The Western Cape has, in terms of chapter 3 of the NEMA, published the Environmental Implementation Plan ("EIP").
The purpose of the EIP is to, in respect of the national and provincial departments in question as well as all municipalities –
- Coordinate and harmonise environmental policies, plans, programmes and decisions in order to minimise the duplication of procedures and functions; and promote consistency in the exercise of functions that may affect the environment;
- Give effect to the principle of cooperative government in chapter 3 of the Constitution;
- Secure the protection of the environment across the country as a whole;
- Prevent unreasonable actions in respect of the environment that are prejudicial to the economic or health interests of other provinces or the country as a whole; and
- Enable monitoring of the achievement, promotion, and protection of a sustainable environment.
