The mission of this national biodiversity strategy is to utilize traditional knowledge, research, technology, innovations and best practices to protect the environment, conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems to benefit present and future generations.

This Act provides sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment. It aims to prevent pollution and environmental degradation. It prepares a framework for the development of the National Environmental Plan. It amends references to intensive conservation areas and committees and associated matters in various Acts; to repeal the Natural Resources Act [Chapter 20:13], the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act [Chapter 20:03], the Hazardous Substances and Articles Act [Chapter 15:05] and the Noxious Weeds Act [Chapter 19:07].

This is a Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention by the government of Zimbabwe on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The National Climate Change Response Strategy provides a framework for a comprehensive and strategic approach on aspects of adaptation, mitigation, technology, financing, public education and awareness. It aims to inform the government on how to strengthen the climate and disaster risk management policies.

The vision of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a Zimbabwe with resilient ecosystems and biodiversity values for social, political and economic development. The mission of the strategy is to utilize traditional knowledge, research, technology, innovations and best practices to protect the environment, conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems to benefit present and future generations.

Amendment of regulation 4 of the regulations; regarding the timeline for submission of pollution prevention plans.

The entire Southwest Indian Seamount marine protected area consists of two offshore restricted zones, which are determined using the World Geodetic System (WGS) of 1984. The regulations stipulate that no scientific research within the protected area shall be carried out except with a research permit issued by the Minister. It lists out the general restrictions within the protected area.

The regulations apply to all animals and plants listed in the schedules of the convention. The national minister for environmental affairs is empowered to be the authority on permit issuance, maintain international trade records, coordinate national implementation and enforcement of the convention, represent the Republic at national and international meetings, and allocate annual quotas to provinces. The duties and responsibilities of other management bodies are expressly stated.

The NPAES is the 20-year strategy for the expansion of protected areas in South Africa. The strategy shall be periodically reviewed at 5-year intervals; the 2016 version serves as the first full revision of the 2008 NPAES. It sets the priorities for expanding the protected area network for ecological sustainability and climate change adaptation, and conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity. The 2016 update contains new biodiversity data, newly declared protected areas, updated provincial protection plans, a review of the performance of previously declared areas, and a description of priority activities. The expansion strategy is expected to be carried out cost-effectively. Maps of the most important areas for the protected area expansion are set out, and recommendations are made.

The amendment notice contains redefinitions, the substitution of appeals sub regulations, and the addition of other sub regulations.

The government is taking a stance of imposing tax on greenhouse gas emissions and a provision of tax incentives as a reward for efficient use of energy; to provide appropriate price signals to help nudge the economy towards a more sustainable growth path. The tax is levied and collected for the benefit of the National Revenue Fund. The Act applies to persons who conduct activities in the Republic resulting in greenhouse gas emissions above the threshold stated in the schedules of the Act.

The entire Namaqua Fossil Forest marine protected area consists of one offshore restricted zone, six inshore controlled zones, and five inshore restricted zones, which are determined using the World Geodetic System (WGS) of 1984. The regulations stipulate that no scientific research within the protected area shall be carried out except with a research permit issued by the Minister. It lists out the general restrictions within the protected area.

The regulations apply to the categories of emission sources outlined in the annexure of the schedules, and data providers specified in regulation 4. There is a classification of data providers and registration procedure for the purpose of these regulations. The regulations seek to introduce a single national reporting system for the transparent reporting of greenhouse gas emissions; to maintain a national inventory, to meet international reporting obligations, and to form the basis for the formulation of legislation and policies.

The notice contains a broad specification of alien species prohibited in the Republic, and for which permits shall not be issued by the relevant issuing authorities.

The notice declaring the Amathole offshore marine protected area in terms of the sections of the national environmental management: protected areas act of 2003. The boundaries of the protected area and the geographic coordinates are specified in accordance with the World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 datum. The area is declared to preserve its biodiversity and the threatened species it contains.

The notice prohibits the making of fire in open air for state and private forests subject to fire hazards, specified in the schedule.

The amendment takes the form of substitution and redefinition of headings in the schedules of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulations.