The development of a number of new environmental policies, the inclusion of environmental rights in the Constitution, and the increased funding for environmental issues are positive changes in the South African political environment. These changes have arisen from both national and international pressures, and in turn, are having national and international impacts, such as redirection of funding within the country, and a marked increase in donor funding from outside South Africa.

However, the challenge for the future lies in implementation, as financial and human resources have not been allocated in proportion to the rapid developments in policy. Implementation must occur within the overall government objectives of development, alleviation of poverty, reduction of unemployment, and redressing of inequity, and is also conditional on legislative procedures such as the Integrated Development Plans and Local Development Objectives. These may act as constraints in the sense that they may slow the process of implementation, but also as opportunities in that they will ensure better co-operation and integration, and enhance the effectiveness of environmental programmes.