Many decisions affecting the environment take place at a local level. While laws about environmental issues are made at national, provincial and local level, implementation and monitoring of the laws is often a local issue. For example, it is at local level that settlements are planned and development decisions regarding industrial, commercial and residential growth are taken. The local municipality manages sewage and drainage, waste disposal and so on. So it is at local level that people need to contribute to environmental decisions and take up issues. If there is a particular environmental issue in your area that needs attention, you can approach the local municipality in your area and point this out to them. If they don’t take action then you could approach the relevant department in the provincial government and thereafter, national government. The national Department of Environmental Affairs and provincial departments dealing with environmental affairs are mainly responsible for environmental conservation. However, other government departments would be involved if the issue concerns the provision of safe and healthy environments. You could also lobby parliamentary portfolio committees.

(See: Lobbying, campaigning and petitioning)