A sustainable community strives to:

• Comply with environmental regulations
• Practise pollution prevention
• Actively involve its citizens and incorporate local values into decision making
• Support locally-based business initiatives
• Provide green open spaces
• Encourage the public and businesses to work together with government to achieve common goals

What is the Sustainable Communities Programme?

• The Sustainable Communities Programme [SCP] is a partnership between the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism [DEAT] and the United States Environmental Protection Agency [US EPA].
• The SCP is one of the programmes under the US-SA Binational Commission which is an agreement to exchange expertise between the two countries.
• The programme is based on the US EPA programme called the Green Communities Programme. The SCP has been running since February 1999, when it was first introduced to DEAT staff by the US EPA.

What is the purpose of the SCP?

• The purpose of the programme is to introduce and encourage the use of a planning framework that has a holistic approach to environmental issues.
• This will be achieved through developing a framework relevant for South Africa and then introducing it to local communities and municipalities.
• This is a planning tool for communities. It enables environmental concerns to be taken into consideration at the planning phase.

 

Steps for becomming a Sustainable Community: 1. Where are we now? The community does a self-assessment. 2. Where are we going? The community looks at its trends. 3. Where do we want to be? The community develops a common vision for their future. 4. How do we get there? The community develops action plans. 5. Let's go! Begin implementation of plans and submit an application for review.

Prior to becoming a sustainable community:

• Training in the use of the Sustainable Communities Programme.
• DEAT and/or its partners will offer recommendations and highlight other successful approaches that can be adapted to your community's particular needs.

On becoming a sustainable community:

• A joint community-DEAT press release (increased visibility for your local sustainability initiatives) will be distributed.
• Your success story will be included in the Sustainable Communities Programme.

On-going benefits:

• Opportunities to learn through networking with others pursuing sustainability
• Timely information about DEAT grant funds that could help support your sustainability efforts
• Status that can serve to leverage additional support and resources

The Green Communities tool kit, on which the SCP is based, is located on the Internet and guides the user through the 5-step process noted above. Tools, other resources, case studies, etc. are provided for each step. The address is http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/

Who do I contact for more information?

Tembeka Dambuza - 012 310 3470
Tshilidzi Ligaraba - 012 310 3557
Fax: 012 320 1167

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
P/B X 447
Pretoria, 0001

2nd Floor, Fedsure Forum Building
315 Pretorius Street [cnr van der Walt]
Pretoria, 0001