In South Africa, there is extensive legislation to ensure that the environmental effects of certain activities are taken into consideration before decisions are made. These activities are listed in regulations under Section 21 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989). However, the need to identify and protect sensitive environments has never been addressed adequately.
Before 1999, no environmental decision support and information management system existed for environment and conservation in the North West Province. As natural resources are under increasing pressure, largely due to human activities, it is becoming more and more crucial to make informed management decisions pertaining to the natural resources of the North West Province, the information needs to be readily available in an accessible format. The identification of environmental trends, for example, water quality would be one example of an application of such an environmental decision support and information management system.
North West Provincial DACE environmental information is currently being warehoused under one electronically accessible umbrella consisting of a Windows NT server or repository of environmental information together with programmes including Geographical Information System (GIS) because environmental management relies on spatial representation and modeling. This comprises the storage and management aspects of the Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS). The Windows NT server has the facility to allow several users specific user access rights to this information whilst ensuring security and confidentiality. The information databases will ultimately be accessible to all North West Province government departments, regional and district offices. Spatial viewing and analysis of this information through GIS programmes such as ArcView and Geomedia is also considered necessary.
Sound environmental management depends on the ability to make informed decisions, based on good quality environmental information. An EDSS relies on the collection of data through monitoring programmes (which may use environmental indicators), which is then warehoused in electronic format, for the purpose of SoE reporting. A model of the components of a typical Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) is presented in figure 17.1.1. All information generated or obtained by the NW DACE will ultimately become part of the decision support process, thereby continually refining and expanding the scope of the Environmental Decision Support and Information Management System. This can potentially play a role in the integration and harmonization of functions of environmental management organizations such as NWDACE.
Numerous GIS programmes are available for the spatial organisation and graphic representation and analysis of information. Most GIS programmes are only capable of generating two-dimensional models with several overlays of feature classes of information, which can be selectively chosen. Queries may be run using GIS for a particular set of output models, where restrictions or conditions on variables may be set using Boolean equations to analyse environmental scenarios.
However, with advances in technology, three-dimensional GIS programmes are now available. These are particularly useful for the modelling of three-dimensional environments such as the atmosphere, groundwater and geological formations. Some programmes even enable real-time interactive visualisation of geographical data for display, analysis and presentation.
The national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has initiated a national programme, the provincial Environmental Potential Atlases (ENPATs), to identify areas of environmental sensitivity (outside of protected areas) and to provide environmental management parameters for these areas based on their sensitivity to development.
The ENPAT is a digital environmental database made up of thematic maps. These maps range from pure scientific data (i.e. soils, geology, vegetation etc) to socio-economic and cultural phenomena (i.e. land use, land cover, natural heritage sites, special environmental features), so often overlooked by environmental studies.
Particular features on these thematic maps are evaluated for their sensitivity to development and assigned environmental management parameters. These parameters are guidelines and pre-conditions for development activities that may have a potentially harmful impact on the environment. In addition, they set limitations within which development should proceed in order for it to be environmentally sustainable.
These environmental management parameters are kept in a database that is linked to the spatial data using a specially designed ArcView GIS Viewer. The parameters are generic in nature, meaning that the same parameters can be applied to other similar features in different areas or provinces. A general graded sensitivity map, which is made up of a synopsis of all the themes, is also included as a layer.
The main purpose of the ENPAT is to pro-actively identify areas of potential conflict between development proposals and sensitive environments. It is a decision support tool to be used at a scoping level, i.e. to identify the important environmental issues that can be expected at a specific locality.
The ENPAT will also 'red flag' issues and areas of critical importance and provide a list of management parameters applicable for any chosen locality. These parameters determine the extent of the required investigations and direct the establishment of minimum conditions under which an activity can be allowed in a specific environmental setting.
The ENPAT is not a plan that assigns activities to certain areas, but it is a guiding framework within which development activities should be allowed.
DEAT has initiated the development of provincial Environmental Management Frameworks (EMFs) for South Africa. It is a tool designed to address sensitive environments nationally based on ENPAT. Due to the executive function of the provinces, delegation of environmental management EMFs are developed for each Province individually.
Firstly, the environment is evaluated for its inherent sensitivity to development, using various available data categories of environmental information (digital maps). Secondly, environmental management parameters are developed for the sensitive environments to ensure their protection and sustainable use.
The environmental management parameters are preconditions or limitations for activities that may have potential harmful impact on the environment. In the EMFs, environmental management parameters are presented in the form of prescriptions and guidelines that reflect the standards, norms or values set by society for the management of specific spatially defined environmental features. Some of these parameters are generic and can be applied in different parts of the country while others may be unique due to the limited occurrence of the features.
The sensitive environments and environmental management parameters are then linked spatially using a Geographic Information System (GIS). By using the dedicated ArcView GIS viewer supplied with the information, any non-GIS specialist can access the information for any specific locality required. All the data categories were also over-laid to compile a graded general sensitivity map, representing the total number of reasons for sensitivity.
The EMF uses the latest ENPAT data of environmental information for the North West Province, which is organised spatially using the GIS programme ArcView. Pertinent queries and attribute tables can be generated through this. Depending on requirements, conditions of approval for EIAs can be set using the EMF.
The EMF is a decision support tool for environmental authorities. It is typically used in the scoping process of Integrated Environmental Management to identify the important environmental issues at a specific locality. It will also 'red flag' issues of critical importance. In addition, it provides a list of environmental management parameters applicable for any chosen locality. The management parameters determine the extent of the required investigations and direct the establishment of minimum conditions under which an activity can be allowed in a specific environmental setting. Incoming activity proposals can be tested against the requirements of the environmental management parameters for completeness and flaws. However, users should always use the EMF in a responsible manner, knowing the limitations of the tool, being possible information gaps and relatively large scale. Integrity for the detailed evaluation of activity proposals still lies with the relevant decision-making authority.
Although updating will take place centrally at DEAT, EMF committees will be convened in each Province to determine information gaps and provide new material to improve on the EMFs. The choice of information to be used in the EMFs is made on the basis of what is the best and reasonably available data. The EMFs will be updated six-monthly initially and annually from a later stage, depending on how much new information becomes available.
A powerful environmental management technique is that of predictive modeling to demonstrate a variety of future outcomes or scenarios. These depend on what information is available to enter into the various equations and the range of possible trajectories incorporated in the design of the model. This relies on both spatial and temporal data, which must be of a suitable quality.
For the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, a popular modeling programme for water-related scenarios is the Hydrological Simulation Programming in Fortran or HSPF. It has recently been used in a pilot project in the North West Province on the Mooi River catchment near Potchefstroom.
The development and application of mathematical models to simulate the movement of pollutants through a watershed and thus to anticipate environmental problems has been the subject of intensive research for a number of years. An important tool in this modeling approach is the Hydrological Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF), which uses computers to simulate hydrology and water quality processes on pervious and impervious land surfaces, in streams and well mixed impoundments. HSPF is designed for easy application to most watersheds using existing meteorological and hydrological data.
HSPF consists of a set of modules arranged in a hierarchical structure, which permit the continuous simulation of a comprehensive range of hydrological and water quality processes. HSPF software is planned around a time series management system operating on direct access principles. The simulation modules draw input from time series storage files and are capable of writing output to them.
The system is designed so that the various simulation and utility modules can be invoked conveniently, either individually or in tandem. A top-down approach emphasizes the structured design which has made the system relatively easy to extend, so that users can add their own modules with relatively little disruption of the existing code.
The HSPF is able to:
HSPF methodology that can be used to provide information for the North West Province is as follows:
Another predictive modeling tool, which has been developed in South Africa, is the Integrated Catchment Information System (ICIS). This system basically comprises several databases of aquatic information that are compatible with a GIS programme. This spatial model can be used to show how different land uses in the river catchment affect aspects such as river flow. It is a powerful water management technique with a holistic and integrated management approach.
The integrated catchment information system (ICIS) devised by the Computing Centre for Water Research (CCWR) at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, is an attempt to combine and share as many different types of data, namely general and time series, and information between users (including stakeholders) into one coherent system, but with an emphasis on time series display. The ICIS:
Features of the ICIS include connectivity of the PC-based component of the system to a remote shared computer over the Wide Area Networks (WAN), which is informed and driven by catchment water resource stakeholders. They will be required to operate within a process which has all the characteristics listed above, if the desire is to achieve integrated catchment management. The development of ICIS has followed a hierarchical approach to the presentation of information. For example, in the physical component subsection, various levels of access are available for hydrological, geomorphological and climatological information. For example, in the hydrological section, there is an overview level, suitable for the user who would like to gain a brief insight into the hydrology of the catchment. From this level, further detailed analysis, or tools to provide detailed analysis are available for those who would like to obtain more detailed information- up to the level of data required. The same is true for any information presented in the ICIS i.e. detailed information for experts in a particular field, less detailed and easier to understand information offering greater perspective for non-experts.
The consolidation of environmental information into one accessible data and information warehouse has the potential to enhance the efficacy of environmental management in the North West and enhance the rapid dissemination of information and environmental reports.
A number of information management options are available for the electronic storage and access of environmental information. These include web-enabled, intranet or direct access to the server for users.
The EDSS can be used for the detection of long-term environmental trends and provision of relevant environmental information. Spatial representation of environmental information using GIS, ENPAT and EMFs are an additional application of the EDSS.
Environmental information can also be used for predictive spatio-temporal modeling of environmental scenarios using programmes such as HSPF and ICIS. This has potential applications for Catchment Management Agencies.
The EDSS has the potential to integrate the functions of environmental managers through the sharing and greater access to information held by different users.
Environmental reporting is intended to provide stakeholders or a target audience with environmental information on the current state of the environment, environmental management performance or particular environmental incidents. Environmental reporting strives to integrate often complex information into a format which is readily understood by decision-makers or the broader stakeholder base.
Generally, reporting of the environment requires information gathered from a monitoring system which should include a set of standardised indicators or parameters which measure or assess a particular aspect of the environment. This could be water quality or air quality indicators for example. Therefore, requirements and key elements of Environmental Reporting include aspects of:
Reporting is also very effective way of enhancing reputation and trust through:
The value of having an efficient and proactive environmental reporting system includes the following:
Internal reporting focuses mainly on evaluating the outputs in relation to the strategic objectives. Technical environmental reports which are specific to the operations of the institution are an example of such reporting. Through internal reporting, the department will be able to assess the effectiveness of its action plans. The frequency of reporting is also important as improvements or (lack thereof), can be detected at an early stage. This allows remedial mechanisms to be put in place timeously. This needs to be a coordinated function between the strategic and operational units of the department.
External reportsApart from reporting to other authorities that have an environmental responsibility, there is an increasing demand from employees, investors, environmental groups and the public in general for information on the environmental performance of institutions. External environmental reports may include quantitative information, for example:
Qualitative information can also be included in external environmental reports, for example:
Corporate environmental reporting is a communication tool for institutions to openly report on their environmental performance. Often using a standardised reporting format, environmental reporting provides a medium to demonstrate to stakeholders, shareholders or interested and affected parties the performance of an institution's environmental management system, functions, responsibilities and environmental codes of conduct.
The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) of 1998 requires that different spheres of government (particularly national DEAT and provincial environmental authorities) and state controlled agencies provide a number of reports concerned with environment and sustainable development. The NEMA chapters requiring some form of environmental reporting are the following:
NEMA chapter 3: Procedures for Co-operative Governance - NEMA chapter 3 which deals with procedures for cooperative governance requires that every national department exercising functions which may affect the environment and every province must prepare an environmental implementation plan at four year intervals. Furthermore, every national department exercising functions that involve the management of the environment must prepare an environmental management plan at least every four years. The environmental implementation plans and management plans are aimed at co-ordinating and harmonising environmental policies, plans, programmes and decisions of the various national departments that exercise functions that may affect the environment.
Provinces and other organs of state are mandated to report annually within four months of the end of their financial year on the implementation of their adopted environmental implementation plan and environmental management plan to the Director-General of DEAT. The North West Provincial Government has a responsibility to ensure that each municipality in the province, adheres to the provincial environmental implementation plan and environmental management plan. All the environmental plans, reports and agreements must be available for inspection by the public.
NEMA chapter 4: Fair Decision Making and Conflict Management - chapter 4 deals with Fair Decision Making and Conflict Management and requires that the DG of DEAT to produce an annual report environmental conflict management for submission to the Committee for Environmental Co-ordination and the National Advisory Forum. Provinces may be required to provide information for this report.
NEMA chapter 5: Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) - chapter 5 on Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) states that "the procedures for the investigation, assessment and communication of the potential impact of activities must ensure that reports on the gaps in knowledge, the adequacy of predictive methods and underlying assumptions and uncertainties encountered in compiling the required information" on IEM procedures are necessary.
NEMA chapter 6: International Obligations and Agreements - chapter 6 on International Obligations and Agreements stipulates that the Minister of EAT must report to Parliament annually regarding environmental instruments which he or she is responsible for. Provinces may be required to input into this report.
The NEMA chapter 6 also makes provision for the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to " initiate an Annual Performance Report on Sustainable Development to meet the government's commitment to Agenda 21. All relevant organs of state must provide information to the Minister by a date to be determined by the Minister for purposes of the report..". This report must "cover all relevant activities of all national departments and spheres of government" (Table 17.2.1). The purpose of this report is to:
Therefore, each province must compile its own annual performance report on the implementation of Agenda 21 to DEAT for input into the national report to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The North West Province's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, is the lead agent and has completed its provincial Annual Performance Report on Sustainable Development for 2001.
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Role of major groups |
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Internet based SoE reporting is and efficient and cost-effective tool for the dissemination of environmental information to the global audience. In electronic format, SoE reports can be regularly updated, as new information becomes available. Hypertext electronic links can be established with other pertinent reports, databases or websites. Local or provincial SoE reports can be accessed along with national or international initiatives through website links.
The website based SoE is also user-friendly, allowing the reader to navigate to sections which are of interest without being prescriptive. The design of the website can be consistent with the type of SoE model used, e.g. D,P,S,I,R framework. Information in this format is readily updatable, as SoE information is a continuous process.
Electronically based SoE reports also allow for the use of informative interactive graphical displays and greater potential for visual information such as maps, graphs and figures. Internet publishing is also a convenient method of obtaining feedback and evaluation from a wide spectrum of users. This also assists in refining the SoE process further.
Environmental reporting is a communication medium to provide objective and unbiased information to a wide range of stakeholders.
There are a wide variety of different forms of environmental reports, such as internal and external reports and corporate environmental reports, which have different purposes and target audiences.
The NEMA stipulates that a number of reports dealing with environment and sustainable development are required from different spheres of government. Two reports are specifically required to be submitted by provincial environmental authorities, namely, the annual report on the implementation of the provincial EIP and the Annual Performance Report on Sustainable Development. It is expected that provincial state of the environment reports will be required by the amended NEMA.
Environmental reporting can be used by companies or government departments as a valuable way to demonstrate performance and progressive improvement in environmental management.
Environmental reporting is one of the primary vehicles through which environmental awareness and capacity building can be created.
An environmental report can best serve its owners and audience by being transparent, easy to read, demonstrate accountability, being factual and verifiable, and informative.
| Environmental Monitoring | | | Contents | | | Overall Conclusions And Recommendations |