Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development

Environmental NGOs in South Africa concentrate largely on environmental justice and sustainable development. Their work examines the relationship between humans and the environment concentrating not only on the impact of humans on the environment, but also on the effects of globalization on the planet.

The unequal power dynamic between the North and South, including issues such as free trade and excessive Northern consumption and their negative consequences for the natural resources of the South is an important focus area for these organisations.

Environmental NGOs from South Africa played an important role in the civil society caucus of the World Summit on Sustainable Development that took place in Johannesburg in 2002.

Common programme areas for NGOs pursuing environmental justice and sustainable development:
– Campaigns against nuclear energy.
– The promotion of better waste management.
– Monitoring air and water borne industrial pollution.
– The promotion of alternative renewable sources of energy.

For information about NGOs working specifically in nature conservation, refer to the PRODDER Directory.

South African NGOs Promoting Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development

• Earthlife AFRICA
• Environmental Justice Network Forum
• Environmental Monitoring Group
• Empowerment for African Sustainable Development
• The Greenhouse Project
• Groundwork
• Group for Environmental Monitoring
• Sustainable Energy Africa

Related Articles

• Earthlife Loses Bid to See Nuke Files
• The Role of Environmental NGOs in South Africa
• IUCN and South African Government Facing a Conundrum With Ex Environmental Minister
• Green and Brown? Globalization and the Environment

Related Links

• The World Conservation Union: IUCN South Africa

Additional Resources

• Resource: Guide to Promoting MDGs in Sustainable Development
• Resource: Guide for Communities involved in EIAs

To contribute information to this development issue, please submit a query to editor@sangonet.org.za. We are particularly interested in information related to capacity building, case studies, debates, advocacy, research, resources and other relevant links.