Environmental management frameworks: results and inferences of report quality performance in South Africa

Environmental management frameworks (EMFs) were developed in South Africa as environmental management instruments to map environmental sensitivity in to aid the screening out of undesired developments and to minimise unnecessary level environmental impact assessment (EIA) in preferred development areas. article reports on the quality performance of a sample of seven EMFs conducted in Africa, in terms of document and procedural quality. To this end, 13 measures (sub-criteria) were developed and classified into five thematic areas (review criteria), which the EMF documents were appraised using a six-level rating. The review were developed around the validity of sensitivity mapping methodology; the to which potential developments were identified as either desired or ; the effectiveness of EMF outcomes in relation to the broader decision context; integration of stakeholder engagement inputs into EMF outcomes and sufficiency of provisions spelling out the implementation of EMF outcomes. Public emerged as the weakest component of EMF practice, while certain of sensitivity analysis also performed weaker than other review areas. More is required on aligning scales and resolutions of map inputs, mapping methods general integration of spatial data. The practice of conducting EMF is well , and can make a valuable contribution to inform strategic planning and to the effectiveness of EIA screening in South Africa, provided that appropriate in quality are made, along with proper implementation of the instrument the authorities, including their formal adoption.