Primary briefing · Gazette
high impact 55141 · 7773 · 2026-08-05
Draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035 published for comment
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Government Notice 7773 publishes the draft NBSAP 2026-2035 under sections 99 and 100 of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004. The strategy translates the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into national targets across 12 thematic areas, adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to mainstreaming biodiversity into development planning, and proposes novel finance instruments including a National Biodiversity Blended Finance Facility, biodiversity offsets banking, thematic bonds, and environmental fiscal benefits. Partial implementation is costed at approximately R656.71 million over ten years, with the full cost expected to be significantly higher. The draft sets 30x30 conservation targets and signals future regulatory tightening, particularly around freshwater and estuarine ecosystems where 48% of ecosystem types are already threatened.
Who is affected
Mining companiesAgricultural enterprisesEnergy producers (including renewables)Property developers and land-use plannersFinancial institutions and ESG investorsTourism operatorsFishing and aquaculture operatorsBioprospecting and biotechnology companiesWaste management companiesEnvironmental law practitioners What this means for practitioners
Submit written comments within 30 days of the later of Gazette or newspaper publication (Gazette date: 5 August 2026) by post, hand delivery, or email to nbsapcomments@dffe.gov.za
Advise clients in mining, agriculture, energy, property development, and financial services on the proposed mainstreaming obligations and novel finance mechanisms that may cascade into sector-specific regulation
Monitor for the newspaper publication date, as the 30-day period runs from whichever date occurs last — comments received after the closing date may not be considered