Sustainability

ABOUT US:

The Directorate: Sustainability’s main vision is the mainstreaming of sustainability in the Western Cape in alignment to the Provincial Strategic Goal 4 (PSG 4), namely, to enable a resilient, sustainable, quality and inclusive living environment. The Directorate works towards this vision through a holistic and coordinated approach in championing Innovation, Sustainability, Resource Efficiency, Environmental Economy Green Jobs, and Environmental Education and Awareness through policy and practice or to a particular strategic issue. The Directorate furthermore works towards the aligning of sustainability objectives and outcomes throughout the Department, Western Cape Government and the Western Cape more broadly.

SERVICES:

1. Environmental Education and Awareness (EEA)

• Western Cape Environmental Education Forum 
• Support programmes: Teacher and Learner Support programmes
• Greenest Municipality Competition (GMC)
• Government Employees Training

2. Sustainability Integration and Reporting

• State of the Environment Outlook Report 
• Environmental Implementation Plan/Environmental Management Plan (EIP/EMP)
• Research, Innovation and sustainability knowledge management

3. Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)

• EPWP Environment & Culture (EAC) sector coordination
• Project implementation, unlocking potential and leveraging private sector investment

4. Green Economy Reporting

• Green Economy Indicator Reporting
• Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP)
• Too wise to waste (2W2W)

State of Environment Outlook Report 2024

The Western Cape State of Environment Outlook Report, as required in terms of section 16A (1) of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA), is in its fourth generation and fourth reporting cycle. The Western Cape has a strong record of publishing the State of Environment Outlook Reports since the early 2000s, bringing a favourable opportunity to refine the scope, objectives and outcomes of the State of Environment Outlook Report, as an instrument towards identifying and responding to the Western Cape’s sustainability trends of concern.

The current sustainability outlook for the Western Cape reveals a mixed scenario of progress and ongoing challenges. Despite improvements in protecting biodiversity through increased conservation area, biodiversity is threatened by a declining ecosystem status for the Western Cape, the inadequate management of invasive alien plants, and ongoing habitat loss, particularly of threatened ecosystems. Urgent action is needed to address coastal issues such as ecosystem transformation, pollution, and declining fish resources. Water scarcity poses significant risks to ecological reserves, agricultural production, infrastructure, and the economy, while waste management facilities are critically overburdened, exacerbated by regulatory non-compliance and service delivery challenges. Although air quality of the province is stable, its monitoring is in a state of decline. On a positive note, provincial sustainability is supported by renewable energy initiatives, agricultural responses to climate change, alongside improving settlement and housing quality. However, balancing land transformation, overcoming fiscal and economic constraints, and adapting to climate change are crucial for achieving long-term resilience and equitable development in the region.

Below are the links to the various sections of the Western Cape State of the Environment Outlook Report:

GENERAL ENQUIRIES