The inclusion of environmental rights in the Constitution, the development of a plethora of new environmental management policies committed to sustainable development, and a marked increase in donor funding for environmental management are positive changes in the new South African political context. These changes have arisen from both national and international drivers, and are impacting on redirection of resources within the country from traditional conservation to people-centered sustainability management. However, the challenge for the future lies in commitment to implementation, as financial and human resources have not yet been allocated in proportion to the rapid developments in policy. Implementation must occur within the overall government objectives of socio-economic growth and development, alleviation of poverty, reduction of unemployment, and redress of inequity, to ensure sustainability of resources and ecosystem services for future generations. A critical requirement which still needs to be developed is effective measurement and reporting systems of implementation success.
Policy guides decision-makers in setting priorities and allocating resources.
Lack of policy can cause confusion over rights and responsibilities, and result in undesirable behaviours and disputes. In an environmental context, lack of policy can lead to abuse of resources, inequity and degradation of systems. The advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 has increased the participation of stakeholders and the public in policy formation. In particular, it has raised the level of public debate to promote policy aimed at achieving sustainable development rather than serving narrow group and sectoral interests. South Africa is ahead of many other developing countries in sustainability policy development because, in addition to several new, far-sighted environmental management policies, the Constitution makes provision for each citizen to have the right to a healthy environment, and the right to have the environment protected.