The Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), committing to work together on issues of transformation, skills development, research and promoting and protecting public interests in the built environment.

The purpose of the MoU is to provide a framework for collaboration and good working relations between the two parties, with a long-term view to enact the relationship within the CBE Act.

The organisations agree to establish and maintain collaborative relations to enhance the image of the built environment, to promote good standards and to promote the use of professionally registered persons, research support and protecting the interest of the public in the built and natural environment.

The collaboration demonstrates the need to establish partnerships between various stakeholders with common objectives to actively engage and explore possible and innovative solutions to address challenges faced in the built environment. This is especially prevalent in terms of planning, development and environmental factors.

CBE council deputy chairperson Maphefo Mogodi explains that the CBE Act is all encompassing and that the MoU is, therefore, a step in the direction to assist both parties in fully executing their mandates.

The MoU formalises a mutual understanding between the two organisations to collaboratively implement the core mandates of their respective Acts, including the National Environmental Management Act and the Council for the Built Environment Act.

As such, the MoU seeks to build the foundation to promote a sustainable built and natural environment, promote ongoing human resource development in the built environment and facilitate participation by the built environment professions and environmental practitioners in integrated development in the context of national goals.

Also, the MoU seeks to assist both parties in promoting appropriate standards of health, safety and environmental protection within the built environment; exchange information, experience and best practices on built and natural environment-related matters; and promote social and environmental justice by continuously advocating for transformation in the built and natural environment.

EAPASA chairperson Snowy Makhudu says the MoU is a “win-win situation” for both parties.

“For starters, there will be exchange of environmental advice and sharing resources, knowledge and expertise. We have a synergy for what we want to see in the sector for sustainability in the long term,” she adds.