An investigation into the efficiency of the reporting protocol of environmental incidents in South Africa
Date
2019
Authors
Sebele, Temperance
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Abstract
Environmental reporting has received the attention of many authors both nationally and abroad, however scientific research specifically on environmental incident reporting has been deficient both nationally and globally. This study evaluated the efficiency of the environmental incident reporting protocol of South Africa through identifying challenges and avenues through which effective environmental incident reporting can be pursued to create a baseline for improved environmental management. This study employed interviews, and questionnaires to solicit the research participants’ views on environmental incident reporting in South Africa. The National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Reports were also analysed to understand the institutional framework within which effective environmental incident reporting can be pursued. Judgemental and chain referral sampling techniques were used to identify respondents and content analysis was used for data analysis. The results showed that the percentage of research participants that said improvement was required in the current incident reporting protocol was 23% higher than those who said it was adequate and that of those dissatisfied with the way incident reporting is handled by relevant authorities was 30% higher than those that were satisfied. It was evident from the findings that improvement is required on the current environmental incident reporting protocol to enable efficient monitoring and enforcement. Legislation amendments, awareness programs, establishment of a forum and an Environmental Management Inspectors’ support unit was recommended to address the identified challenges on the current environmental incident reporting protocol
Description
This Dissertation is submitted to fulfillment the requirements for a Master of Science degree at the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
March, 2019