NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT 10 OF 2004: DRAFT NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2026-2035
Notice Title: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (“NEMBA”): Draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035
Government Notice: GN 7773 in GG 55141 on 5 August 2026
Commencing date: Comments to be submitted on or before 4 September 2026
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in terms of sections 99 and 100 of the NEMBA published the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035 (draft NBSAP) for public comment.
The NBSAP is the primary instrument for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at a national level, setting out a country’s vision, priorities, targets, and actions for conserving and sustainably using biodiversity. It determines a nation’s contribution toward global goals while reflecting its specific national circumstances, priorities and capabilities. Following the adoption of the Kunming Montreal-Global Biodiversity Framework, the CBD called on all parties to revise and update their NBSAPs to align with the new global goals and targets.
The updated NBSAP serves as the main national vehicle to translate global ambitions into concrete, measurable actions. It mandates a shift toward a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to secure South Africa’s wealth of biodiversity.
Members of the public are invited to submit comments on or before 4 September 2026. For a copy of the Government Gazette Notice click here: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act: Draft National Biodiveristy Strategy and Action Plan: Comments invited
For more information or assistance please contact Jan Nel at jan@shangoni.co.za.
