Annual Performance Plan 2011/2012 - Department of Agriculture ...

PART B: PROGRAMME AND SUBPROGRAMME PLANthe cooperation with municipalities (Metro, District and Local), Provincial Departments, Public Entities,private sector, communities, CBOs, NGOs and Traditional leadership. Apart from fulfilling a legislativemandate, it is also to comply with International Protocols. This assists in avoiding conflicts of interest andto promote sustainability. The Department also facilitates the development of strategic environmentaltools and the reviewing of municipalities Integrated Development Plans’. We also participate in LocalGovernment Fora (LUMS, SDF, LED) to ensure that environmental issues are considered during theplanning stages. In order to ensure adherence to legislation and regulations, compliance monitoring,investigations and audits are carried out, and where required enforcement actions undertaken. Thiswill include the issuing of compliance notices, directives and ultimately prosecution. Environmentalgovernance is achieved through the Provincial Committee for Environmental Coordination (PCEC),adherence to the Environmental Implementation Plan and through sustainability monitoring andreporting. The Department also provides support to municipalities in order to ensure compliance withlegislation.Climate Change Mitigation and AdaptationAn important aspect of climate change mitigation and adaptation is promoting awareness on climatechange and global warming. The targeted audience are the communities, industries, municipalities andschools. The purpose of promoting the issues relating to Climate Change is to promote the responsibleuse of our resources and to reduce the emission of green house gases. In order to achieve theimplementation of the adaptation and mitigation plan, renewable energy systems are considered aswell as carbon sequestration and sinks. In addition, we promote the Clean Development Mechanism,using pilot projects and having a green house gas inventory developed.Environmental EmpowermentIn the Province there is a general lack of knowledge and understanding of the environmental andtherefore the Department promotes the environment through environmental education, awarenessraising, capacity building and information sharing. This is promoted at schools, with communities,NGO’s, CBO’s and industries. Although this is a legislative mandate, it is done to equip everyone,especially learners, with the concept of environmental sustainability. The education, awarenessraising, capacity building and information sharing is achieved through workshops, competitions andcampaigns. We continuously conduct environmental workshops to communities, CBO’s, NGO’s,Traditional authorities and educators so as to capacitate them on environmental issues. We alsoconduct environmental excursions for learners and conduct campaigns, road shows and informationsharing sessions when celebrating environmental days and addressing environmental issues. Attimes the Department is called upon to make presentations and to appear on radio to articulate onvarious environmental matters. In addition environmental resource material has been developed fordistribution to stakeholders, schools and communities to encourage good environmental practises.52 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN 2011/12