GREENLIGHT: Despite ‘green tape’ criticism, majority of environmental projects get the nod
South Africa’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations are perceived by some to be a stumbling block to economic development. Yet Daily Maverick’s scrutiny of recent records shows that only a tiny minority of recent EIA applications were refused.
South Africa's environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations are often criticized for being a barrier to economic development, but new data suggests otherwise. According to an analysis of official government figures, only a small fraction of EIA applications were refused over the past two years. In the 2024/25 financial year, out of 2,129 applications, just 3.6% were denied.
The following year, 2025/26 saw 1,762 applications submitted, with a refusal rate of 2.8%. Some provinces, including Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and North West, had a refusal rate of zero in either year, while Mpumalanga refused less than 1%. The highest refusal rate was in Gauteng, at around 7.5% for 2024/25. However, these figures are based on completed applications, not including those withdrawn, lapsed, or still in the assessment process.
The national average refusal rate is estimated at about 3.5%, indicating that the EIA approvals system may not be as significant a barrier as critics claim. Despite this, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has faced pressure to introduce a new "Flexible EIA System," sparking concerns about weakening environmental protections.
While the DFFE states that 98% of applications are processed within the prescribed timeframe, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has been criticized for being reluctant to provide data on its EIA approval and refusal rates, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the approval process.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
