 The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)
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South Africans have the constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is mandated to lead the sustainable development of the South African environment and to ensure a better life for all its citizens. DEAT aims to ensure these constitutional rights of South Africans by balancing environmental protection and quality economic growth and socially just development.
DEAT is also the lead coordinating partner of the UEMP. The coordination and administration is based at DEAT in Pretoria and DEAT also chairs the Programme Steering Committee (PSC).
Within the activities of the Programme, in cooperation with the other partners, DEAT takes leads, inter alia with the following:
Air Quality
The National Air Quality Management Act (2005) is the cornerstone for acceptable and healthy air standards. Current UEMP activities include:
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Air Quality - Lekgotla
This yearly capacity building conference that is open to all municipalities in the country is normally held in October. It aims to develop Air Quality Management know-how and capacity in all the participating institutions. The Lekgotla takes the form of a workshop, with a focus on the practical air quality governance challenges facing all spheres of government, especially municipalities.
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South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS)
The SAAQIS is a monitoring programme with the objective to provide all stakeholders in South Africa with easy access to relevant information about air quality anywhere in the country and with useful on-line applications to support effective and efficient management of air quality.
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DME Baza
Indoor air pollution in South Africa is among the worst in the world and a great threat to the health of particularly the poor people of the country. DEAT collaborates with a wide range of national, provincial and municipal stakeholders to form a comprehensive approach to the problem of indoor air pollution.
Planning: Integration of UEM in procedures
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The UEMP develops tools and systems to help with planning and decision making between various spheres of government. Municipalities are provided with guidelines for Environmental Management Frameworks (EMFs). These guidelines will ensure that UEM is incorporated into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and the Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) that support them.
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The development of an EMF for Sedibeng District Municipality which is considered an air pollution 'hot spot' country-wide is a priority. This EMF will be used to develop further EMFs across the country.
Waste: Preparation and implementation of the Waste Management Bill
DEAT, with support from UEMP, prepared this law which was signed of from cabinet in July 2007 for further process in the Parliament. Once in place, the Act will be a mile stone in environmental management and will provide the framework for waste management across the country. DEAT, with support from the programme is currently developing the strategies and standards preparing for later implementation of this act and guides provinces and municipalities in developing integrated waste plans.
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The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) contacts
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Ms Joanne Yawitch
(Deputy Director General, EQP) |
Tel: +27 12 310 3665
Email:
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Mr Peter Lukey
(Chief Director, AQMCC) |
Tel: +27 12 310 3710
Email:
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Ms Lize McCourt
(Chief Director, EPIM) |
Tel: +27 12 310 3972
Email:
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Dr Ranjini Pillay
(Director) |
Tel: 012 310 3032
Email:
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Nolwazi Cobbinah
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Tel: 012 310 3356
Email:
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