Mr Chairperson, we are talking about the environment. It is very important, so members should take a little bit more interest in this debate.
Two days ago, the Treasury made known their plans to introduce a carbon tax - listen - according to them, not to raise revenue, but to change the behaviour of ordinary South Africans and companies. South Africa is unfortunately the leader on this continent in terms of excessive emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Having said that, we are still a small contributor in terms of this, from a global perspective.
Why am I saying this? What do carbon tax proposals have to do with this Bill? The point is that when you have excellent environmental laws like we did, and you improve them, as we are doing here today, the challenge is to implement them and, without fear, to protect the environment. When you have done that and you have not by then changed the behaviour of companies and businesses and individuals, that is when you revert back to a tax proposal in terms of a carbon tax, not before you have done your job.
Now, we possess the best legal framework to protect our environment, but still businesses and individuals get through the cracks because their wellbeing and profits are far more important to them than the environment.
These amendments today make it even easier now to track down the guilty and to penalise them appropriately. The proviso is that it must be done and the relevant authorities must not fail us. The fragmented approach sometimes taken by different provinces creates the wrong precedent on how to deal with the environment and those who violate the laws. This is a problem. If we take, for example, two adjoining provinces such as Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and we find that, in Limpopo, they interpret the Act in a certain way and in Mpumalanga which is next to it, they do it differently, that is not good. Perhaps the hon Deputy Minister must make it her task to make sure that this does not happen in the future.
When you engage in an activity that may be harmful to the environment, it is all about integrity and ethical behaviour. The way you as an individual treat the environment will show up your character.
I want to congratulate the Minister and the Deputy Minister today on these amendments and hope the amendments will be utilised with renewed energy to penalise those who are wrong.
I further want to commend the hon chairperson of the portfolio committee. He is a hard worker and he is good for the environment. I might differ from him slightly regarding the legalising of the rhino horn trade, but let us not debate that today. Let us leave that for another day. Cope supports these amendments.