Institutional Repository

Evaluating the impact of environmental governance on biodiversity management in South African cities

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.advisor Chitakira, Munyaradzi
dc.contributor.author Naidoo, Santhuri Santhakumari
dc.date.accessioned 2017-10-25T10:24:08Z
dc.date.available 2017-10-25T10:24:08Z
dc.date.issued 2017-07
dc.identifier.citation Naidoo, Santhuri Santhakumari (2017) Evaluating the impact of environmental governance on biodiversity management in South African cities, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/23267>
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/23267
dc.description.abstract South Africa is recognised as one of the megadiverse nations of the world. In recent years, the South African Government has prioritised human needs, without adequately safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet, responsible for human health, well-being and ultimately, the preservation of the environment. It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that processes and policy frameworks recognise the significance of biodiversity and its role in ensuring a sustainable future for the country while at the same time ensuring essential services delivery to its people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of environmental governance on biodiversity management at the local government level in South Africa. The study was conducted in three Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from officials of these municipalities. Variables that were assessed include capacity assessment, intergovernmental relations, budget and biodiversity management. Interviews were conducted with the Heads of the environmental departments of the municipalities. A review of the defining national and international environmental law was conducted to evaluate the transformation, challenges and successes of biodiversity mangement at the local government level in South Africa. The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by local governments in implementing biodiversity management such as capacity constraints, lack of resources and the absence of a biodiversity mandate at the local government sphere. Integrating biodiversity management at the local level will only be possible through more robust policy development, stronger cooperation and communication among the different levels of government, as well as enhanced capacity (skills) and resource provision in the municipalities. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (xi, 92 leaves) : color illustrations, color maps en
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Biodiversity en
dc.subject Environmental governance en
dc.subject Policy development en
dc.subject Municipalities en
dc.subject.ddc 354.3340968
dc.subject.lcsh Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Biodiversity conservation -- Government policy -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Sustainable development -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Corporate governance -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Economic development -- Environmental aspects en
dc.subject.lcsh Environmental management -- South Africa en
dc.title Evaluating the impact of environmental governance on biodiversity management in South African cities en
dc.type Dissertation en
dc.description.department Environmental Sciences en
dc.description.degree M. Sc. (Environmental Science) en


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search UnisaIR


Browse

My Account

Statistics