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Department of Environmental AffairsResponse to

National Planning Commission Diagnostic Overview

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DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW The table below demonstrates the diagnosis on cross-cutting issues

and planned actions by the department aimed at addressing the identified challenges :

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Diagnosis Planned Action

High unemployment rate and low earnings

Facilitation of Green economy strategy (green jobs potential) Scaling up Expanded Public Works Programme (creation of decent work)- sustainable land based livelihoods, working on waste, people & parks, working for: water, wetlands, coasts, fires

Labour intensive programmes aimed at providing employment (in most cases temporary in nature) there is also a focus on skills and experience to enable beneficiaries to participate in mainstream economy

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW The table below demonstrates the diagnosis on cross-cutting issues

and planned actions by the department aimed at addressing the identified challenges :

3

Diagnosis Planned Action

The quality of education for poor black South Africans is substandard

•Cooperation with the Department of Education, South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETAs) in supporting continuous review of environmental curriculum linked to sector demands (provincial workshops, training teachers i.e. Limpopo and Northwest

•Facilitating skills development for the sector (engagement with schools and tertiary institutions

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Diagnosis Planned Action

Poorly located and inadequate infrastructure limits social inclusion and faster economic growth

Improved environmental impact assessment processes (social and economic infrastructure)Contribution of environmental assets towards rural development- Creation of Community parks,

easy access (roads) Cooperation towards resolution of post-settlement claims & post settlement support- economic growth for communities (sourcing funds and technical support for communities post settlement of their land claims

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW CONT.

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Diagnosis Planned Action

Spatial challenges continue to Marginalise the poor

•Sustainable Land use management and integrated spatial planning (alignment of national and provincial sectoral infrastructure initiatives with municipal plans)

•Infrastructure development in rural areas (EPWP projects)

•Geographic Information System (GIS) based spatial land- use planning

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW CONT.

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Diagnosis Planned Action

South Africa’s growth path is highly resource intensive and unstable

•energy intensive coal-based nature of the economy

•Climate Change

•Natural Resource exploitation

•Threatened biodiversity

Fostering a global sustainable development agenda taking into account the natural environment as a material condition for development

•Renewable Energy deployment

• Mitigating & Adapting to the impacts of climate change

•restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems,

•Expansion of the conservation estate• Integrated and innovative approaches to natural resource management – establishing minimum requirements for biodiversity management in land use planning, biodiversity good-practice guidelines for SA

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW CONT.

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Diagnosis Planned Action

The ailing public health system confronts a massive disease burden

Ease the burden on health system by giving effect to the right of citizens to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being through:Reduction of atmospheric pollutants including continued roll-out of Cleaner fires campaign (Basa njegomagogo)Effective Waste Management (General, Hazardous & Medical waste)

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW CONT.

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Diagnosis Planned Action

The performance of the public service is uneven

•Local government support in environmental functions to improve service delivery

•Improved sector monitoring & evaluation capacity

Corruption undermines state legitimacy and service delivery

•Fight against crime and corruption

Integrated approach to prevention of poaching activities Cooperation with justice cluster on environmental crimes Improve compliance with environmental laws

South Africa remains a divided society

Contribute towards building cohesive and sustainable communities through implementation of expanded public works programme projects for the sector

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW CONT.

END

THANK YOU

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