities in South African negotiations. protected areas. Through the People and Parks Programme, Climate Change Response Policy the DEA is actively involved in restoring and The national Climate Change Response Policy maintaining natural ecosystems to stimulate is guided by the vision of the NDP of a transition rural economies; upgrading and developing new to an inclusive, equitable, low carbon and climate infrastructure in protected areas to boost tourism, resilient economy and society by 2030. developing commercial assets for communities By 2030, South Africa will have an efficient, owning and or living around protected areas; lower-carbon public transport system that makes and supporting related industries. everyday use of private vehicles an unnecessary In 2016, the department reported that of the 34 extravagance. projects that had been initiated, 12 projects have The development of the first phase of desired been completed and handed over to owning emission reduction objectives and carbon entities with 12 projects still under implemen- budgets are well underway. The Carbon Budget tation and 10 projects still finalising planning system will be introduced in five-year phases processes. – an initial phase from 2016 to 2020, and the The DEA, through the Environmental subsequent phases from 2021 onwards. Protection and Infrastructure Programme Priority focus areas are communities most (EPIP), has prioritised funding to the People vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and Parks programme, as well as to the wildlife namely the indigent, rural dwellers and women. economy. An amount of R877 447 290 for Given its demonstrated capacity, Sanbi has People and Parks and R130 300 000 with a been appointed the national implementing entity total of R1 007 747 290 has been budgeted of the Global Adaptation Fund. from 2015/16 to 2017/18. Pilot projects include the Greater uMgeni Catchment area in KwaZulu-Natal, the Mopani Wildlife Economy District in Limpopo and the Namaqua District in South Africa is the third most biologically diverse Northern Cape. country in the world, and therefore has one of the

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larg­est natural capital assets. This biodiversity South African Carbon Disclosure is not only economically viable to the economic Project (CDP) wellbeing of the country but can be used as a The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is a vehicle for social upliftment. UK-based not-for-profit organisation holding the The country’s biodiversity comes with a largest database of corporate climate change number of challenges, ranging from poaching information in the world. Established in 2000, to overexploitation. The Wildlife Economy in the CDP, on behalf of 551 institutional investors, South Africa is centred on the sustainable use challenges the world’s largest companies to of indigenous biological resources, including measure and report their carbon emissions. biodiversity-derived products for trade and A CDP report released in 2015 showed a bio-prospecting, the hunting industry, agriculture steady emissions decline since 2008. and agro-processing of indigenous crops and The high level trends show that over the last vegetables and livestock breeds and indigenous nine years, there has been an improvement in marine resources and fisheries. both disclosure and performance scores, as The focus of the Wildlife Economy is centred well as an overall reduction in greenhouse gas on the socio-economic benefits of eco-tourism, (GHG) emissions by the JSE 100. However, co-managed conserva­tion areas and ancillary the emission reductions achieved in the recent services to protected areas. years do not meet required global and national Harvesting indigenous biological resources is reduction targets. a significant source of income for communities. The CDP report highlights that the number of In many cases, one harvester supports an entire companies setting specific emission reduction household but the overdependence on these targets has increased from 18 (34%) in 2008 to have led to the depletion and at the extreme the 58 (78%) in 2015, and more emission reduction extinction of some of the biodiversity. activities (ERAs) have been implemented over For example, the existing commercial market the reporting years. These ERAs have benefited for trade in South African bitter aloe, or Aloe companies through total monetary savings ferox is well established, as is the trade in equivalent to R6,7 billion, from 2011 to 2015 Pelargonium sidoides, buchu, rooibos, honey and a total of 16,8 million tonnes CO₂e emission bush, Devil’s Claw and crocodile fat/oil. These savings from 2012 – 2015. indigenous biological resources are predomi- The response rate over the reporting period nantly used in the manufacturing of herbal has increased from 58% in 2008 to 79% in medicines, cosmetics and food flavours and 2015, with a similar trend observed in the fragrances. median disclosure scores which increased from Additional prod­ucts with commercial potential 71 in 2008 to 96 in 2015. Additionally, 99% of for industrial or pharmaceutical application are companies now report their scope 1 and scope 2 micro-organisms, ma­rine organisms, gums and emissions which is up from 75% in 2008. Based resins and venoms. on these disclosure and performance scores, Other significant drivers of the biodiversity South Africa has grown to become one of the economy include trophy hunting and the best responding countries in the world. associated industry of taxidermy, sale of live More companies are integrating climate change game, and sale of game meat. Further opportu- into their governance activities, which shows nities exist in the sale of game meat, skins for increased awareness and effort from companies. leather, bones and horns. Since 2008, the percentage of companies that Another example of biodiversity-based have climate change issues overseen by a board industry is in silk production. Other biodiversity- has increased from 75% to 100%; the percentage based products include bee-keeping products of companies that have integrated climate (honey, wax, propollis and royal jelly), Mopane change into their risk management strategies has worms and ostrich egg shells and feathers. increased from 74% to 97%; and the percentage of companies that have integrated climate change into their business strategies has increased from 80% to 95%.

Combined, South Africa’s national botanical gardens Role players receive nearly 1,5 million visitors a year, with Kirstenbosch, South African National Biodiversity considered one of the world’s “Magnificent Seven” botanical Institute i gardens, receiving over 820 000 visitors a year. In support of the NDP, government is working through Sanbi to spearhead an innovative

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programme of work on analysing ecological Working for the Coast (WftC) programme infrastructure and costing natural capital. This The WftC programme of the DEA was established body of knowledge will empower the DEA to to deal with some of the challenges in line with make informed development-related decisions. the Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008. The Groen Sebenza Project, launched in The WftC programme is informed by the broader 2015 is a R300-million training, mentoring EPWP, which is using labour-intensive methods and workplace-based learning project aimed in its implementation. at building a pool of young, capable profes- The programme is also linked to other inland sionals for the country’s biodiversity and natural EPIP aimed at street cleaning and greening, resource management sector. waste management, rehabilitation of degraded Spearheaded by Sanbi, the innovative project areas (catchments) and bio-remediation of will see 800 unemployed graduates and matric- polluted rivers. ulants being placed in skilled biodiversity jobs in both the public and private sector for a period of iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority two-and-a-half years. The Lake St Lucia System is the most important The practical workplace experience and estuary and a key nursery for fish on the training will, it is hoped, kick-start their careers in southeast African coast. For six decades a fast-growing industry. The project is sponsored St Lucia received too little fresh water, due to by the Government’s Jobs Fund, which is human interventions and drought, leaving this administered by the Development Bank of flagship estuary in poor condition and closed Southern Africa. to the sea for much of the past 10 years. Work SANBI is a respected authority in research has begun on restoring St Lucia back to health, and has an unmatched research record in a top priority for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park the indigenous, naturalised and alien flora Authority, but it is challenging and will take time. of southern Africa and beyond. Its research As an area of exceptional and outstanding management covers systematics and universal heritage significance, the iSimangaliso collections expansion, conservation and applied Wetland Park was named South Africa’s first biodiversity science, and climate change. SANBI World Heritage site in December 1999. is also responsible for ensuring that biodiversity The park has received recognition under knowledge influences policy, management and three of four natural criteria recognised by the decision making. World Heritage Convention: it has outstanding Its biome programmes, which focus on South examples of ecological processes, superlative Africa’s biodiversity hotspots, ensure that the natural phenomena and scenic beauty, and country’s most important biodiversity regions, exceptional biodiversity and threatened species. such as the grasslands, wetlands and succulent iSimangaliso is located in one of South Karoo, are protected in a sustainable and Africa’s poorest rural areas and has been largely beneficial way. SANBI is increasingly embracing under claim. All but three of the land claims biodiversity in its broadest sense through the settlements have been concluded and a series of inclusion of the country’s fauna as part of its co-management agreements have been signed taxonomic research mandate. It is coordinating with land claimants. The management of such a catalogue of all South Africa’s species (at least a diverse asset in an area of extreme poverty 100 000), including animals, through the South and high expectations requires an adaptive and African Tree of Life Project. inclusive approach. The institute operates environmental edu- cation programmes within its national botanical MET Mbokodo Unite was launched in August 2015. This gardens, while outreach greening programmes is a networking and mentorship programme for women in focus on promoting indigenous gardening at meteorology and related sciences, developed by the South disadvantaged schools in surrounding areas. i African Weather Service. SANBI is South Africa’s official body for facili- The MET Mbokodo Unite Project aims to attract tating access to the Adaptation Fund, set up young women into the sector through targeted outreach to help developing countries cope with climate programmes and mentorship. change. It was established by the parties to the Another objective is the retention of women in the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention sector through creating an enabling environment through on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to finance the networking programme as well as engagement of women in weather-sensitive industries (e.g. agriculture) concrete adaptation projects and programmes and targeting education and awareness programmes in this in developing countries that are parties to the regard. protocol.

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South African Weather Service feature facilities such as restaurants, function The SAWS provides useful and innovative rooms and conference venues and include weather, climate and related products and activities such as hikes, picnics and shopping. services by: The botanical gardens are: • enhancing observational data and communi- • Kirstenbosh, Cape Town cations networks • Pretoria, Tshwane • developing and managing talent within the • Harold Porter, Betty’s Bay sector • Walter Sisulu, Roodepoort • enhancing collaborative partnerships and • Hantam, Nieuwoudtville disseminating weather services products to • Free State, Bloemfontein their users • Karoo Desert, Worcester • using cutting-edge technology to convert data • KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg into meaningful products and services for risk • Lowveld, Nelspruit mitigation • Kwelera, East London • advancing the science of meteorology, research and relevant applications National Herbarium • enhancing fiscal discipline and resource The National Herbarium, situated within the mobilisation to ensure sustainability. Pretoria National Botanical Garden, houses In its continued efforts to carry out its legal over one million scientific plant specimens in mandate, the work of SAWS is guided by four southern Africa. key strategic goals: The Crompton Herbarium in Cape Town • ensuring the continued relevance of the focuses mainly on the flora of the winter rainfall organisation in delivering meteorological- region of southern Africa, while the KwaZulu- related products and services in compliance Natal Herbarium in Durban primarily focuses with all applicable regulatory frameworks on the flora of the subtropical eastern region • ensuring effective management of stakeholder, of South Africa, in particular the flora of the partner and key client relations province. • addressing the short-term viability and long-term sustainability of the entity’s revenue Protected areas and ensuring continued fiscal discipline The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • ensuring the availability of strategy-driven founded in 1992 at the Rio Summit, is the legally human capital capacity for the performance of binding agreement on the use and conservation the SAWS. of biological diversity. The Convention provides the framework Environmental resources for 196 parties to guide efforts to conserve, National botanical gardens and sustainably use biological diversity and SANBI manages the 10 national botanical equitably share the benefits from the use of gardens, classified as conservation gardens, in genetic resources. In October 2010, the parties seven of South Africa’s nine provinces. Together, approved the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for they conserve more than 7 500 ha of natural 2011 – 2020 including 20 Aichi Targets. There vegetation. are a number of management categories of South Africa’s national botanical gardens protected areas in South Africa, which conform have, since their establishment at different to the accepted categories of the International times during the 20th and 21st century, focused Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). on growing and conserving South Africa’s South Africa has 528 protected areas, of which indigenous plants. Together they conserve over 20 were marine, totalling 7,5 million ha or 6,2% 7 400 ha of natural vegetation and associated of the country’s land area. biodiversity within their boundaries. South Africa aims to expand the conservation The national botanical gardens are natural areas under formal protection to the international escapes close to some of the country’s urban standard of 10% of the total area of the country. centres, offering visitors a taste of the country’s The department works closely with landowners uniquely rich and colourful biodiversity. They to ensure their participation in the Stewardship Programme, which allows land owners to use The Succulent Karoo Biome is one of only two arid their land for biodiversity and conservation biodiversity hotspots in the world, the other being the Horn purposes. This is aimed at expanding the i of Africa. country’s conservation estate.

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Scientific reserves • Agulhas National Park Scientific reserves are sensitive and undisturbed • Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park areas managed for research, monitoring and the • Augrabies Falls National Park maintenance of genetic sources. • Bontebok National Park Access is limited to researchers and staff. • Camdeboo National Park Examples of such areas are Marion Island and • Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wil- the Prince Edward Islands near Antarctica. derness) National Park • Golden Gate Highlands National Park Wilderness areas • Karoo National Park These areas are extensive, uninhabited • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and underdeveloped, and access is strictly • Kruger National Park controlled with no vehicles allowed. The highest • Mapungubwe National Park management priority is the maintenance­ of the • Marakele National Park intrinsic wilderness character. • Mokala National Park Wilderness areas include the Cederberg • Mountain Zebra National Park Wilderness Area and Dassen Island in • Namaqua National Park the Western Cape, and the Baviaanskloof • Table Mountain National Park (which Wilderness Area in the Eastern Cape. incorporates the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and Silvermine nature reserves) South African National Parks • Tankwa Karoo National Park SANParks’ primary mandate is to oversee the • West Coast National Park. conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, Tourism activities within the parks include landscapes and associated heritage assets self-drive safaris, game viewing, accommo- through a system of national parks. Its mandate dation tariffs, adventure activities such as guided is based on the following core values: walks and hiking, bird-watching, 4x4 trails, • conservation management through the sight-seeing, cultural and historical experiences, national parks system mountain biking, golf, canoeing and swimming. • constituency building and people-focused In 2015/16, 23 298 people from 359 eco-tourism management communities adjacent to the national parks were • corporate governance and sound business employed in a range of EPWP initiatives. This and operational management. equates to a total of 6 364 Full Time Equivalents SANParks manages a system of parks, of employment, which is greater than the total which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, number of full-time employees in SANParks. landscapes and associated cultural heritage of the country. Transfrontier conservation areas SANParks is responsible for 3 751 113 ha of (TFCAs) protected land in 20 national parks. SANParks A TFCA is a cross-border region. The conser- has increased the area of land under its vation status of the areas within a TFCA ranges protection by 360 000 ha over the past 20 years. from national parks, private game reserves Since 2000, SANParks has added 558 897 ha to and communal natural-resource management its national parks. areas to hunting-concession areas. Although In 2015/16, SANParks welcomed close to six fences, highways, railway lines or other barriers million guests to its parks, a 6% increase compared to 2014/15. There was also an increase in The 10th Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla was operating tourism revenue, which grew by 14,7% hosted in Bloemfontein, Free State, in September 2015. in 2015/16. Operating tourism revenue reached During the opening session of the Lekgotla, the 2015 State a figure of R1,29 billion, which was R93,8 million of Air Report and National Air Quality Indicator was tabled. greater than budget. All components of operating i The 2015 Lekgotla was hosted under theme “Launching tourism revenue saw good growth in the year the Air Quality Management Systems for Transparent under review with concession fee income growing Governance and Improved Service Delivery.” The Lekgotla brought together at least 350 air quality by 14%, accommodation income by 12% and officials from all three spheres of government, to deliberate concession fees by 21%. on various pertinent issues such as Air Quality Management This revenue funds activities and projects, Planning Tools, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring as well as mostly infrastructure, which could not be Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement. accommodated in the budget allocations. The platform created an opportunity for government The national parks are: officials to interact and strengthen regulatory tools towards • Addo Elephant National Park improved air quality management.

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separate the constituent areas, they are • Vhembe, situated in the north-east of Limpopo, managed jointly for long-term sustainable use of which includes the northern part of the Kruger natural resources. National Park; the Makuleke Wetland, which is Unlike in transfrontier parks, free movement protected under the Ramsar Convention; the of animals between the components of a TFCA Soutpansberg and Blouberg biodiversity hot is not always possible. TFCAs facilitate and spots; and the Makgabeng Plateau. promote regional peace, cooperation and socio- • The 100 000-ha Kogelberg Reserve on the economic development. country’s southern coast is in the middle of The success of TFCAs depends on community the Cape Floral Region and home to 1 880 involvement. In turn, TFCAs provide local different plant species, 77 of which are found communities with opportunities to generate only in this region. revenue. • The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve The seven TFCAs are the: starts in Cape Town in the southern suburb of • Ai-Ais/Richtersveld (Namibia, South Africa) Diep River and stretches up the west coast as • Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Botswana, far as the Berg River, encompassing parts of South Africa, Zimbabwe) the Cape Floral Region. The reserve includes • Greater Mapungubwe  the Ramsar-protected Langebaan Lagoon as • Kavango-Zambezi (Angola, Botswana, well as Dassen Island, which is home to a Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe) penguin colony. • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Botswana, • The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve South Africa) includes a part of the Cape Floral Region, as • Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Re- well as the wine-growing region. source Area (Mozambique, South Africa, • In the north there is the Waterberg Biosphere Swaziland) Reserve, an area of some 400 000 ha in • Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conser- Limpopo. It is an important catchment area vation and Development Area (Lesotho, South for the Limpopo Basin, with four large rivers Africa). originating within its borders – the Lephalale, Mokolo, Matlabas and Magalakwena rivers. Biosphere reserves • The Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere Reserve A biosphere designation is given by the UN stretches from the Kruger National Park to the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi- Blyde River Canyon. It is an important conser- sation (UNESCO) to special landscapes where vation area as it covers three biomes. people are collaborating to ensure their environ- • The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve is mental integrity as the basis for their economic recognised by UNESCO in terms of the Man development. Biosphere reserves are nominated and Biosphere Programme. by their governments for inclusion in the Man and the Biosphere Programme. World heritage sites Whether they are terrestrial, freshwater, A UNESCO World Heritage Site is listed by coastal or marine in nature, all are experimental UNESCO as being of special cultural or physical areas where different approaches to integrated significance. environmental management (IEM) are tested. It catalogues, names and conserves sites of This helps to deepen knowledge of what works outstanding cultural or natural importance to the in conservation and sustainable development. common heritage of humanity. South Africa’s biosphere reserves include: While each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the province wherein the site In March 2015, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa in is located, UNESCO considers it in the interest partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability, the of the international community to preserve each i City of Tshwane and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) hosted the Earth Hour Capital Challenge, an event site. aimed at raising the profile of public transport as a means to South Africa has eight world heritage sites support low-carbon development. proclaimed by UNESCO: TUT students paired with WWF and City of Tshwane • Robben Island: situated 11 km offshore from partners used all available modes of public transport to Cape Town, the island is most famous as the navigate a series of destination checkpoints across the city. place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Guided by the newest release of the urban transportation It is now home to the world-renowned Robben and journey planner app, Findmyway, the winning team Island Museum and has become a popular was one that completed the route with the lowest carbon tourist attraction. footprint. • The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed

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as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site to more than 9 000 vascular plant species, in December 1999 in recognition of its of which 69% are endemic. Much of this natural beauty and unique global values. diversity is associated with the fynbos biome. The 332 000-ha park contains three major The economical worth of fynbos biodiversity, lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, based on harvests of fynbos products (e.g. 700-year-old fishing traditions, most of South wildflowers) and ecotourism, is estimated Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s to be in the region of R77 million a year. In largest estuarine system, 526 bird species and July 2015, UNESCO approved the extension 25 000-year-old coastal dunes – among the of the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas highest in the world. The name iSimangaliso World Heritage Site. At the time of inscription, means miracle and wonder. The park also has the site was made up of eight protected areas four Ramsar sites. comprising about 553 000 ha. The eight • The Cradle of Humankind consisting of the protected areas are located in the Eastern hominid fossil sites at Swartkrans, Sterkfontein Cape and the Western Cape. The extension and Kromdraai. The world heritage status brings the size of the World Heritage Site to of Sterkfontein’s fossil hominid sites was 1 094 742 ha and increases the number of extended in July 2005 to include the Taung protected area clusters making up the Cape skull fossil site in North West and the Floral Region from eight to 13. Mokopane Valley in Limpopo. The Cradle • Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Land- of Humankind has one of the world’s richest scape: The site covers 160 000 ha of dramatic concentrations of hominid fossils that provide mountainous desert in the north-west of South evidence of human evolution over the past Africa. It is the only area where the Nama 3,5 million years. Found in Gauteng and still construct portable rush-covered domed North West, the fossil sites cover an area of houses, or Iharu oms. 47 000 ha. The remains of ancient forms of • Vredefort Dome, about 120 km south-west animals, plants and hominids are encased in of Johannesburg, is a representative part a bed of dolomite deposited around 2,5 billion of a larger meteorite impact structure, or years ago. In April 2010, a new species of astrobleme. Dating back more than two hominid, Australopithecus sediba, estimated million years, it is the oldest astrobleme yet to be two million years old, was discovered in found on Earth. With a radius of 190 km, the Cradle of Humankind. it is also the largest and the most deeply • The Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (a mixed eroded. Vredefort Dome bears witness to the natural and cultural site) is a world heritage world’s greatest known single energy release site covering 242 813 ha (2 428 km²). The park event, which had devastating global effects spans parts of both South Africa and Lesotho. including, according to some scientists, major The park includes the Royal Natal National evolutionary changes. It provides evidence of Park, a provincial park, and the Drakensberg the Earth’s geological history and is crucial to National Park, which covers part of the understanding of the evolution of the planet. Drakensberg, the highest mountain in southern Africa. Under the Ramsar Convention, the South Africa’s Ramsar sites include: park is in the List of Wetlands of International • Barberspan Importance. i • Blesbokspruit Nature Reserve • Mapungubwe Heritage Site: in September • De Hoop Vlei 2011, the DEA, SANParks and Coal of Africa • De Mond (Heuningnes Estuary) Limited signed an historical Memorandum • Kosi Bay of Agreement (MoA) as part of the environ- • Langebaan mental authorisation issued in accordance • Makuleke Wetlands • Ndumo Game Reserve with Nema of 1998, to ensure the integrity • Ntsikeni Nature Reserve of the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape • Nylsvley Nature Reserve World Heritage Site. According to the MoA, • Orange River Mouth Wetland the integrity of the World Heritage Site will • Prince Edward Islands in Antarctica be maintained through comprehensive • Seekoeivlei biodiversity offset programmes, thereby • St Lucia optimising benefits to local communities. • the turtle beaches and coral reefs of Tongaland • Cape Floral Region, the smallest of the six • Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park recognised floral kingdoms of the world, is an • Verlorenvlei Nature Reserve • Wilderness Lakes. area of extraordinarily high diversity and home

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Despite the importance of impact sites to an South Africa was one of the first six countries the planet’s history, geological activity on the to become a signatory to the Convention on Earth’s surface has led to the disappearance Wetlands of International Importance, called the of evidence from most of them, and Vredefort Ramsar Convention, when it came into force is the only example to provide a full geological in 1975. It is an intergovernmental treaty that profile of an astrobleme below the crater floor. provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation Habitat and wildlife management areas and wise use of wetlands and their resources. These areas are subject to human intervention, South Africa has 22 Ramsar sites. based on research into the requirements of The DEA is responsible for the South African specific species for survival. They include Wetlands Conservation Programme, which conservancies; provincial, regional or private ensures that South Africa’s obligations in terms reserves created for the conservation of species of the Ramsar Convention are met. habitats or biotic communities; marshes; lakes; South Africa’s Ramsar sites include: and nesting and feeding areas. • Barberspan • Blesbokspruit Nature Reserve Protected land and seascapes • De Hoop Vlei These areas are products of the harmonious • De Mond (Heuningnes Estuary) interaction of people and nature, and include • Kosi Bay natural environments protected in terms of the • Langebaan Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of • Makuleke Wetlands 1989), scenic landscapes and historical urban • Ndumo Game Reserve landscapes. • Ntsikeni Nature Reserve • Nylsvley Nature Reserve Sustainable-use areas • Orange River Mouth Wetland These areas emphasise the sustainable use • Prince Edward Islands in Antarctica of protected areas such as the Kosi Bay Lake • Seekoeivlei System in KwaZulu-Natal. • St Lucia Nature areas in private ownership are • the turtle beaches and coral reefs of Tongaland proclaimed and managed to curtail undesirable • Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park development in areas with high aesthetic or • Verlorenvlei Nature Reserve conservation potential. • Wilderness Lakes. Conservancies are formed to involve the South Africa is seen as a leader in the rehabili- ordinary landowner in conservation. Landowners tation of wetlands. The damage done to wetlands can establish a conservancy where conservation can be reversed, as is seen at Rietvlei Dam in principles are integrated with normal farming Gauteng. activities. Government has pledged more than R75 mil- lion to rehabilitating wetlands. Rehabilitation is Wetlands ongoing, with attention given to poverty-stricken The IUCN identifies wetlands as the third most areas. important support system on Earth. World Wetlands Day is annually celebrated on Wetlands make up only 2,4% of South 2 February. Africa’s surface area but they are responsible for a disproportionately high value of “ecological infrastructure” that provides critical ecosystem Marine protected areas services such as water purification and flood MPAs conserve natural environments and assist regulation, among others. in the management of fisheries by protecting and Wetlands support a range of specialised rebuilding economically important stocks. They plant, insect and mammal life and also supply are also used to develop and regulate coastal food, grazing, building and craft material. They ecotourism opportunities. are able to improve water quality, reduce flood Government shares joint responsibility for impacts, control erosion and sustain river flows. South Africa’s MPAs with SANParks and Of special importance is the role wetlands play Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. in ensuring a steady supply of clean water for South Africa’s MPAs include: communities and helping government save • Aliwal Shoal, KwaZulu-Natal hundreds of millions of rands that would be • Betty’s Bay, Western Cape required to set up purification plants/facilities. • Bird Island, Eastern Cape

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• De Hoop, Western Cape • amphibian conservation • Dwesa-Cwebe, Eastern Cape • ground hornbill breeding and off-site surveys • False Bay, Western Cape • vulture conservation • Goukamma, Western Cape • chimpanzee conservation with the Jane • Hluleka, Eastern Cape Goodall Institute. • iSimangaliso, KwaZulu-Natal The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a major • Langebaan Lagoon, Sixteen Mile Beach, partner. Malgas Island, Marcus Island, Jutten Island, Mitchell Park in Durban is the country’s second Western Cape oldest zoo after the NZG. There are about 30 • Pondoland, Eastern Cape. projects on the cards for the zoo, including • Robberg, Western Cape cheetah and chimpanzee enclosures. • Sardinia Bay, Eastern Cape • Stilbaai, Western Cape Breeding centres • Table Mountain, Western Cape There are a number of game-breeding centres • Trafalgar, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The NZG of South Africa • Tsitsikamma, Western Cape. is responsible for the management of the Lichtenburg Biodiversity Conservation Centre, Zoological gardens which covers an area of some 6 000 ha, and the Established in 1899 in Pretoria, and given Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre, national status in 1916, the National Zoological covering 1 333 ha. Gardens (NZG) of South Africa is the largest The two centres supplement the NZG’s zoo in the country and the only one with national breeding programme for various endangered status. Over 600 000 people visit it every year. animals, and its own animal collection. It plays a major role in the conservation of The Lichtenburg Biodiversity Conservation wildlife, maintaining one of the largest animal Centre houses, among other animals, Père collections in Africa, and has over 8 000 David’s deer, which are extinct in the wild, pygmy individual animal specimens representing over hippopotamus, white rhino, the endangered 500 species. addax, and scimitar-horned and Arabian oryx. The species are managed across two facilities Large herds of impala, springbok, zebra, blesbok stretching into Gauteng (Pretoria) and Limpopo and red hartebeest also roam the area. (Mokopane). About 70% of the species are of About 32 ha of the wetland area at the centre African origin and 30% of global representation. have been developed into a system of dams As a member of the World Association of and pans, which serve as a natural haven for Zoos and Aquariums and the African Association waterbirds such as spoonbills, kingfishers, ibises of Zoos and Aquaria, the NZG participates and herons. in several endangered species management The Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation programmes and successfully breeds several endangered species of both continental and The animal collections of the NZG are the direct responsibil- ity of the Animal Collection and Conservation Department. global significance. i The department operates in two facilities: the main facility Among the endangered species the NZG in Tshwane and the Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation contributes to conserving are the cheetah, rhino, Centre, 200 km north of Tshwane. ground hornbill, red-billed oxpecker and several The facility in Tshwane is an 84-ha ex situ based facility, endangered antelope species. which is home to approximately 5 000 different mammals, The animal collections of the NZG are the birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, com- direct responsibility of the Animal Collection prising of around 600 species and subspecies. One of its and Conservation Department. The department unique features is that it has the largest inland aquarium in operates in two facilities: the main facility Africa, which also has a marine fish component. It is also the only zoo in South Africa that is home to koalas, okapi, in Tshwane and the Mokopane Biodiversity Komodo dragons and forest buffalo, to name but a few. Conservation Centre, 200 km north of Tshwane. The second facility, the Mokopane Biodiversity Conser- The Johannesburg Zoological Gardens’ core vation Centre, has both an ex situ and in situ component. business is the accommodation, enrichment,­ The centre is 1 394 ha in size and hosts approximately 830 husbandry and medical care of wild animals. animals of 42 different species and subspecies directly in its It also plays an important role in conservation care. In the reserve component, a total of 105 tree species, projects of both indigenous and internationally 71 grass species and 173 free-ranging bird species have endangered animals. The zoo joins other conser- also been identified. In 2007, the MBCC was proclaimed as vation organisations in programmes involving: a protected area as a Fossil Hominid Site of SA: Mokopan Valley. • wattled crane recovery

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Centre is home to an abundance of exotic and with the largest collection of fresh­water fish. indigenous fauna such as the lemur, the rare It is also the only aquarium in South Africa that tsessebe, roan antelope and black rhino. exhibits a large variety of marine fish in artificial The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre sea water and the only inland aquarium housing near Pretoria, is best known for its captive- ragged-tooth sharks. breeding programme that contributed to the The Port Elizabeth Oceanarium is one of cheetah being removed from the endangered list the city’s major attractions. Exhibits include an in the South African Red Data Book – Terrestrial underwater observation area, a dolphin research Mammals in 1986. centre, various smaller tanks containing 40 De Wildt also breeds a number of rare and different species of bony fish and two larger endangered African species. tanks that display sharks and stingrays. East The most spectacular of these is the London aquarium was 84 years old in 2015, magnificent king cheetah, which is a true making it South Africa’s oldest aquarium. cheetah, but with a variation in coat pattern and At the Two Oceans Aquarium at the Victoria colouring. De Wildt also plays a major role in and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, more than breeding and releasing wild dogs. 3 000 specimens represent some 300 species It has donated breeding nuclei of the highly of fish, invertebrates, mammals, birds and plants endangered riverine rabbit and suni antelope to supported by the waters along the Cape coast. the Kruger National Park. The aquarium at uShaka Marine World in The De Wildt Vulture Unit is a rehabilitation Durban incorporates both fresh and sea water and holding facility for injured, poisoned and species, and is the fifth largest aquarium in the disabled vultures. world by water volume. It comprises Sea World, The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre Dolphin World, Beach World, and Wet and Wild in Limpopo was established as a breeding World. programme for the then endangered cheetah. Sea World has a unique ship­wreck-themed The centre caters for, among other animals, aquarium, a penguin rookery and a 1 200-seater five species of vulture: Cape griffins as well as dolphin stadium, the largest dolphinarium in white-backed, hooded, whiteheaded and lappet- Africa. faced vultures. The centre is also known for its wild-dog Snake and reptile parks breeding programme. The Port Elizabeth Snake Park at Bayworld The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding has a wide variety of South African and foreign Programme includes the rare black-footed cat, reptiles, including tortoises, boa constrictors, vulnerable African wild cat, ground hornbills (in pythons, crocodiles, lizards and deadly cooperation with the NZG), the bald ibis and the venomous snakes such as cobras, mambas and endangered blue crane. Elephant, white rhino, rattlers. Rare and threatened species, including buffalo, caracal, sable antelope, bushbuck and the Madagascar ground boa, are housed in tsessebe have also been cared for and rehabil- realistically landscaped glass enclosures. itated there. The Aquarium and Reptile Park at the NZG The Cape Vulture Breeding and Reintroduction houses 80 reptile species from all over the Programme celebrated the first release of three world. different ages of captive-bred Cape vultures into The Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal the Magaliesberg Mountains in February 2015. Park near Pretoria features one of the finest Each bird was fitted with a solar-powered GPS reptile collections in southern Africa. It offers tracking unit to enable post-release monitoring seal shows and snake-handling demonstrations. as a vital part of the reintroduction and research The Pure Venom Reptile Farm is one of programme. The chicks are being monitored the largest of South Africa’s reptile parks. It is to follow their integration into wild populations inland from Shelly Beach, on KwaZulu-Natal’s by observing ranging and roosting behaviours, South Coast. competitive behaviours, weight gain and body The CrocRiver Enviro Park in Nelspruit is condition. the largest facility of its type in Africa. The park offers, among other things, turtle, crocodile Aquariums and oceanariums and fish ponds; the water monitor lizard pond; There are aquariums in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, and the Desert House, in which a desert-like Cape Town, Durban and East London. atmosphere has been created, and which is The Aquarium and Reptile Park of the NZG in home to the reptile gallery where indigenous Pretoria is the largest inland aquarium in Africa, and exotic reptiles from all over the world are

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displayed. In South Africa, numerous private bodies are involved Khamai Reptile Centre’s primary aims are in conservation activities. More than 400 organisations conservation, breeding of endangered reptiles i concen­trate on conservation, wildlife and the general and education. Located outside Hoedspruit in environment, while more than 30 botanical and horticultural Mpumalanga, it offers a close-up look at many organisations concentrate on the conservation of the country’s fauna and flora. These include the: local as well as exotic snakes, crocodiles and • BirdLife South Africa lizards. • Botanical Society of South Africa • Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife Managing environmental • Conservation International resources • Delta Environmental Centre Rhino poaching • Dolphin Action Protection Group For the first time since 2007, the number of • EcoLink • EWT rhinos poached fell in 2015. Some 1 175 rhinos • Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were poached – 40 fewer than in 2014. Poaching • Green Trust in Kruger National Park, which is home to • Keep South Africa Beautiful somewhere between 8 400 and 9 300 rhinos, • KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board has been on the rise. Some 202 poachers were • National Conservancy Association of South Africa arrested in the park in 2015, and another 115 • Peace Parks Foundation were arrested just outside it. South Africa is • Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of home to an estimated 19 700 rhinos, about 80% Coastal Birds of the world’s population. • Trees and Food for Africa • Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa Government continued to strengthen holistic • World Wildlife Fund of South Africa. and integrated interventions and explore new innovative options to ensure the long-term survival of the species. The then Department of Environmental Affairs Prevention of rhino poaching included an and Tourism developed the National Contin­ intensification of anti-poaching actions by gency Plan for the Prevention and Combating SANParks and the police, as well as the South of Pollution from Ships, in consultation with the African National Defence Force and provincial South African Maritime Safety Authority and conservation and security officials. the Department of Transport. This includes South Africa’s multi-disciplinary response disposing of, recovering or stabilising spilt oil further included the creation of an intensive and rehabilitating the environment. protection zone within the Kruger National Park, With 80% of marine pollution emanating the introduction and implementation of new from land-based activities, the DEA will be technology, pro-active intelligence, improving implementing the national Programme of Action national, regional and international collaboration, for land-based sources of pollution, while refining and translocating rhino to safe areas within the strategies for combating marine pollution from oil country, and in rhino range states. spills. The DEA has a number of interventions to The department has embarked on a process fight rhino poaching. They include strategic to adopt a new protocol on land-based sources translocation of rhino, increased collaboration of marine pollution under the amended Nairobi between law-enforcement agencies, disruption Convention for the Protection, Management of criminal syndicates and tightening ports of and Development of the Marine and Coastal entry and exit to combat the smuggling of illicitly Environment of the Western Indian Ocean. sourced wildlife parts, including rhino horns. The department has also developed the Cape Other interventions include: providing economic Zone Oil Spill Plan. alternatives for communities vulnerable to recruitment by poachers and collaboration with Protecting the coastline range, transit and end-user states. To counter illegal activities along the coastline, as well as the country’s 1 155 000-km2 Ex- Marine pollution and sustainability clusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the former Depart- South Africa has one of the world’s busiest ment of Environmental Affairs and Tourism shipping routes and has experienced many oil boosted its compliance unit with the appointment spills over the years. It is estimated that 80% of of more than 80 fishery-control officers and the world’s tanker traffic passes South Africa’s 100 honorary fishery-control officers, after the coast. imple­mentation of the Honorary Fishery-Control

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Officers Policy. already commenced on the Offshore Supply The department took delivery of four environ­ Base. This is one of three projects making mental-protec­tion vessels as part of measures up a R9,2 billion public-private partnership to protect marine and coastal resources, namely investment over a five-year period. the Lillian Ngoyi, Ruth First, Victoria Mxenge • R353 million had been committed in the ports and Sarah Baartman. They patrol up to the 200 of Durban and Cape Town for boatbuilding nautical-mile limit from the shore and the most infrastructure, creating approximately 355 remote reaches of the EEZ as well as around direct jobs. the Prince Edward Islands. The vessels also • Investments in boatbuilding and a fuel storage conduct multilateral patrols in the SADC coastal facility in the Port of Cape Town, amounting states. to approximately R3,6 billion, had been committed. Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy • Operation Phakisa will also be used to develop Operation Phakisa was launched in 2014. The rural economies through small harbour project was expected to play a critical role in development, coastal and marine tourism and fast-tracking delivery of the priorities outlined aquaculture. R80 million had been allocated in the NDP. The first phase of implementing for the rehabilitation and maintenance of Operation Phakisa was led by the DEA. It proclaimed fishing harbours in Gansbaai, focused on unlocking the economic potential of Saldanha Bay, Struisbaai, Gordons Bay and South Africa’s oceans, which are estimated to Lamberts Bay in the Western Cape. have the potential to contribute up to R177 billion • The establishment of three new harbours in to the country’s GDP by 2033 compared with Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu- R54 billion in 2010. Natal would also provide opportunities for Operation Phakisa’s achievments in 2015/16 local and rural economic development. include: • In the aquaculture sector, more than • In April 2016, it was announced that R400 million worth of investments, both from government had unlocked investments the private sector and government, had been amounting to about R17 billion in the Oceans committed across 10 aquaculture farms in the Economy. Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape • In addition, over 4 500 jobs had been created and Northern Cape. in the various sectors since the inception of • The Siyazama Aquaculture Cooperative in Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy. Hamburg sold its first harvest of dusky kob • The programme added great impetus in the to the Cape Town Fish Market at the V&A development of infrastructure: over R7 billion Waterfront in Cape Town. had been allocated by Transnet National Ports • A total of 12 new aquaculture projects, Authority to improve the country’s ports. which included inland provinces such as • Of the nine tugboats being built by South Mpumalanga and Gauteng, had also been African Shipyards for Transnet National Ports selected. An additional 17 new applications Authority in the Port of Durban, two were were being processed. destined for the Port of Port Elizabeth. • The South African Marine Research and • Two bulk carriers were registered on the South Exploration Forum was launched. This is an African Ships Register and would be using the important partnership between the public Port of Port Elizabeth as home port, providing sector and private sector extractive industries, opportunities for South African crew and represented by the Offshore Petroleum cadets. A further registered vessel would be South Africa, to exploit the broader research using Cape Town as it home port. opportunities presented by offshore oil and • Work had also continued to refurbish the Port gas exploration to undertake research, using of Durban. private sector vessels in the interests of South • The Durban Dry Dock Caisson, which allows Africa. water to be pumped out of the dock and • The establishment of the South African for work on vessels to occur in the dry, had International Maritime Institute based at the been installed and floated by January 2016. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. This The dry dock was opened for business. This has been achieved through a R295-million development represents an investment of contribution by the National Skills Fund. This R43 million. institute is responsible for the implementation • In the Port of Saldanha Bay, which is to be of all skills development initiatives of the established as an oil and gas hub, work had Oceans Economy in Operation Phakisa, under

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the leadership of the Department of Higher • Basel Convention on the Control of Trans- Education and Training. boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes • The DEA was in the process of appointing a • Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Nautical Science specialist. Management, which is governed by the Inter- national Conference on Chemicals Manage- Vessel monitoring ment. The department is making it obligatory for fishing South Africa had a significant role in the ongoing vessels to have satellite technology on board so negotiations concerning the Intergovernmental that their movements can be monitored. Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Globally Five coastal nations in the SADC have taken Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury, including the innovative step of linking their vessel- research into coal-dependent power/electric monitoring systems. Angola, Mozambique, stations and the situational analysis of mercury Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania have signed in the country. a MoU that will allow them to share information To align fragmented legislation, the department about the movement of licensed boats along the established a National Multi-Stakeholder Com- southern African coast. mittee for Chemicals Management to facilitate coordination. Strategic Environmental Assessment The National Waste Management Strategy In May 2015, the Minister of Environmental has eight key goals: Affairs launched the commission of a strategic • promoting waste minimisation, reuse, recycling environmental assessment of shale gas and recovery of waste development in South Africa. • ensuring effective and efficient delivery of The aim of the strategic environmental waste services assessment is to provide an integrated • growing the contribution of the waste sector to assessment and decision-making framework to the green economy enable South Africa to establish effective policy, • ensuring that people are aware of the impact legislation and sustainability conditions under of waste on their health, well-being and the which shale gas development could occur. The environment strategic environmental assessment will consider • achieving integrated waste management both the exploration and production related planning activities of shale gas development across • ensuring sound budgeting and financial different scenarios in a holistic and integrated management for waste services manner; and will include an assessment of all the • providing measures to rehabilitate contam- material social, economic and biophysical risks inated land and opportunities associated with the industry. • establishing effective compliance with and The strategic environmental assessment will enforcement of the National Environmental be undertaken by a science council consortium, Management: Waste Act, 2008. consisting of the Council for Scientific and The department was expected to establish the Industrial Research, SANBI and the Council for Waste Management Bureau from 1 April 2016. Geosciences. The bureau will largely work to reduce waste through recycling by monitoring recycling plans Chemicals and waste management and providing specialist services to government South Africa has taken a number of steps to and other clients. promote environmentally sound management of These services will carry a fee, as part of chemicals and waste throughout the life cycle, the department’s revenue generation activities. including being a party to a range of multilateral Some R79.4 million over the medium term has environment agreements and an active member been reprioritised in the Chemicals and Waste in instruments on chemicals and waste. These Policy, Evaluation and Monitoring subprogramme include the: of the Chemicals and Waste Management • Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed programme to fund the establishment and initial Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous operational costs of the bureau. Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade Youth Jobs in Waste and Township • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Greening Projects Pollutants These projects are funded by the DEA through • Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete its EPIP and aim to contribute towards poverty the Ozone Layer alleviation while empowering beneficiaries to

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participate in the mainstream economy. Collect-a-can, one of the oldest recycling The youth will benefit from this project through initiatives in South Africa, has been instrumental the formation of self-help groups, which will in creating a culture of recycling in South Africa. positively impact on their knowledge of financial It has obtained local and international acclaim literacy and self-empowerment. for its contribution towards protecting the The Youth Jobs in Waste initiative is focused environment, as well as its significant contri- on landfill operation and management, planning bution to job creation and poverty alleviation. administration relating to waste collection and Collect-a-Can has introduced millions of planning and undertaking waste awareness school children to the idea of caring for the campaigns. The people who will be assisting environment through its schools competition. with the activities will be located in the munici- Recycling has been valued at a contribution palities for a year. of as much as R50 billion to the South African The DEA aims to create eco-friendly economy. In effect, waste is now a renewable greener open spaces that are safe, attractively resource and not something to throw away. designed, well managed for the benefit of all our communities as well as promoting maximum Climate change and air-quality use of alternative energy sources and promote management an environment that is clean, green and healthy South Africa is making steady progress in for all. implementing the National Climate Change In 2015/16, the DEA invested over R180 Response Policy, despite having to balance million into the development of 30 buy-back its economic aspirations and environmental centres, of which 15 had been completed, 10 protection. were under implementation and five were in the Government continues to engage actively and planning stages. meaningfully in international climate change The Youth Jobs in Waste programme provided negotiations, specifically with the UNFCCC. 3 750 job opportunities of which 2 213 benefited The policy implementation actions and women and 78 benefited people with disabilities. activities flowing from this include the analysis of mitigation potential in key economic sectors Recycling as the basis for the establishment of desired The National Recycling Forum (NRF) is a emission reduction outcomes, and defining the non-profit organisation created to promote the optimal mix of measures for achieving those recovery and recycling of recyclable materials in outcomes, with the greatest benefit and least South Africa. cost to the economy. Members of the NRF include representatives Air quality remains an important and of: challenging environmental issue in South Africa. • the formal recycling industry in South Africa Technical and legislative tools have been • government departments developed to roll-out and monitor the implemen- • regional recycling forums tation of national environmental management • local government-based organisations including the: • local government utilities and co-opted • National Framework for Air Quality Manage- advisory members ment To promote the interests of its members and • air quality model by-laws the formal recycling industry in South Africa, the • Air-Quality Management Planning Manual NRF: • National Ambient Air-Quality Standards and • provides a national communication forum for Listed Activities and the Minimum Emission key players in the field of recycling Standards. • interacts with central and provincial Several of these tools were under review government to encourage the recycling of accelerate the ongoing implementation of the glass, paper, plastics, tin-plate steel, used oil AQA of 2004. and electrical and electronic waste The South African Air-Quality Information • facilitates the formation of regional forums System (Saaqis) contains the latest updated that draw their memberships from enthusiastic data on locations and can give the status of air and interested volunteers as well as small quality or pollution for a specific day and time on recyclers, in the major centres of South Africa its website: www.saaqis.org.za. • encourages the establishment of buy-back A number of air-quality monitoring stations, centres and drop-off points through the mostly in Mpumalanga, eThekwini Munici- activities of its members in the various centres. pality, the City of Johannesburg and the City of

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Tshwane, report to Saaqis. It will also implement policies and programmes South Africa reached legally binding climate faster and more effectively. As a result, it can change agreement at the 21st Conference of unlock the ocean’s potential to contribute up to the Parties to the UNFCC in Paris, France in R177 billion to the country’s GDP and create as December 2015. many as one-million direct jobs. The agreement was the culmination of a Aquaculture is a big part of that plan and four-year negotiation process that was initiated government recognises the industry as a way of in Durban in 2011 at the 17th Conference of the contributing to food security since it has shown Parties to the UNFCCC. strong growth of 6,5% a year. Operation Phakisa The conclusion to the Durban Mandate, which will look to grow all segments of the aquaculture was to develop a protocol, legal instrument or industry, especially by creating jobs within an agreed outcome with legal force, under the processing and marketing. convention, by no later than 2015, will see the Despite aquaculture’s advantages, the new agreement come into effect from 2020. wild capture sector remains fishery’s biggest In April 2016, South Africa joined leaders from contributor. According to the WWF-SA, wild across the globe in signing the Paris Agreement capture fisheries include commercial, recrea- at the UN in New York. South Africa is committed tional and subsistence fisheries. It estimated to ensuring that we continue to play a positive about 500 000 people fished recreationally in role in the building of a low-carbon, jobcreating South Africa. Commercially caught line fish was and pro-development green economy. about 16 000 tons, which placed pressure on fish resources. Environmental impact management National Environmental Impact South Africa’s environmental impact assessment Assessment and Management (EIA) regulations are: Strategy (EIAMS) • streamlining the EIA process The EIAMS consists of voluntary and regulated • introducing an approach where impact on the instruments where: environment gets more attention • regulated EIAs are used only when it is the • introducing a listing notice dedicated to most appropriate tool activities planned for predefined sensitive • EIAM occurs within the strategic context of areas. environmentally informed spatial instruments, The Environmental Assessment Practitioners’ sector strategies and policies (EAP) Association of South Africa aims to: • authorities have enough capacity with skilled • achieve effective quality assurance in environ- and experienced officials mental assessment practice in South Africa • other stakeholders have the capacity and • promote the empowerment of black and skills to ensure maximum impact on the female professionals within the environmental effectiveness and efficiency of the strategy assessment field • government regulatory processes have been • encourage continued professional develop- integrated and aligned ment for EAPs • government, EAPs, developers, and the • promote awareness of the purpose and community are equally committed to making practice of environmental assessment in it work. South Africa. 4x4 regulations The DEA has a new and improved EIA and The Strategy Towards Co-Regulation of the management approach. In addition, the Off-Road Sector in South Africa is aimed at department is using alternative approaches to minimising the impact of off-road driving on the environmental impact management. environment by giving direction to off-road users The department is already fully integrating and owners to develop and use inland routes waste and EIA. in sensitive areas responsibly. The strategy applies to the inland recreational use of off-road Aquaculture vehicles, including two-wheel, three-wheel and Government showed its dedication to aquaculture four-wheel vehicles, which include 2x4 and 4x4 with the launch of Operation Phakisa in July motor vehicles, quad bikes and motorbikes. 2014. The operation will look to unlock the A key outcome of the strategy was the growth potential of the country’s coastline, which development, drafting and implementation is in line with the NDP. of national norms and/or standards, with a

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supportive enabling legislative framework, to in South Africa. facilitate environmental compliance, responsible South Africa is a signatory to the UN tourism and the longterm sustainability of the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). offroad industry. Its main objectives include cooperation between The banning of off-road vehicles in coastal governments, organisa­tions and communities to zones has enabled several shore-breeding accomplish sustainable development, especially birds, especially the Damara tern and the African where water resources are scarce. black oystercatcher, to breed successfully on South Africa also acts as the coordinator for beaches again. The number of loggerhead the Valdivia Group for Desertification. and leatherback turtles hatching successfully The group consists of Argentina, Australia, on KwaZulu-Natal’s northern beaches has also Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and increased since the ban was enforced. Uruguay. The aim is, among other things, to foster scientific and technological cooperation. Coastal management South Africa has introduced legislation such as The ocean covers three quarters of the Earth, the NEMBA of 2004 to promote the conservation hence the importance of its protection. The of biodiversity, and fight desertification and land DEA recognises the challenges regarding the degradation. management of ocean spaces in South Africa’s As part of the UN international campaign adjacent ocean areas. to address global environmental deterioration Of the 200 estuaries found along the South and in particular, combat dry land degradation, African coast, 25% are in a degraded state. which affects up to one-quarter of the world’s This is due to inappropriate developments along land surface, the UN has designated 17 June the banks of estuaries and in their catchment as the WDCD. The theme of 2015’s WDCD areas. The department is focusing its attention was attainment of food security for all through proactively on these degraded systems and sustainable food systems. With the slogan “No prioritising developing management plans such thing as a free lunch. Invest in healthy to improve the functioning of estuaries in soil”, the WDCD highlighted the benefits of associated hinterlands. mainstreaming sustainable land management The Buoy Oceans Monitoring System, which policies and practices into collective response to provides information on the state of the oceans at climate change. Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park, is the first in a series of observation and monitoring Biodiversity platforms, which will form the basis of the South South Africa is home to some 24 000 species, African National Oceans and Coastal Monitoring around 7% of the world’s vertebrate species, and System. The DEA reviewed the Recreational 5,5% of the world’s known insect species (only Water Quality Guidelines for Coastal Waters about half of the latter have been described). intending to develop effective early warning In terms of the number of endemic species of systems to pre-empt the catastrophic impacts of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians found possible hazards. in South Africa the country ranks as the fifth richest in Africa and the 24th richest in the world. Erosion and desertification Marine biodiversity is also high, with more According to the UN Environment Programme, than 11 000 species found in South African desertification affects 900 million people in 99 waters, which is about 15% of global species. countries with 24 million tons (Mt) of topsoil More than 25% of these species (or 3 496 being lost to erosion annually. The resultant species) are endemic to South Africa, many land degradation costs Africa about US$9 billion of which are threatened, especially in river every year. ecosystems (82%) and estuaries (77%). Most South African soil is unstable. The South Africa ratified the Nagoya Protocol country loses an estimated 500 Mt of topsoil on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair annually through erosion caused by water and and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from wind. their Utilisation to the Convention on Biological About 81% of South Africa’s total land area Diversity, popularly referred to as the Nagoya is farmed. However, only 70% of this area is Protocol on ABS. The Nagoya Protocol is a suitable for grazing. Overgrazing and erosion legally binding agreement outlining a set of terms diminish the carrying capacity of the veld and prescribing how one country will gain access to lead to land degradation. This process has another country’s genetic resources and how the already claimed more than 250 000 ha of land benefits derived will be shared.

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The aim of the National Biodiversity and • Succulent Karoo (shared with Namibia) Business Network is to assist businesses from • Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Centre of various sectors to integrate and mainstream Plant Endemism, which stretches from the biodiversity issues into their strategies and Albany Centre in the Eastern Cape, through operations. the Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism Government and businesses are realising and KwaZulu-Natal, and the eastern side of that the economic and social development of Swaziland, into southern Mozambique and the country depends on healthy ecosystems Mpumalanga. and biodiversity. The South African NDP: Vision The Succulent Karoo Biome is one of only two 2030 confirms that national economic growth arid biodiversity hotspots in the world, the other depends on the environmental sustainability of being the Horn of Africa. the country’s proposed development path. There are eight major terrestrial biomes, or South Africa is the third most biodiverse habitat types, in South Africa, which are divided country in the world, after Indonesia and Brazil. into 70 veld types. These countries harbour most of the Earth’s species and collectively accommodate more National biodiversity biomes than two thirds of global biodiversity. Savanna Biome South Africa is a signatory to several bio- The Savanna Biome is the largest biome in diversity-related multila­teral agreements such as southern Africa, occupying 46% of its area, the: and over a third of South Africa. It is an area of • Convention on Biological Diversity Cartagena mixed grassland and trees, generally known as Protocol on Biosafety bushveld. • Ramsar Convention In the Northern Cape and Kalahari sections • Convention on International Trade in of this biome, the most distinctive trees are the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora camel thorn (acacia erioloba) and the camphor (CITES) bush (tarchonanthus camphoratus). • UNCCD In Limpopo, the portly baobab (adansonia • Convention on Migratory Species. digitata) and the candelabra tree (euphorbia The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action ingens) dominate. The central bushveld is Plan (NBSAP) is aimed at establishing a home to species such as the knob thorn (acacia framework and plan of action for the conser- nigrescens), bushwillow (combretum spp.), vation and sustainable use of South Africa’s monkey thorn (acacia galpinii), mopani (colophos- biodiversity and the equitable sharing of benefits permum mopane) and wild fig (ficus spp.). In the derived from this use. valley bushveld of the south, euphorbias and A scientific, systematic biodiversity assess- spekboom trees (portulacaria afra) dominate. ment for the country was carried out in 2004 to Abundant wild fruit trees provide food for many spatially support the NBSAP, titled the National birds and animals in the Savanna Biome. Grey Spatial Biodiversity Assessment (NSBA). loeries, hornbills, shrikes, flycatchers and rollers The NSBA was updated in 2012, forming the are birds typical of the northern regions. National Biodiversity Assessment, 2011, with The subtropical and coastal areas are home to many significant findings requiring conservation Knysna loeries, purple-crested loeries and green action. pigeons. Raptors occur throughout the biome. The implementation plan, effective until 2017, The larger mammals include lion, leopard, gives further impetus to the fight against wildlife cheetah, elephant, buffalo, zebra, rhino, giraffe, crimes, particularly rhino poaching. kudu, oryx, waterbuck and hippopotamus. The National Biodiversity Framework (NBF), About 8,5% of the biome is protected. The published in 2009, provides a framework to Kruger National Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier coordinate and align the efforts of the many Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, iSimangaliso organisations and individuals involved in con- Wetlands Park and other reserves lie in the serving and managing South Africa’s bio- Savanna Biome. diversity, in support of sustainable development. The NBF is a requirement of the NEMBA of Nama-Karoo Biome 2004. The Nama-Karoo is the third largest biome Three internationally recognised biodiversity in South Africa, covering about 20,5% of the hotspots are found in South Africa. They are the: country or more than 260 000 km2. It stretches • Cape Floral Kingdom (equivalent to the fynbos across the vast central plateau of the western biome) half of the country. This semi-desert receives

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little rain in summer. “broken” veld, mostly situated to the west and Rainfall varies from about 200 mm a year in south of the escarpment, and north of the Cape the west to 400 mm a year in the north-east. Fold Belt. Summer is very hot and winter is very cold with One of the natural wonders of South Africa is frequent frost. the annual blossoming of the Namaqualand wild Most of the plants are low shrubs and grass. flowers (mainly of the family asteraceae), which Many plants are deciduous. Trees such as the transforms the semi-desert of the Northern Cape sweet thorn (acacia karoo) are usually only into a fairyland. After rain, the drab landscape found along rivers or on rocky hillsides. is suddenly covered with a multicoloured carpet Common animals include the bat-eared fox, of flowers (from August to October, depending ostrich, spring hare, tortoises and brown locust. on the rainfall). This is a winterrainfall area with The riverine rabbit is a threatened species found extremely dry and hot summers. Succulents with in the Nama-Karoo Biome. thick, fleshy leaves are plentiful. Most trees have This biome includes the Namaland area of white trunks to reflect the heat. Namibia, and the central Karoo area of South The quiver tree (aloe dichotoma) and the Africa. human-like elephant’s trunk (pachypodium Because of low rainfall, rivers are non- namaquanum) are prominent in the Richtersveld. perennial. Cold and frost in winter and high tem- Grass is scarce. peratures in summer demand special adaptation The animal life is similar to that of the by plants. neigh­bouring Fynbos and Nama-Karoo biomes. Only 1% of the Nama-Karoo Biome falls within The biome includes 2 800 plant species at officially protected areas, of which the Karoo and increased risk of extinction. Augrabies national parks are the largest. Overgrazing and easily eroded soil sur­faces Fynbos Biome are causing this semi-desert to advance slowly on The Fynbos Biome is one of the six accepted the neighbouring savanna and grassland biomes. floral kingdoms of the world. This region covers only 0,04% of the Earth’s land surface. Grassland Biome Fynbos, which is found mainly in the Western The Grassland Biome is the second largest biome Cape, is the name given to a group of ever-green in South Africa, covering an area of 339 237 km2 plants with small, hard leaves (such as those and occurring in eight of South Africa’s nine in the Erica family). It is made up mainly of the provinces. It is one of the most threatened biomes protea, heathers and restio, than 8 500 kinds, of in South Africa, with 30% irreversibly transformed which more than 6 000 are endemic). and only 1,9% of the biodiversity target for the The Fynbos Biome is famous for the protea, biome formally conserved. which is South Africa’s national flower. The biome The Grassland Biome provides essential also contains flowering plants now regarded as ecosystem services, such as water production garden plants, such as freesia, tritonia, sparaxis and soil retention necessary for economic and many others. development. It holds important biodiversity of Protected areas cover 13,6% of the Fynbos global and domestic significance and value. Biome and include the Table Mountain and Trees are scarce and found mainly on hills Agulhas national parks. and along riverbeds. Karee (rhus lancea), wild This biome is not very rich in bird and mammal currant (rhus pyroides), white stinkwood (celtis life, but does include the endemic Cape grysbok, africana) and several acacia species are the the geometric tortoise, the Cape sugarbird and commonest. the protea seed-eater. Baboon, honey-badgers, The Grassland Biome has the third largest caracal, the buck and several types of eagle and number of indigenous plant species in the country. dassies are found in the mountains. Eight mammal species endemic to South Africa occur in the wild in this biome. Forest Biome The area is internationally recognised as an South Africa’s only significant natural forests area of high species endemicity for birds. The are those of Knysna and Tsitsikamma in the black korhaan, blue crane and guinea-fowl are Western and Eastern Cape respectively. Other among the birds found in the area. reasonably large forest patches that are officially protected are in the high-rainfall areas of the Succulent Karoo Biome eastern escarpment (Drakensberg mountains), The Succulent Karoo Biome covers a flat to and on the eastern seaboard. Forest giants such gently undulating plain, with some hilly and as yellowwood (podocarpus spp.), ironwood

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(olea capensis) and lemonwood (xymalos International cooperation monospora) dominate. Benguela Current Large Marine The indigenous forests are a magical world of Ecosystem (BCLME) ferns, lichens and colourful forest birds such as The BCLME is regarded as one of the richest the Knysna loerie, the endangered Cape parrot ecosystems on Earth, with ecosystem goods and the rameron pigeon. Mammals include and services estimated to be worth at least the endangered samango monkey, bushpig, US$54,3 billion a year. Offshore oil and gas bushbuck and the delicate blue duiker. production, marine diamond mining, coastal tourism, commercial fishing and shipping are Thicket Biome some of the most important industrial activities The Thicket Biome is the second smallest that take place in the region. biome in South Africa, and is known for its high The accord, signed in Angola, is a formal biodiversity. Subtropical thicket ranges from agreement between Angola, Namibia and closed shrub­land to low forest, dominated by South Africa that seeks to provide economic, evergreen succulent trees, shrubs and vines. environmental and social benefits for the three It is often impenetrable and has little herb- countries. aceous cover. Roughly 20% of the species found The Benguela Current Commission is a there are endemic to the Thicket Biome. permanent intergovernmental organisation, with The Thicket Biome, which is predominantly a mandate to promote the long-term conser- in the Eastern Cape, supports four species vation, protection, rehabilitation, enhancement of tortoise: the leopard tortoise (geochelone and sustainable use of the BCLME. pardalis), angulate tortoise (chersina angulata), South Africa has signed several interna- tent tortoise (psammobates tentorius) and tional conventions, treaties, protocols and parrot-beaked tortoise (homopus areolatus). other agreements supporting the principles of sustainable development including the: Desert Biome • Convention on Biological Diversity (ratified in True desert is found under very harsh environ- 1995) mental conditions, which are even more extreme • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (South Africa than those found in the Succulent Karoo and became a party in 2003) the Nama-Karoo biomes. The climate is charac- • Kyoto Protocol (signed in 2003) terised by summer rainfall, but also by high levels • UNCCD of summer aridity. Rainfall is highly variable from • World Heritage Convention (ratified in 1997) year to year. Desert is found mostly in Namibia, • Convention on Wetlands of International although it does occur in South Africa in the Importance (Ramsar Convention) (ratified in lower Orange River Valley. 1975) The vegetation of the Desert Biome is charac- • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory terised by the dominance of annual plants (often Species (acceded in 1991). annual grasses). This means that after a rare season of abundant rain, the desert plains can UN Framework Convention on Climate be covered with a sea of short annual grass, Change whereas in drier years, the plains appear bare South Africa ratified the UNFCCC in 1997. The with annual plants persisting in the form of seeds. UNFCCC is aimed at: Perennial plants are usually encountered • implementing urgent action, from 2013 to in specialised habitats associated with local 2020, including the adoption of a second concentrations of water from broad drainage commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol lines or washes. Nearer the coast, coastal fog and a number of institutional mechanisms also governs the distribution of certain species such as the Green Climate Fund commonly associated with the desert. • acknowledging the inadequate commitments The Desert Biome incorporates abun­dant to reduce emissions made thus far; a work insect fauna, which includes many tenebrionid programme was agreed upon to increase beetles, some of which can use fog water. There pre-2020 levels of ambition are also various vertebrates, including reptiles, • action for the future with the negotiation of a springbok, ostrich, gems­bok, snakes and geckos. legal agreement for the period beyond 2020. Some areas in this Biome are formally The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994. protected in the Richtersveld National Park. The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC meets annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The COP is South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 197 South Africa Yearbook 2015/16 198 Environment

the supreme body of the convention and is its specimens, fur coats or dried herbs. highest decision-making authority. South Africa hosted the 17th CITES (COP17) With 195 parties, the UNFCCC has near from 24 September 2016 to 5 October 2016 at the universal membership and is the parent treaty Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol South Africa demonstrated commitment to has been ratified by 193 of the UNFCCC the sustainable utilisation of natural resources parties. in contributing to socio-economic development Under the protocol, 37 states, consisting of poor and rural communities as part of the of highly industrialised countries and those development agenda of government. making the transition to a market economy, have legally binding emission limitation and reduction Montreal Protocol on Substances commitments. that Deplete the Ozone Layer The ultimate objective of both treaties is to In 2015, parties to the Montreal Protocol on stabilise greenhouse-gas (GHG) concentrations Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent celebrated the International Day for the Preser- dangerous human interference with the climate vation of the Ozone Layer under the theme: system. “Ozone: All there is between you and UV”. The launch of negotiations to shape the new The International Ozone Day is an annual global climate change agreement and first event that commemorates the date of the discussions on how to raise ambition took place signing the Montreal Protocol in 1987. South at the UNFCCC in Bonn in May 2012, which Africa, which became a signatory to the Montreal prepared decisions for adoption at the UNFCCC Protocol in 1990, has phased out CFCs, halons, in Qatar later in 2012. methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. South Africa played a leading role at COP 21 South Africa was able to meet the target in Paris, as the Chair of the Group of 77 and of reducing HCFC consumption by 10% in China, a group of 134 developing countries that 2015, which meant that the country remains are worst affected by climate change. in compliance with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol. UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) World Summit on Sustainable The UN CSD was established by the UN General Development Assembly in December 1992 to ensure effective At the UN World Summit on Sustainable follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 held in and Development, also known as the Earth September 2015, world leaders adopted the Summit. 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable From its inception, the CSD was highly partici- Development. Over the next 15 years, with these patory in structure and outlook, by engaging in new goals that universally apply to all, countries its formal proceedings a wide range of official will mobilise efforts to end all forms of poverty, stakeholders and partners through innovative fight inequalities and tackle climate change, formulae. while ensuring that no one is left behind. The SDGs build on the success of the Convention on International Trade in Millennium Development Goals and aim to go Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and further to end all forms of poverty. The new Flora goals are unique in that they call for action by South Africa was a founding member of the all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to CITES Treaty, which was adopted on 3 March promote prosperity while protecting the planet. 1973, but only came into force on 1 July 1975. The 17 SDGs are as follows: Signed by 149 countries, CITES is an interna- • Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere tional agreement between governments to • Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and protect endangered species against over-exploi- improved nutrition and promote sustainable tation through regulations regarding imports and agriculture exports and in some cases prohibiting trade. • Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution well-being for all at all ages adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of • Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality the IUCN. CITES accords varying degrees of education and promote lifelong learning protection to more than 30 000 animals and opportunities for all plant species, whether they are traded as live • Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower

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all women and girls • Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all • Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all • Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all • Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation • Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries • Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable • Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns • Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts • Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development • Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertifi- cation, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss • Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels • Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implemen- tation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) Rio+20 refers to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. The meeting took place 20 years after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, when more than 108 heads of State agreed to work together to develop national strategies to reduce carbon emissions, stabilise GHG, protect forests from destruction, and pay for their share of the damage caused to the Earth through pollution. At the Rio+20 talks 50 of the 193 member states of the UN launched new energy strategies, and private investors pledged more than US$50 billion to carry out the goal of doubling the share of global renewable energy and the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030.

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