Subdirectorate: Environmental Information

The subdirectorate contains the following division.

Division: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Clearing House Facility

Mission:

To liaise between all levels of environmental management (NGOs; provincial, local, regional and international) in order to develop a national geo-referenced database based on quality environmental data which will benefit decision-makers in environmental management.

Functions:

• To assist conventions with the compilation of spatial data, eg. RAMSAR, CCD, Biodiversity.
• To assist programmes such as the South African Natural Heritage Programme (SANHP), Dune Atlas, Estuarine Health Index, Wetlands.
• To assist with spatial representation of data for the indicator series and the National State of the Environment (NSoE) Report and Cities State of
• the Environment (CSOE) report.

Contact details:

Name:    Deon Marais
Tel:        (012) 310 3673
Fax:       (012) 322 6287
E-mail:   gis_dwm@ozone.pwv.gov.za

Subdirectorate: State of the Environment

This subdirectorate focusses on creating a State of the Environment Report (SoER). The SoER contains information on the current state of the environment; trends in environmental quality; identifications of environmental pressures; compliance with international agreements and recommendations for improving the present state of the environment though sustainable management. The two divisions:State of the Environment Reporting and Indicators fall under this subdirectorate

Goals:

• To develop a state of the environment reporting system for South Africa.
• To develop a programme of environmental statistics and core data set matrix in support of the state of the environment.
• To co-ordinate research and monitoring in support of the State of the Environment report.

Division: State of the Environment Reporting

Functions:

• To develop the National SoE report on the Internet and in compact disc and printed format.
• To develop an integrated state of the environment reporting system.
• To harmonise SoE reporting in all three levels of government.
• Participate in preparing GEO and SADC SoE reports.
• Participate in preparing SoE report for the Antarctic.
• Liaise with UNEP-GRID and GRID Arendal on SoE reporting.
• Disseminate SoE reports for specific target groups.
• Determine data gaps in relation to SoE and initiate and co-ordinate research and monitoring activities to fill the data gaps.
• Establish a research and monitoring funding mechanism.
• Disseminate information through the clearing house facility.

Contact details:

Name:    Dr Rudi Pretorius
Tel:        (012) 310 3713/ 3693
Fax:       (012) 320 5469
E-mail:    omd_jrp@ozone.pwv.gov.za

Division: Indicators

Function:

• Develop a programme for environmental/sustainable indicators.
• Develop a programme for environmental statistics.
• Test Council for Sustainable Development (CSD) indicators.
• Develop core data set matrix.

Contact details:

Name:    Charmain Kruger
Tel:        (012) 310 3580
Fax:       (012) 320 5469
E-mail:    opv_ck@ozone.pwv.gov.za