We may believe that it is important to look after the environment, but did you know that the environment is protected by International Agreements and by South Africa’s Constitution and laws? Here are just a few of them:

The United Nations and other international bodies have drawn up international agreements that governments around the world have agreed to, such as:

• Agenda 21: a global plan of action to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): promotes the sustainable use of biodiversity and the sharing of benefits with local communities.

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): protects endangered species by regulating trade.

• The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR): protects wetlands, in particular those that are important habitats for water birds

• The Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC): aims to stop and reverse the trend in climate change through reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

• The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Eight goals agreed on by all countries and leading development organisations at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000.

• The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation: The global plan for sustainable development adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. Download a copy of the pdf document here!