Identification of Lessons-learned of Involving the Public in Environmental Decision-making in South Africa

UNITAR initiated a project in 2004/2005 with the University of Cape Town to develop and test a methodology to identify practical lessons learned from involving the public in environmental decision-making. The methodology is currently being tested through a project executed by the Environmental Evaluation Unit at UCT with funding from the United Kingdom and methodological input from Yale University (USA).

A National Workshop on Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making took place from 12-14 June 2006 in Cape Town with participation of some 100 representatives from various stakeholder groups as well as national, provincial and local government. Participants developed a consensus statement which serves as a basis for follow-up discussions with Government and preparation of a final report. In addition, case studies examined through the research will be published separately in early 2007. Finally, a report was prepared examining challenges of effective participation of public interest groups in environmental decision-making.

At the international level this project facilitated exchange of experiences of lessons learned from involving the public in environmental decision making and led to the development of public participation research methodology to assist countries in strengthening participatory environmental governance through national knowledge management.

Please see our publications page for the Project’s Information Note, Workshop Recommendations, and Final Report.