Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996
R 385
National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998)Chapter 5 : Integrated Environmental Management23. General Objectives |
| (1) | The purpose of this Chapter is to promote the application of appropriate environmental management tools in order to ensure the integrated environmental management of activities. |
| (2) | The general objective of integrated environmental management is to— |
| (a) | promote the integration of the principles of environmental management set out in section 2 into the making of all decisions which may have a significant effect on the environment; |
| (b) | identify, predict and evaluate the actual and potential impact on the environment, socio-economic conditions and cultural heritage, the risks and consequences and alternatives and options for mitigation of activities, with a view to minimising negative impacts, maximising benefits, and promoting compliance with the principles of environmental management set out in section 2; |
| (c) | ensure that the effects of activities on the environment receive adequate consideration before actions are taken in connection with them; |
| (d) | ensure adequate and appropriate opportunity for public participation in decisions that may affect the environment; |
| (e) | ensure the consideration of environmental attributes in management and decision-making which may have a significant effect on the environment; and |
| (f) | identify and employ the modes of environmental management best suited to ensuring that a particular activity is pursued in accordance with the principles of environmental management set out in section 2. |
| (3) | The Director-General must coordinate the activities of organs of state referred to in section 24(1) and assist them in giving effect to the objectives of this section and such assistance may include training, the publication of manuals and guidelines and the co-ordination of procedures. |
