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The Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12 November 2021 in Pretoria 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 usage 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, especially from a planning, development and environmental perspective.

CBE Council Deputy Chairperson, Me Maphefo Mogodi explained: “The CBE Act is all encompassing, so a marriage such as this is a step in the direct to assist us to more fully execute our mandate.”

The MoU between EAPASA and CBE formalises a mutual understanding between the two organisations to collaboratively implement the core mandates of their respective Acts viz. the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Council for the Built Environment Act (CBE Act) to:

• Promote a sustainable built and natural environment

• Promote ongoing human resource development in the built environment

• Facilitate participation by the built environment professions and environmental practitioners in integrated development in the context of national goals

• Promote 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

• Promote social and environmental justice by continuously advocating for transformation in the built and natural environment

This collaboration is a clear indication that two heads are better than one. EAPASA Board Chairperson Snowy Makhudu clearly expressed her excitement on behalf of the Board when she said, “No doubt, it’s 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.”