National Environmental Management Research Articles

A critical appraisal of Uzani Environmental Advocacy CC v BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd 2019 (5) SA 275 (GP)

ABSTRACT The recent court judgment of Uzani Environmental Advocacy CC v BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd 2019 (5) SA 275 (GP) found BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd (BP) guilty of environmental offences. The Court held that BP commenced with listed activities related to upgrades and construction work of filling stations without the necessary environmental authorisations (EAs) required by the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and the Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989 (ECA). Section 24 G of NEMA, however, allows for the rectification of the unlawful commencement or continuation of a listed activity conducted in the absence of the required EAs. Section 24 G therefore permits the ex post facto legalising or retrospective authorisation of the unlawful acts. In the case at hand, BP was found guilty, despite having applied for an ex post facto authorisation. This paper engages with the arguments put forward by the court, reflects on insights brought about by the foreign law, and provides possible recommendations for the retrospective environmental authorisation regime in South Africa.

Systemic and Structural Challenges to Sustainable Water Management in South Africa

South Africa is a water-scarce country, a challenge which has been exacerbated by reduced precipitation and high levels of evaporation. Despite this state of affairs, water use and consumption has increased three folds in the past 25 years and this is projected to continue increasing in the next 50 years. As a response to the current and projected water crisis, South Africa, has developed and started implementing progressive water resource policies and strategies to optimise its water resources. Post-independence in 1994, the government introduced the National Environmental Management Act of 1998, Water Service Act 108 of 1997, National Water Act (NWA) 36 of 1998 and National Water Resource Strategy 2004 (1), 2013 (2), 2020 (3), and numerous other strategies to improve the management of water resource. While some of these policies and strategies have achieved significant successes, a majority of them have failed to address the structural and systemic challenges of sustainably managing water resources in the country. This paper, using data obtained through an empirical investigation, presents and discusses systemic and structural processes and mechanism which hamper the sustainable management of water resources for socio-economic and national development. A key point of discussion for this paper revolves around the silo approach used in the management of water resources in South Africa which give rise to massive fragmentations in the policy framework. It is, thus, recommended that for South Africa, to achieve some of the sustainable development targets, there is an urgent need for the country to adopt and implement principles of water resource management embedded in the integrated water resource management (IWRM) framework.

Developing a Strategy For Efficient Environmental Authorisation of Activities Affecting Wetlands in South Africa: Towards a Wise-Use Approach

South Africa is a party to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat of 1971 (also referred to as the Ramsar Convention). Article 3(1) of the Ramsar Convention makes provision for the wise use of wetlands, which is defined as the “maintenance of the ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”. The Conference of the Parties has agreed on inherent weaknesses that could lead to the hampering of wise use. These weaknesses include, but are not limited to, authorities working in isolation; and the lack of communication between public and private sectors or technical personnel (environmental impact assessment specialists). Within the enabling provisions of South Africa’s EIA regulations, reference is made to “water source”, “water resource”, “wetland” and “ecosystem”. All these terms are read to include a wetland. However, whereas the terms “water source”, “water resource” and “wetland” are defined in the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA), an “ecosystem” is defined in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEMBA), and “water source” is defined in the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (CARA). Furthermore, the administration of the NWA is with the Department of Water and Sanitation, while NEMBA is with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, and CARA is with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. This multiplicity, combined with the application of the various specific environmental management acts (SEMAs), complicates the manner in which an EIA application is considered. This is so in that the national environmental framework casts the net wide in identifying the competent authority, but also in its effect on wise use decision making on activities pertaining to wetlands. In light of the aforementioned, this article aims to address the shortfalls and make recommendations that promote wise use.

The Proposed Amendment to the Definition of “Veldfire” as Articulated by The National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill [B22–2016

It goes without saying that fire is an important factor in the development of humankind. When humans first discovered fire, it instantly became their best friend. Fire enabled early humans to light up the dark, indulge in cooked meals and provide warmth for their bodies and homes. However, even before they figured out how to manually reproduce fire, it existed in nature. Fire, and specifically “veldfire”, exists naturally and does not need the agency of man.Today, severe drought, specific weather conditions (for example, high temperatures, high wind speed and low rainfall combine to induce favourable veldfire conditions) and an array of other factors (such as topography, land size, fuel type, population density (human influence) and climate change) all increase the possibility of a veldfire occurring. Owing to these contributing factors, fire has become both friend and, in some instances, deadly foe. For example, fire is used as a friendly management tool to prevent or lower the risk of veldfire, while an example of fire as foe are what are now commonly known as the “Knysna Fires” of 2017, which remain a vivid reminder of what uncontrolled fires can do. This type of fire not only damaged social, economic and environmental assets, it also quickly escalated into an emergency incident. An “incident” is defined in s 30(a) of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 to mean “an unexpected sudden occurrence, including a major emission, fire or explosion leading to serious danger to the public or potentially serious pollution of or detriment to the environment, whether immediate or delayed.” The Knysna Fires are a classic example of why managing veldfires in an integrated way is important within a South African context and are one of the main reasons for the promulgation of the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (101 of 1998) (NV&FFA) (s 3).Regrettably, however, the NV&FFA defines neither “veld” nor “veldfire”. Instead, it defines “fire” to “include a veldfire” and goes on inadequately to explain that “veldfire” means “veld, forest and mountain fire”. Taking the above reasoning into consideration, arguably one of the main challenges of the NV&FFA is the strict interpretation and inadequacy of the term “veldfire”. In refreshing contrast, however, the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill (the Bill) aims to provide more meaning to the term “veldfire”.
 The purpose of this note is therefore a critical analysis of the proposed amendment to the definition of veldfire by: providing legislative background to the term “veldfire”; investigating the way the courts of the past have interpreted the term legislative background and consequently “veldfire”; explaining why the proposal to amend the term “veldfire” is important; briefly looking at how other countries define their equivalent of South Africa’s “veldfire”; and, lastly, by providing remarks and suggestions.

Evaluating the current status of the national health, safety and environment management system for integration, harmonization, and standardization of environmental protection

Evaluating the current status of the national health, safety and environment management system for integration, harmonization, and standardization of environmental protection

Оценка текущего состояния национальной системы управления здоровьем, безопасностью и экологией с целью интеграции, гармонизации и стандартизации защиты окружающей среды

Оценка текущего состояния национальной системы управления здоровьем, безопасностью и экологией с целью интеграции, гармонизации и стандартизации защиты окружающей среды

Opportunities for women in the green economy and environmental sectors

AbstractSouth Africa's National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) recognises the important role of women and youth in environmental management and development. To this end, significant strides have been made by the country in gender mainstreaming. The “Environment Sector Gender Framework” and the “Framework and Strategy Toward Gender Mainstreaming in the Environment Sector 2016–2021” are some of the policy frameworks that have been implemented. In addition, a number of initiatives and programmes such as the Green Fund, established in April 2012, the Groen Sebenza Learnership Programme, and environmental conservation through the Expanded Public Works Programme have been developed. Using a mixed method research design approach, the paper attempts to answer the following questions: Are the concerns and perspectives of women sufficiently integrated in the green economy and environmental sector policies and programmes? What green economy and environmental sector projects are women involved in and what is the proportion of women involved in such projects? Through simple random sampling, the study established that space has been created for women involvement in the green economy and environmental sectors. However, there still remains a need to raise awareness of the available opportunities and interventions to build capacity at project conceptualisation and management levels. The involvement of women further requires meaningful public participation, social inclusion, and the devolution and decentralisation of decision‐making processes.

What happens on the beach stays on the beach: a speculative legal analysis of nudism in South African protected areas

ABSTRACT The Hibiscus Coast Municipality assumed it had the authority to issue or amend bylaws to formalise an existing nudist friendly beach within the Mpenjati Nature Reserve. Following a complaint, the Public Protector concluded the same when she investigated the legality of the Municipality's actions. Two immediate questions arise. The first, whether the Municipality and the Public Protector were correct in their view that the Municipality has the authority over the beach irrespective of the presence of a protected area, and the second, whether nudism is a legal activity therein. Both the Municipality and the Public Protector overlooked the relevance of the nudist friendly beach being located within a protected area and the power of the management authority to determine the nature of the tourism that takes place therein. Nudism within a protected area appears not to be in conflict with the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1969 and hence may be a legitimate activity within such area. The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 and the Regulations thereunder appear not to contain provisions that prohibit nudism or other niche nature based tourism activities. Provided that the activity conforms to the purpose of the Act and proteced area management plan and zonation and does not pose a significant physical risk to the integrity of the protected area, the conservation agency may be hard-pressed to refuse a request for a niche nature based tourism activity, such as nudism, to be included in the zonation - should one be received.1 Key words: Municipality, National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, nature based tourism, nudist friendly beach, protected area, Public Protector, Sexual Offences Act, zonation.

Learnings from recent offshore project proposal submissions

The offshore project proposal (OPP) process was introduced in 2014 as part of the streamlining of regulatory processes under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to provide for offshore petroleum developments to be assessed early in the project lifecycle. The OPP process involves the assessment of environmental impacts and risks of petroleum activities conducted over the life of an offshore project by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). An OPP for an offshore project must be accepted by NOPSEMA before a titleholder can submit environment plans for activities that make up the offshore project. Although the OPP process is not new, it has proven complex to navigate, with four revisions to the OPP contents requirements guideline published by NOPSEMA since inception, and only three OPPs reaching the public consultation stage to date. An OPP is required to describe the offshore project; describe the environment that may be affected by the project; set out environmental performance outcomes for the project; describe feasible alternatives to the project or its activities; and evaluate environmental impacts and risks of the project. This paper provides insight to the OPP drafting, submission and assessment process, with shared key learnings based on actual examples of OPP submissions made. In particular, we will focus on the crucial elements that haven proven to make an OPP submission effective, including project aspect scoping, understanding relationships between aspects and receptors, building flexibility within set project boundaries and demonstrating acceptability.

Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Umoja Innercore Estate, Nairobi

Water quality is one of the main indicators of the quality of service provided to consumers. Quality has an impact on both the public health and aesthetic value of water as a consumable product. Kenya is classified as a water-scarce country with only 647 cubic meters of renewable freshwater per capita. Water distributed in Nairobi is faced with a myriad of challenges leading to a compromise to its quality. This study focused on evaluating quality of drinking water since human health depends on adequate, clean, reliable water. Analyses were carried out at National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) accredited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) laboratories to determine the chemical, bacteriological and physical characteristics of consumed water in Umoja Innercore Estate in Nairobi. In the study area, 7 HH and 6 BH sites were randomly distributed. pH, turbidity and temperature measurements were analyzed in-situ while bacteria and chemicals were analyzed in laboratories. The study found that 100% of boreholes recorded unsatisfactory water with up to 1100 of Escherichia coli (E. coli) showing high contamination with faecal coliforms and 83% of boreholes recording pH of up to 9.53. Dissolved oxygen was 5.08 mg/L below recommended 12.0 mg/L, salinity of 0.47 mg/L and 0.03 mg/L for boreholes and households respectively. The study reveals the deprived quality of water available to the residents of Umoja Innercore, Nairobi. The study recommends the use of biosand filtration methods for septic tanks, digging of deeper boreholes and lining septic tanks with impermeable materials to prevent contamination of ground water with raw water from septic.

Case Note: Locus standi to institute a private prosecution of environmental offences in South Africa: Uzani Environmental Advocacy CC v BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

In Uzani Environmental Advocacy CC v BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, in the first ever private prosecution under section 33 of the National Environmental Management Act, British Petroleum (BP) was prosecuted and convicted for constructing filling stations without the necessary authorisation. The judgment deals mostly with the issue of locus standi to institute a private prosecution for environmental offences. The purpose of this note is to highlight the issues that emerge from the judgment. The note also discusses the role that could be played by the National Director of Public Prosecutions should they decide to take over a private prosecution instituted under section 33 of NEMA.

Mining Impacts on Society: A Case Study of Taita Taveta County, Kenya

Taita-Taveta County is rich with a wide variety of minerals in the world. Gemstones like Ruby, Tsavorite, Ruby and green garnets have caused many people to migrate to the area. These people came from within the county and from other parts of the country, greatly impacting the lifestyle of the local community. There was a need to understand how mining impacts on society and cultural values of a community. This study was carried out in 9 villages which included; Eastleigh A and B, Central, Ndigai, Mungololini, Mukengereni B and C, Mkuki and Kambanga. Respondents from 173 households from the villages were interviewed and discussions from 8 key informants who included: a Manager of Classic Mines, an official of Chawia Mining Community Based Organization (CBO), an individual manual artisanal miner, a retired senior Warden of Kenya Wild Life Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service Manager (KFS), a gemologist from the Taita Taveta County government, Chief of Mwatate location and the County Director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). On a scale of 1 - 4 (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Agree and 4 = Strongly agree), the respondents agreed that there was a loss of their ancestral land, conflicts, dilution of Taita culture through mixed intermarriages, increased prostitution, alcoholism and high school dropouts. The study recommends review of the legal and policy framework governing mining in community areas and subsequent vigorous enforcement to maintain the good order of the public and to sustain meaningful traditions and culture to ensure conflict resolution and mining site ownership.

Maasai Mara University Impact in Knowledge Sharing on Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development: Narok County, Kenya

Universities serve as a hub in knowledge generation which is the main driver for a sustainable economic growth. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) continues to foster a green development pathway for Kenya. Maasai Mara University being a public university in Narok County it is expected to influence the community in knowledge sharing and dissemination on various research outputs. Through the establishment of the Center for Innovation, New and Renewable Energy, Maasai Mara University has facilitated the use of green energy. With only 46% of the Kenyan households having access to electricity, 54% of the population make use of non-renewable energy sources for their daily needs. This means that most Kenyans continue to use non-renewable energy presumably due to lack of knowledge for an alternative. Narok County counted as a marginalized county in Kenya, benefited from International Development Association (IDA) where $150 million grant was issued via the World Bank to promote access to modern energy. The Kenyan government through Rural Electrification Programme, has come up with the National Electricity Policy aimed at increasing the deployment of renewable energy. With such concerns, there is need to determine whether or not universities actualize their role of sharing information including that of renewable energy to the community. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 11,776 households in Narok Town sublocation. With the use of stratified sampling technique, the sample size used in the study was 4122 households being 35% of the number of households in the area. Primary data was collected using open ended and closed questionnaire. The study revealed that 56.6% of the Narok Town residents were not aware of renewable energy sources. Only 17.6% of the households were able to be influenced on green energy choices by Centre for Innovation, New and Renewable Energy at Maasai Mara University. The study further indicates that 47.9% of the households would prefer seminars as the appropriate method. For universities to share knowledge on renewable energy. The study therefore recommends that Institutions of higher learning should be on the forefront to influence green energy to surrounding communities. Keywords: Universities; Knowledge Sharing; Renewable Energy; Maasai Mara University DOI : 10.7176/JETP/9-9-04 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Prospects of green economy as a new paradigm of development

Transition of the world development to the post-industrial phase is accompanied by the global challenges, which could be solved within the "green economy". The basic principles of a "green economy" (GE) correspond to the concepts of balanced development and of rational nature use: the "green economy's" concept focuses on the idea of living standards improvement and economic growth while reducing the environmental damage. The indicators of GE reflect the complexity of the integrated assessment of economic, environmental and social outcomes. Since the common approach to such assessment has not yet been adopted, the development of global and national economies is often compared with the dynamics of their energy or resource intensity. This approach allows to take into account the "life cycle" of products and to allocate the responsibility of countries for environmental damage. Foreign experience can be used to implement the ideas of GE in Russia and CIS countries. Most experts are sceptical about these prospects due to its dependence on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the experience of some regions of Russia and Kazakhstan shows the viability of strategies based on the renewable energy sources. Elaboration of financing mechanisms for "green" development is equally important. Such mechanisms must be adapted to meet the environmental needs of society, with attention to the losses from natural disasters and environmental damage. Today, national environmental management strategies are based on the transition to a resource-efficient low-carbon economy, and contribute a lot to the search for opportunities for the practical implementation of this concept.

Stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization in co-management of Lake Turkana fisheries, Kenya

Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is the second largest producer of freshwater fishery in Kenya. The lake is co-managed by stakeholders’ groups called Beach Management Units (BMUs) in a co-management arrangement with the government. Despite the enactment of co-management policy, management related challenges including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, overexploitation and resource use conflicts still bedevil the lake leading to plummeting fisheries production. This study identified gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization methods used by BMUs. Data was collected using questionnaires from 693 respondents in eight beaches. Chi-square was used to test for statistical associations between variables (p?0.05). Results showed that 13 stakeholders grouped into county government (24%), national government (35%) and donors (42%) were included in the lake’s fisheries management. Although stakeholders’ level of inclusion was not statistically significant (x2=4.8911, df=2, p=0.08668), they were associated with certain activities (x2=202.72, df=8, p<0.001). Donors were engaged in training (84%) and provision of equipment (62%), national government mainly provided security (60%) while County government was associated with marketing infrastructure (56%). BMUs enhanced stakeholder’s inclusion by accepting their opinions (54%), invitation to BMU meetings (26%) and allocation of roles (20%). Information was disseminated through BMU secretaries (41%), announcement in public forums (35%) and phone calls/messages (24%). Although most stakeholders were included in fisheries management, key institutional stakeholders such as National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and Kenya Ports Authority were missing indicating absence of multiple stakeholders who would provide support in specific areas of co-management. Besides, current mobilization methods were inadequate since they excluded traditional leaders, publicity materials, periodic newsletters and electronic/social media platforms. This study points out critical gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization. The gaps should be filled by careful review of fisheries co-management policy at County level to allow for effective fisheries management.

Effects of selected heavy metals on morphology of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus along Ruiru River, Kenya

Abstract. Ouma KO, Otieno SA, Sharma RR 2019. Effects of selected heavy metals on morphology of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus along Ruiru River, Kenya. Bonorowo Wetlands 9: 86-101. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals in tilapia and catfish species along Ruiru River. Sediments, water, and fish samples were collected using systematic random sampling techniques. Three sites were established at downstream of river, 1000 meters of Ruiru Town. The other three were established at upstream of river, 1000 meters of Ruiru Town. Fish samples were transported to the laboratory at National Museums of Kenya for identification. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to examine metals. Fish gills and livers were also examined for histopathological changes. Using one-way analysis of variance, researchers analyzed data on heavy metal levels in water, sediments, and fish gills, livers and muscles. Correlation coefficients were also calculated to assess the relationship between fish length and weight and metal concentrations in fish liver, gills, and muscles, as well as between levels of heavy metals in water and in sediments. In April, 0.167±0.014 mg/L, August, 0.054±0.003 mg/L, and December, 0.222±0.101 mg/L (F = 2.10, p = 0.202), mean chromium levels in water were not statistically significant, but were statistically significant at the downstream sites 0.236±0.019 mg/L, 0.058±0.001 mg/L, and 0.222±0.101 mg/L during the three months (F = 125.63, p<0.001). Significant positive correlations between the levels of iron in sediments and water were found at both upstream and downstream sites, with r = 0.7319, p = 0.025, and r = 0.8506, p = 0.0037, respectively. The linkage between lead levels in sediments and water at upstream sites was not significant (r = 0.343, p = 0.366), while it was significant (r = 0.7523, p = 0.019) at downstream sites. Chromium levels in sediments and water at upstream sites indicated a positive but non-significant connection (r=0.5339, p=0.138). In the downstream sites, there was a substantial positive correlation between chromium levels in sediments and water (r = 0.9787, p<0.001). Metals accumulated in fish tissues in the following order: liver>gills>muscle, and Clarias gariepinus tissues from downstream sites exhibited higher amounts of metals than Oreochromis niloticus tissues from the same sites. In all tissues, both kinds of fish exhibited higher levels of iron than lead, with chromium being the lowest. The liver and gills of fish from the upstream research sites had normal features on histology. Hepatocytes with larger nuclei were found in the livers of fish from downstream sites. The secondary lamellae of the gills had degenerated and fused. Metal levels in sediments were found to be greater than in water, according to the study. Fish from the downstream sites also showed morphological alterations in the liver and gills. The study's findings suggest that people who eat such fish may be exposed to metal poisoning. The National Environment Management Authority should implement measures to reduce industrial trash flow into the Ruiru River, according to the report.

De dissonâncias e traduções: territorialidades e gestões no alto rio Negro.

Desde antes da demarcação das primeiras terras indígenas no alto rio Negro (há mais de vinte anos), população e lideranças indígenas regionais atuam constantemente em processos de reflexão e avaliação de algumas de suas experiências de gestão territorial e relações com o Estado. Atualmente, desenvolvem essas atividades com os instrumentos da Política Nacional de Gestão Ambiental e Territorial de Terras Indígenas (PNGATI). Refletir a partir de algumas das dissonâncias e traduções implicadas nas relações entre indígenas e Estado no tocante às territorialidades e às gestões das mesmas (que envolvem também, evidentemente, a gestão da própria relação que se quer estabelecer com o Estado, do ponto de vista indígena) é o principal objetivo deste artigo.

15 Years after the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act: Is legislation failing to reduce air pollution in South Africa?

15 Years after the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act: Is legislation failing to reduce air pollution in South Africa?

Environmental Audit and Policy Compliance of Tobacco Farming Practices in Migori County, Western Kenya.

There is growing evidence that tobacco farming and use, among other critical livelihood factors, has an impact not only on health but also on the environment. The tobacco industry in Kenya has been on the rise with new production areas emerging. However, the nature of the environmental friendliness of the production, processing and consumption technologies have yet to be evaluated in many parts of Kenya. This study undertook an environmental auditing of tobacco farming activities in the South Nyanza region of Kenya for purposes of evaluating their compliance levels and policy formulation. Data collection was achieved through a detailed environmental audit checklist, focused group discussions, interviews, and field observations. Generally, the environmental compliance level with the National Environment Management Authority, World Health Organization standards and world best farming practices was dismal, at 13.6%. Tobacco companies' compliance rating with standards in application of pesticides and agrochemicals, use and management of energy resources, tobacco leaf storage and disposal of uncollected leaves, occupational health and safety, and best established practices in corporate social responsibility stood at 19.8, 15.7, 27.7, 2.1 and 11.8%, respectively. The low compliance level implies unsustainable farming practices; thus the need for enhanced enforcement of good environmental practices in the sector. Development of policies and legislation on economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative crops is therefore recommended.

Development of alien and invasive taxa lists for regulation of biological invasions in South Africa

Background: Lists are fundamental for guiding policy and management of biological invasions. The process of developing regulatory lists of alien and invasive taxa should be based on scientific evidence through an objective, transparent and consistent process.Objectives: In this study, we review the development of the lists for the alien and invasive species regulations in terms of section 97(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEM:BA) (Act No. 10 of 2004).Method: Lists published in the National Government Gazette were compared and assessed for changes in the taxa listed and their status between 2009 and 2016. Minutes from expert workshops convened to inform the listing were reviewed. Relevant information such as the criteria for listing taxa was extracted from minutes of the workshops.Results: Three draft versions were produced and published in the Government Gazette for public comment before the final list was published in August 2014 and promulgated in October 2014. The list is to be reviewed regularly and additional species can be added, and the status of species can be changed as additional evidence of threat levels is available – and was even amended in May 2015. The various stakeholders involved in the listing process were academics, conservation experts, managers and the general public through an inclusive process which included participation workshops or through public comment. A scoring tool based on the likelihood of invasion versus the impact of invasion was recommended for evaluating the risk of a species, but was rarely used. A number of issues relating to conflicts and approaches for listing were faced during development of lists.Conclusion: We conclude with some recommendations for future refinements in the listing process, including improving transparency and participation as well as developing standardised approaches for listing.