Everyone has the right to:

• An environment which is not harmful to their health or well-being
• Have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
  • prevent pollution and ecological degradation
  • promote conservation
  • secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.

Section 24 therefore places a duty on all spheres of government to take reasonable steps – including to make laws – to prevent pollution, promote conservation and ensure sustainable development.