South Africa has made its National Web-Based Environmental Screening Tool mandatory for all environmental impact assessments (EIAs) as of April 17.
The digital platform enables developers to pre-screen sites and assess environmental sensitivities before formally initiating the EIA process. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the tool helps identify low-impact areas early, allowing projects to avoid environmentally sensitive zones and reduce delays.
“This is about making processes faster and smarter without compromising our environment,” said Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George. “We’re cutting months off project timelines.”
The tool uses geospatial data to categorise sites based on environmental risk from low to very high sensitivity. Developers can adjust project boundaries in response to flagged risks such as avifaunal sensitivity, watercourse proximity or critical biodiversity areas – a function particularly useful in renewable energy development zones.
“These are areas where we’re turning disturbed land into hubs for green energy,” said George. “Faster approvals here mean quicker financial closes and more jobs in regions that need economic stimulus.”
The regulatory change builds on a broader push to improve EIA turnaround times for independent power producers (IPPs). Since June 2024, the department has finalised 220 EIAs for IPPs with a 99% completion rate within 57 days – up from 83% the previous year.
“The expedited processing of EIA applications for IPPs showcases our commitment to enabling sustainable energy development,” George said.
