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Environmental Rights in the RSA Constitution: Fundamental Principles

Delve into the constitutional framework of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) in relation to environmental rights. Explore the significance and implications of environmental rights as outlined in the RSA Constitution of 1996, including legislative competences, administrative responsibilities, and key cases that have shaped environmental jurisprudence in the country.

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Environmental Rights in the RSA Constitution: Fundamental Principles

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  1. Environmental & Sustainability Studies (ESS) 122Lecture 2THE CONSTITUTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTProf TP van ReenenFaculty of Law

  2. The Constitution of the RSA 1996 • ‘Basic’ / ‘fundamental’ law of the land • Bill of Rights • Establishes spheres of government: National, provincial, local • Division of legislative competences • Division / allocation of administrative responsibilities

  3. ‘Environmental right’ • Kind of right • Human right • Right of environment itself • Categories of rights • Blue • Red • Green / brown • Environmental duty?

  4. The ‘environmental right’ (section 24)(1) • Section 24: Everyone has the right – (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing and (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measure that – (i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (ii) promote conservation; and (iii)secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

  5. The ‘environmental right’ (section 24)(2) • Paragraph (a): Fundamental (human) right • ‘Health’ (well established personal right under common law) • ‘Well-being’: meaning of? • HTF Developers Case 2006 (T): open-ended & incapable of precise meaning…contitutional objective • Hichange Investments Case 2004 (E): exposure to a ‘stench’

  6. The ‘environmental right’ (section 24)(3) • Paragraph (b): Directive principle – imposing a constitutional imperative on the state • Reasonable measures aimed at objectives in paragraph (b) • Grootboom Case 2001 (CC) • Sustainable development (b)(iii) • Fuel Retailers Case 2007 (CC) • HTF Developers Case 2008 (CC)

  7. Other rights relevant to environmental management • Locusstandi clause (section 38) • Just administrative action clause (section 33) • Access to information clause (section 32) • Property clause (section 25) • Limitations clause (section 36) • Interpretation clause (section 39)

  8. Division of legislative competence • National, provincial & local spheres of government • Schedule 4: (concurrent national & provincial) • Part A: • Part B: local government matters • Schedule 5 (exclusive provincial) • Part A: • Part B: local government matters • Constitution section146: National competence

  9. Division of administrative responsibility • Follows division of legislative competence • Assignment of administration of national legislation to provinces • Schedule 6 of Constitution

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