Environment and Tourism K O O B R A Environment E and Tourism Y A IC R F A H T U O S 0 2 / 9 1 0 South Africa Yearbook 2019/202 1 Environment and Tourism Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Creating jobs and work opportunities through composition, structure and function and thereby enhancing The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries the EPWP ecosystem services, such as: carbon sequestration, water (DEFF) is mandated to give effect to the right of citizens to an The DEFF’s commitment to job creation is reflected in its regulation and purification, reducing the risk of natural disasters environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing, and targets to provide 115 880 full‐time equivalent jobs (including by improving landscape/catchment stability and resilience. to have the environment protected for the benefit of present 22 650 forestry full‐time equivalent jobs) and 184 618 work The Working for Water project considers the development of and future generations. To this end, the department provides opportunities through the EPWP over the medium term. These people as an essential element of environmental conservation. leadership towards sustainability in environmental management, jobs and work opportunities will be made available through Short-term contracts jobs created through the clearing activities conservation and protection for the benefit of South Africans projects and initiatives that focus on: are undertaken, with the emphasis on endeavouring to recruit and the global community. • restoring and rehabilitating degraded ecosystems women (the target is 60%), youth (20%) and people living with The National Development Plan (NDP) sets out a vision (environmental protection and infrastructure programme); disabilities (5%). for promoting environmental sustainability in South Africa • expanding the conservation estate (Working for Ecosystems); The Working for Land project is an essential programme by making an equitable transition to a low‐carbon economy • protecting, restoring and rehabilitating wetlands (Working for of the Natural Resource Management programmes. Its key and transforming human settlements for improved local Wetlands); objective is to ensure that degraded ecosystems are restored to governance and spatial integration. Broadly, the NDP envisions • protecting water resources (Working for Water); their formal or original state wherein they are able to maintain or environmental sustainability and transformation within the • managing land use sustainably (Working for Land); support the natural species of that system. context of an integrated and inclusive economy that is • sustaining production, growth and transformation in the The Working for Wetlands project pursues its mandate of supported by a capable and developmental state. This vision forestry sector (Working for Forests); and wetland rehabilitation and wise use in a manner that maximises is given expression by Priority 1 (economic transformation and • addressing the challenges faced by the fisheries sector employment creation, supports small emerging businesses, job creation), Priority 4 (spatial integration, human settlements (Working for Fisheries). and transfers skills to its beneficiaries. In line with the EPWP and local government) and Priority 6 (a capable, ethical and Through the Working for Forests project, the department aims norms, the programme targets those groups most excluded developmental state) of government’s 2019 – 2024 Medium to sustain production, growth and transformation in the forestry from the mainstream economy, with particular emphasis on Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), with which the work of the sector. The programme is expected to achieve this through the women, youth and people with disabilities. DEFF is closely aligned. replantation of temporary unplanted areas, handing plantations The Working on Fire project employs more than 5 000 young Accordingly, the department’s ongoing objective is to develop over to communities, placing hectares (ha) of land under people who have been fully trained as veld and forest fire strategies and policies aimed at regulating and promoting the silvicultural practice (which includes weeding, pruning, coppice fighters and are stationed in more than 200 teams throughout sustainable use of inland and coastal natural resources; and reduction and thinning), and restoring and rehabilitating ha of South Africa. It addresses the prevention and control of wildland reducing carbon emissions, atmospheric pollutants and the effect state indigenous forests and woodlands. fires to enhance the sustainability and protection of life, poverty of climate change. As part of the national macro organisation of To address the challenge faced by the fisheries sector, and the environment through the implementation of integrated government, the Forestry and Fisheries functions of the former R894.8 million is expected to be transferred to the Marine Living fire management practices. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have been Resources Fund as part of the Working for Fisheries project The Working on Waste project is a proactive and preventative shifted to the DEFF, with effect from 1 April 2020. Over the over the medium term. The broader aim of the programme is to measure which recognises that inadequate waste services may medium term, the DEFF will focus on creating jobs and work alleviate poverty while empowering beneficiaries to participate lead to litter which is not only visual pollution but may lead to opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme in the mainstream fishing economy. Projects include conserving health hazards and environmental degradation. (EPWP). Other focus areas over the period include enforcing fish stocks, constructing and maintaining aquaculture production Spending on initiatives in the EPWP collectively accounts for and monitoring compliance with environmental legislation, systems and cleaning coastal areas. This investment is 44.1% (R12 billion) of the DEFF’s total budget over the Medium conserving marine ecosystems, investing in biodiversity, expected to result in the creation of 1 638 full‐time equivalent Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. monitoring climate change and air quality, and managing waste jobs over the medium term. activities. The Working for Ecosystems project aims to reverse Enforcing and monitoring compliance with environmental degradation through ecological restoration and environmental legislation maintenance programmes. It also aims to regain natural habitat Effective compliance and enforcement underpins environmental South Africa Yearbook 2019/20 2 Environment and Tourism justice and the integrity of South Africa’s regulatory system. As Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the • the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal such, the DEFF will continue to enforce legislation and regulations South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and the Management Act, 2008 (Act 24 of 2008), which promotes governing international trade in wild animals and plants at iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. the conservation of the coastal environment, and ensures ports of entry and exit. Deploying Environmental Management sustainable development practices and the use of natural Inspectors (EMIs) and compliance and enforcement officials at Monitoring climate change and air quality resources; all ports will require the procurement of office space, equipment To contribute towards the reduction in air pollution, the DEFF • the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 to handle animals, safes and microchip scanners. plans to increase the number of government-owned air quality (Act 59 of 2008), which reforms the law regulating waste This will enable officials to inspect an estimated 495 monitoring stations reporting to the South African Air Quality management in order to protect health and the environment by environmental permits over the MTEF period to ensure that Information System (SAAQIS) from 117 in 2018/19 to 125 in providing reasonable measures for the prevention of pollution; protected species and alien plants are not smuggled into and 2021/22. This will be made possible by an allocation of R148 • the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas out of the country. An estimated R661 million is provided over million over the medium term. This allocation will also enable the Amendment Act, 2009 (Act 15 of 2009), which provides for the the medium term for these activities. department to roll out the Let’s Respond Toolkit to a projected assignment of national parks, special parks and heritage sites 40 municipalities to integrate their climate change responses to South Africa in terms of the World Heritage Convention Act, Conserving marine ecosystems into its planning documents. 1999 (Act 49 of 1999); The DEFF plans to continue supporting research voyages to This entails reviewing the development plans of municipalities • the National Forests Act, 1998 (Act 84 of 1998), which promotes Antarctica, Marion Island and Gough Island. These expeditions and guiding them to be responsive to climate change, with the sustainable management and development of forests support long-term biological, environmental and meteorological particular focus on the effects of climate change on vulnerable for the benefit of all and creates the conditions necessary to research. To carry out this work, the operation and manning communities and sustainable economic development. restructure forestry in state forests