National Framework for Sustainable Development 2007: South Africa
From www.entrepreneurstoolkit.org
Excerpts from the Framework, p. 11-17 [1]
Contents |
Rationale & Context
Sustainable development is about enhancing human well-being and quality of life for all time, in particular those most affected by poverty and inequality. Resource use efficiency and intergenerational equity are the core principles. If this generation leaves the next generation with degraded economic, social and environmental assets and less wealth, then the result will be an unsustainable future. Fundamental to understanding sustainable development is recognising the interdependence of our economic, social and environmental systems. (…) The achievement of sustainable development is not a once-off occurrence and its objectives cannot be achieved by a single action or decision. It is an ongoing process that requires a particular set of values and attitudes in which economic, social and environmental assets that society has at its disposal, are managed in a manner that sustains human well-being without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The way in which we live in South Africa and the development path that we are currently pursuing, has elements of being unsustainable and consequently not viable, in the long term. Our society and economy are characterised by the inequitable distribution of wealth and resources. (…) Environmental crises facing us now and the consequential adverse impacts on society and the economy, are symptoms of the weaknesses and sometimes absolute failures of current governance systems and industrial practices throughout the world to ensure that people do not progressively consume the ecosystems and resources on which their continued well-being and survival depends. Purpose and structure of the Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development The purpose of this Framework is to enunciate South Africa‘s national vision for sustainable development and indicate strategic interventions to re-orientate South Africa‘s development path in a more sustainable direction. It does not present detailed strategies or actions, but rather proposes a national vision, principles, trends, strategic priority areas and a set of implementation measures that will enable and guide the development of the national strategy and action plan. It describes in broad terms how the existing activities of government and its social partners will be strengthened, refined and realigned in a phased manner to achieve inter-related sustainable development goals relating to the economy, society and the environment, and how governance systems will be capacitated to facilitate this process. (…)
Our Vision
South Africa aspires to be a sustainable, economically prosperous and self-reliant nation state that safeguards its democracy by meeting the fundamental human needs of its people, by managing its limited ecological resources responsibly for current and future generations, and by advancing efficient and effective integrated planning and governance through national, regional and global collaboration. (…)
Our Principles
The first order or fundamental principles relate to those fundamental human rights that are guaranteed in the Constitution, and underpin the very nature of our society and system of governance. These principles affirm the democratic values of:
- Human dignity and social equity
- Justice and fairness
- Democratic governance
The substantive principles address the content or conditions that must be met in order to have a sustainable society and are based on principles already enshrined in legislation and policies. The principles underscore a cyclical and systems approach to achieving sustainable development and are as follows:
- Efficient and sustainable use of natural resources
- Socio-economic systems are embedded within, and dependent upon, eco-systems
- Basic human needs must be met to ensure resources necessary for long-term survival are not destroyed for short term gain
The process principles establish a few clear principles that apply specifically to the implementation of the national strategic framework for sustainable development. The most important in this regard are:
- Integration and innovation
- Consultation and participation
- Implementation in a phased manner (…)
Our pathways to sustainable development
- Enhancing systems for integrated planning and implementation
- Sustaining our ecosystems and using resources sustainably
- Investing in sustainable economic development and infrastructure
- Creating sustainable human settlements
- Responding appropriately to emerging human development, economic and environmental challenges (…)
Conclusion
To successfully implement this National Framework for Sustainable Development and achieve sustainable development objectives and targets, the nation as a whole must increasingly share in the common vision. All sectors, including all elements of the state plus civil society, organised labour and business, need to take part in the social contract to implement the NFSD and the emergent national strategy to follow. (…) In deciding on resource allocation and in making policy choices, the Executive should seek to give effect to the vision of sustainability. Priorities and commitments should be clearly articulated. While sustainability concerns do impact on all facets of life, we should keep our focus on the identified five priority areas for strategic intervention and the importance of mainstreaming these into the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiatives and related programmes. These priority areas should, over the coming three to five years, serve as catalysts for policy changes that will facilitate the achievement of the desired ideal state as articulated in the national vision for sustainable development.
