Strategic Environmental Planning and Assessment services

Strategic planning is a key service component in the environmental field. Many countries now mandate that both public and private sectors assess and plan for the potential environmental impacts of projects prior to implementation - South Africa is no exception. By proactively applying strategic environmental planning tools (undertaken on a strategic level as opposed to authorisation processes that deal with individual projects) we further the goals of sustainability, resilience, and integrated planning and see them realised in policy, spatial plans, and development plans. We have considerable expertise in strategic environmental planning processes, particularly strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) and environmental management frameworks (EMFs). Both of these tools spatially assess environmental aspects and sensitivities and guide future development towards more sustainable outcomes. We have compiled these strategic environmental planning tools for a range of clients and at a range of spatial scales, refining an in-house methodology aimed at optimising the national prescriptions. These projects combine our expertise in development planning and environmental management.

 Our project experience includes master planning for the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone, CSIR Scientia Campus and SABS Pretoria Campus, numerous strategic environmental assessments in Southern Africa, Integrated Local Open Space Plans, various Precinct Plans, Spatial Development Framework and Implementation Plans, and numerous Environmental Management Frameworks.

We are experienced in developing policies, strategies and guidelines that embrace environmental aspects, including water resources, renewable energy, climate change, natural resource management, open space resources, urban & rural development, and environmental management.

We have been involved in the compilation of the Ekurhuleni Environmental Policy and Compilation of an Implementation Plan, policy development for the integration of Environmental Planning in Rural Development and Land Reform projects, sustainable Transport chapter for the Tshwane Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP), City of Windhoek’s Environmental Policy, development of Guidelines, Biodiversity Strategy and Action plans, green servitudes tool, feasibility studies and numerous Municipal Integrated Environmental Management Plans and the creation of a Building Performance Rating Tool for the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) regarding environmental considerations.

Royal HaskoningDHV has a strong background and proven track record in environmental assessment and strategic environmental report writing such as State of the Environment Reports (SOER) and Environment Outlook Reports (EOR), with the necessary requirements in terms of skills, experience and qualifications.

 Our team has amassed experience in collecting, analysing and reporting on environmental trends and changes to understand how we are affecting our environment, and how we are being impacted by changes in our world to assess the success in reducing environmental degradation, prevention of pollution, improve climate adaptation and resilience, and promoting human well-being and quality of life. These reports identify environmental performance trends, and communicate credible, timely and accessible information about the condition of the environment to decision makers and society. Our experience in environmental reporting includes the South African Environmental Outlook, various Provincial, City and organisational reports.

 Royal HaskoningDHV is well-equipped to assist clients in responding to the challenges of conducting business in a socially, environmentally and ethically responsibly manner through the implementation and monitoring of sustainable triple bottom-line and sustainability reporting. Our specialists are certified to prepare integrated and sustainability reports – in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and protocols. The GRI sustainability reporting process is about effecting continuous change and improvement in response to a recognition of organisations’ environmental and social impacts.