How the City protects our natural world
Environmental Strategy
In 2017, we adopted the Environmental Strategy, which provides City decision-makers with an effective policy and governance framework to pursue sustainable development. The strategy adopts an integrated approach to sustainability, that recognises our economy is embedded within society, which in turn is embedded in nature.
This strategy replaces the City's Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy (IMEP) and the Environmental Agenda 2009-2014. Various strategies that were associated with IMEP, however, will remain in place unless specifically cancelled by Council or replaced with updated versions.
The Environmental Strategy, coupled with the
Social Development Strategy and
Economic Growth Strategy, provides a sustainability framework to guide and inform service delivery and implementation.
At the core of the Environmental Strategy is our commitment to enhance, protect and manage Cape Town's natural and cultural resources for long-term prosperity in a way that optimises economic opportunities and promotes access and social wellbeing.
Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
The protection of our natural areas and rich biodiversity is steered by our
Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan
In 2025, we adopted the Cape Town Biodiversity Spatial Plan, which replaces the Bioregional Plan that was originally adopted as Council Policy in July 2015. It is comprised of a biodiversity profile for the bioregion, the Cape Town BioNet (Biodiversity Priority Areas), and associated management guidelines.
The plan informs and guides planning, environmental assessment, and natural resource management, by a wide range of sectors whose policies and decisions impact biodiversity.
It also provides a framework for all City line departments to align their environmental responsibilities. The spatially explicit Cape Town BioNet facilitates forward planning that minimises impacts on biodiversity. This allows a more integrated, cost-effective approach to environmental management and conservation in the bioregion.
The intention of the plan is to reduce conflict between the environmental and other sectors, by providing up-to-date information on biodiversity priorities that will guide forward planning and development in the City. This will also facilitate sustainable development and conservation of our natural assets.
Fast fact
Corridors are areas that permit the movement of animals and the dispersal of seeds between conservation areas. Corridors can include areas where indigenous species still survive (indigenous remnants), commons, roadside verges, land under power lines (servitudes) and undeveloped land on farms. Protecting these areas prevents our reserves from becoming genetically isolated.
Our initiatives and partnerships
The City runs many pioneering environmental programmes, on our own and with our partners. We focus on a range of projects from the rehabilitation and restoration of natural environments, to community education and teaching.
Environmental Management Programme (EMPr)
We use a generic Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) to guide the management and mitigation of potential environmental impacts within the City.
Our EMPr was revised in 2017 to align with the regulatory requirements and evolving industry.
Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) and Environmental Planners are required to make use of our EMPr to manage and moderate potential impacts for all development within the City:
- that require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process;
- that is in a sensitive environment (protected/heritage etc.); or
- at the discretion of our
Environmental Management Department.
The generic EMPr may be adapted to project specific requirements.
Download the
Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).
