Durban Metropolitan Environmental Policy Initiative

The Durban Metropolitan Environmental Policy recognises the role of the economy and supports a vision of Durban

'as a centre with a thriving, vibrant economy with full employment that reflects a balance between
social justice and well being, economic efficiency and ecological sustainability.'

In order to ensure that the economy is aligned with this vision of sustainable development the policy contains a range of provisions impacting on economic activity. The following objective, policy statement and possible implementation strategies directly address the envionmental impacts of economic activity.

Objective B4: To promote economic activity that maximises job opportunities which do not have a negative impact on the environment or on human health.

Policy statements Local government shall promote economic activity which enhances the quality of the environment and provides opportunities for small business development, for example, in market gardening, craftwork and environmentally sustainable tourism. Planning for the location of new economic activity shall take into account the likely impacts of such activities on the health and safety of employees and surrounding communities. The investment strategy of local government shall uphold safety, health and environmental standards and, where necessary, shall require environmental evaluation for new investments. As part of a clear and accessible system for facilitating development applications, local government shall assist developers in the process of meeting environmental permitting and evaluation requirements. Local government shall encourage self-regulation over and above legal requirements and provide incentives for small, medium and large business, industry and parastatals to improve their environmental performance by reducing pollution and demand for water and energy.

Possible implementation strategies Investigation of opportunities for sustainable local economic development e.g. ecotourism, market gardening. 'One stop shop' for processing development applications. Multi-stakeholder environmental evaluation of investment proposals. Multi-stakeholder monitoring of environmental performance. Economic incentives to improve environmental performance - including bridging loan finance schemes, loan guarantee schemes. Economic disincentives and instruments to account for environmental effects of economic activity, including the internalisation of environmental costs. Planting indigenous plants to be used for food, medicine and materials for craftwork.