Data that are essential to monitor progress and
inform decision makers are made available through the
establishment of appropriate monitoring and evaluation
systems for the implementation of various environmental
programs. This provides a feedback loop to policy and
enhances policy making and political decisions. The
types of data that will assist policy development and
implementation are the following:
Data on the level of pollution and sources of
pollution, for instance developing air pollution
standards at the moment is difficult without first
knowing what the level of pollution is and its main
sources. Policy can only be improved if standards are
established against which to measure the impacts of
various actions. One of the stumbling blocks to
gathering data on pollution is accessibility to
information that is the property of private firms and
companies. At present there is not sufficient trust
between the private sector and government and this will
affect the way in which standards are set.
There is no comprehensive needs analysis of what is
required to implement the various policies and
legislation. This will assist in determining what kinds
of resources are needed for improving the speed and
quality of implementing environmental management
systems.
There is no effective measure or indicators to
determine whether we are succeeding with the
implementation of policy or not. The DEA&T compiled
in 1998 a document on indicators for sustainable
development. (See Results from testing CSD Indicators of
Sustainable Development in South Africa: 1998) The
document provides some indicators on issues related to
policy or implementation, but no indicators on how to
measure progress and effectiveness. This is a major gap
that needs to be addressed.
A much more comprehensive system of monitoring needs
to be put in place, in particular the effectiveness of
policy. At present, no such measures exist. To establish
such a system will be complex and difficult as we are
dealing with many different agencies at different levels
of government performing different functions. To monitor
effectiveness would also require that this be done
sectorially as a comprehensive audit of the environment
would not be possible. The use of Environmental
Implementation Plans under the National Environmental
Management Act may serve to be a useful tool. The
development of such a monitoring system and indicators
should also be done with the support and contribution of
civil society. Such a monitoring system should include
the key indicators:
- Changes to budgetary allocations will indicate
decrease or increase in political commitment.
- Number of staff dedicated to the implementation of
various environmental strategies and programs at all
levels of government.
- Implementation plans and programs of the various
government departments at the different levels.
- Increase in private litigation against government or
private companies that will demonstrate that the current
legal regime has effectively empowered public interest
groups or affected individuals and parties.
- The relative profile and changes to the professionals
and the workforce dealing with environmental issues will
also be an indicator of whether effective environmental
management systems will be put in place.
- Adoption of voluntary programs by private companies
and industry, such as the use of the ISO14001 standards.
(see Chapter 6)
- Number of fines or enforcement of various
environmental laws, particularly those related to
pollution.
- Number of media reports of incidences will be an
indicator of increased public awareness.
- Number of NGO and private sector partnerships with
the government will be an indicator of greater
willingness on all parties to find solutions to South
Africa’s environmental
problems.
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