the significant threat of global climate change. In short,
it appears we are losing the battle to conserve biodiversity largely because we do not have the political willpower to effect the much-needed change.
tected Area Expansion Strategy; National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act),
all of which are fully aligned to South Africa’s obligations under the international Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) and its associated Aichi Targets.
Biodiversity Conservation in the Western Cape
South Africa has a history of comparatively good govEnvironmental and biodiversity legislation within the
ernance when it comes to biodiverWestern Cape Province have largely
Aichi Targets
sity conservation. We have a wellbeen deployed via the associated
developed suite of environmental
environmental and land-use planAt the 10th Climate Change
legislation that endorses both envining suite of legislation, and the
Conference of the Parties
(COP10), it was agreed that the
ronmental protection and wise
Western Cape Nature Conservation
previous
biodiversity
protection
stewardship of our natural reOrdinance No 19 of 1974 and its
targets were not achieved. A
sources. This legislative policy is
associated Regulations, respectivenew, short- term plan was deenshrined in our Constitution
ly. While environmental legislation
vised (Strategic Plan for Biodi(section 24 [‘Environment’] of the
(planning, waste, pollution, etc.)
versity 2011-2020), which proBill of Rights) and is evident in our
had been modernised and updated
vides a set of 20 ambitious yet
achievable
targets.
These
are
National legislation (Marine Living
continuously over the last number
collectively called the Aichi TarResources Act; National World Herof years and in alignment with nagets.
itage Act; National Environmental
tional legislation, the outdated bioManagement Act [NEMA]; National
diversity legislation has only recentWater Act, National Environmental Management Act:
ly been addressed. The provincial Department of EnviProtected Areas [NEM:PA]; National Environmental
ronmental Affairs and Development Planning is currentManagement: Biodiversity Act [NEM:BA]; National Bioly at an advanced stage of formulating a Biodiversity
diversity Strategy & Action Plan [NBSAP]; National ProBill that will implement biodiversity planning, regulaGreen design has become an increasingly important tool to make cities more competitive, attractive,
liveable and efficient.
Photo: Gavin Maneveldt