Environmental & Mining Law – WC DIPPENAAR ATTONEYS & NOTARIES

ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL SERVICES

Principles of South African Environmental Law
- Sustainable development
- Duty of care
- Precautionary principle
- Life cycle responsibility
- Environmental justice
- Polluter pays principle
The Constitution and the Environment
- South Africa’s environmental rights are contained in section 24 of the 1996 Constitution which reads: –
  - Everyone has the right –
    - To an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
    - To have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that –
      - Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
      - Promote conservation; and
      - Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
    - Conservation of components of biodiversity
      - Wild animals
      - Plants
      - Marine resources
      - Endangered species
      - Soil
      - Wetlands
      - Water
      - Specific threats
        
        Alien and invasive species
        
        Genetically modified organisms