In the environmental context banks face direct, indirect and reputational risks from their internal operations and their external business activities. The current specific focus on the protection of the environment makes it essential for banks and their directors to be aware and stay on top of potential risks and liabilities. This is especially so because banks’ directors can be criminally prosecuted for environmental crimes. The application and effect of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) on persons convicted of an environmental crime or crimes has been identified as a possible new or added risk for banks and their directors. Banks in addition to their normal environmental risk and liabilities also need to contend with the possibility of lender liability. Existing legislation pertinent to lender liability does not expressly or specifically deal with lender liability. Absence of judgements on lender liability further exacerbates the risks and the uncertainty for banks in South Africa. Therefore, banks remain subject to legal uncertainty and associated risks. The issue of lender liability specifically with regard to the implication of “the person in control” requires clarification. Hence, it is recommended that legislation relevant to lender liability (National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998; National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008) be revised to specifically accommodate and protect lenders (lending banks) in certain distinct circumstances. The role of banks is that of an intermediary between borrowers and lenders of money. Therefore, it influences the direction and pace of economic development and by default steers and promotes either sustainable or non-sustainable development. Currently, mainstream banks are in effect financing a brown economy and hence subscribe to a weak form of sustainability. It would seem that mainstream banks are more concerned with managing the impact that environmental risk may have on bank lending than the impact of bank lending on the environment. The evolving nature of sustainability (from weak to strong and from a brown to green economy) demands a fundamental policy change for banks. It is expected that mainstream banks will be put under even greater pressure than before to make the transition from weak to strong sustainability. Hence, banks’ current environmental risk management systems will not be sufficient to cater for new environmental risks and liabilities that the move to stronger sustainability (in the form of the green economy) will present. Banks should adopt the stronger version of sustainability; formulate environmental principles that the bank will adhere to; incorporate these environmental principles into all aspects of its lending cycle, develop an environmental risk management system that should include as a minimum the identification of all the applicable legislation pertaining to the specific financing or lending of capital, risk identification, assessment of the specific risk, implementation of risk control measures, mitigation of the risk, risk monitoring and auditing. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In this day and age sustainability is gaining increasing importance seeing as this is of utmost importance to stakeholders. Yet, very few people are aware of the true meaning of sustainability. Stakeholders, also being the users of the annual report, need to be aware of the impact a company has on the environment and the society as well as their financial performance in order, among others, to make informed decisions regarding investments. For all financial years ending on or after 1 March 2010, all companies listed on the JSE have to report on sustainability (this is a JSE listing requirement). Yet, no statutory requirement for adherence to reporting standards relating to sustainability exists. This creates the risk that sustainability reports will omit negative impacts or be otherwise misleading, yet the company is still seen as adhering to listing and thus statutory requirements. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) developed their Sustainability Reporting Framework in order to serve as a benchmark for measuring sustainability. This Framework includes the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (including basic principles and standard disclosures that need to be included in the report), Sector Supplements (including sector specific issues) as well as the Technical Protocol (which guides the entity in defining the content of the report). This is currently the only formal guideline available and is widely used around the world. Given the importance of the mining industry in South Africa, this article considers the quality of integrated reporting of the South African mining industry. This is done by undertaking a quantitative, applied, descriptive methodology in order to answer the research questions. Thus compliance with the globally accepted GRI Sustainability Framework has been evaluated and analysed. Using a sample of 13 of the mining companies included in the JSE Top 40 companies, the results show that these companies use the GRI G3.1 Guidelines in producing their sustainability report and that adherence improves annually. Some companies, however, do not apply the Sector Supplements which was designed to include industry-specific impacts. / Thesis (MCom (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Milton Friedman’s theory of free market corporate responsibility, which states that the maximizing of profits is the only social responsibility a law-abiding business has, is clearly a concept of the past. A concept that is very relevant today, is the concept of sustainable development, which may be defined as development that meets the needs of the present world without forfeiting the ability of future generations to meet their personal needs. This concept recognises that stakeholders and shareholders require forward-looking information to attend to the economic, environmental and social aspects of a business’s activities. Previous research has indicted that the financial performance of a business alone isn’t the sole reason for its success. This demonstrates the change from a single-bottom-line management and reporting approach to a triple-bottom-line management and reporting approach. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) developed a Sustainability Reporting Framework that is generally considered the most widely used framework in terms of social responsibility reporting. In this research project, the unique set of business principles and values of co-operatives were analyzed and evaluated, and congruence were found between sustainable development and co-operative governance. Co-operatives in their diverse forms support the fullest participation in the economic and social development of people since they put people at the centre of their business and not capital. The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the GRI guidelines, as a reporting framework, are feasible or applicable to cooperatives as a business model. In this research project, the abovementioned GRI guidelines are applied on a selected cooperative’s activities. The empirical case study, based on the agricultural co-operative Agri- Com, illustrated that the Level C Reporting Framework as per the GRI, can be used very successfully in the co-operative business model. In the case of Agri-Com, it was found that even though it is a co-operative, its primary management and reporting focus remained primarily on the financial aspects. It can therefore be recommended that in this instance, the guidelines per the Level C Reporting Framework, be considered as a method to better embrace the principles of the co-operative business model. / Thesis (MCom (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The study focuses on the role of water activities in the advancement of environmental literacy in grade six learners. The study is important as South Africa is experiencing a water crisis due to below average rainfall, overpopulation and poor management of water sources. The implementation of water activities in primary and secondary school education is needed for the development of environmentally literate citizens who understand the connection between the environment, available water and poverty and who possess the skills to sustain water sources. Environmental problems can be solved through environmental literacy (UNESCO, 1994:11). The purpose of the study is to determine how environmental literacy can be advanced by means of water activities carried out by grade six learners. The study is quantitative and a before- and after test questionnaire was used to compile data from an experimental and control group. Five schools that are located near water sources took part in the research. The biotic water testing methods and light intensity measurements were used as water activities. Active participation of learners in water activities contributed to the expansion of knowledge, skills and values regarding water in the environment. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The energy provider in South Africa, Eskom, faces an increasing electricity demand. The need to ensure sufficient supply gave rise to Demand Side Management (DSM) projects scheme. The DSM focus has shifted to the mining sector in South Africa. The large electricity use of the mining sector ensured the need for Energy Services Companies (ESCo’s). The ESCo is contracted to ensure energy savings of DSM projects implemented within the multiple sectors such as mining industry. The mining sector business model has the constant pressure to increase gold production. This pressure to expand has led to rapid expansion plans to increase the gold output for the relevant company. The expansion process and production increase in turn increases the electricity consumption. Compressed air use is a large contributing factor to the monthly electricity use as it is widely used within the mine sector. The implementation of a DSM project on the compressed air ring of an expanding gold mine was the focus of the study. This case study focused on an expanding gold mine within South Africa. The DSM lifecycle was followed to initially determine the DSM saving potential. The possible control strategies were investigated with simulation models and savings calculations. The viable option was to be implemented with a preliminary control philosophy. Results were in turn compared with the initial investigations and control philosophy. The deviations as experienced with implementation were addressed and a potential sustainable control philosophy for an expanding gold mine was constructed. The results indicated, verified Eskom peak clip electricity savings of 2.165 MW of the 2.4 MW target. The energy efficiency component for these performance assessment months was 1.944 MW of the targeted 1.5 MW. The sustainability of the system was proven with production increase on an expanding gold mine. / MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In this day and age sustainability is gaining increasing importance seeing as this is of utmost importance to stakeholders. Yet, very few people are aware of the true meaning of sustainability. Stakeholders, also being the users of the annual report, need to be aware of the impact a company has on the environment and the society as well as their financial performance in order, among others, to make informed decisions regarding investments. For all financial years ending on or after 1 March 2010, all companies listed on the JSE have to report on sustainability (this is a JSE listing requirement). Yet, no statutory requirement for adherence to reporting standards relating to sustainability exists. This creates the risk that sustainability reports will omit negative impacts or be otherwise misleading, yet the company is still seen as adhering to listing and thus statutory requirements. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) developed their Sustainability Reporting Framework in order to serve as a benchmark for measuring sustainability. This Framework includes the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (including basic principles and standard disclosures that need to be included in the report), Sector Supplements (including sector specific issues) as well as the Technical Protocol (which guides the entity in defining the content of the report). This is currently the only formal guideline available and is widely used around the world. Given the importance of the mining industry in South Africa, this article considers the quality of integrated reporting of the South African mining industry. This is done by undertaking a quantitative, applied, descriptive methodology in order to answer the research questions. Thus compliance with the globally accepted GRI Sustainability Framework has been evaluated and analysed. Using a sample of 13 of the mining companies included in the JSE Top 40 companies, the results show that these companies use the GRI G3.1 Guidelines in producing their sustainability report and that adherence improves annually. Some companies, however, do not apply the Sector Supplements which was designed to include industry-specific impacts. / Thesis (MCom (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Milton Friedman’s theory of free market corporate responsibility, which states that the maximizing of profits is the only social responsibility a law-abiding business has, is clearly a concept of the past. A concept that is very relevant today, is the concept of sustainable development, which may be defined as development that meets the needs of the present world without forfeiting the ability of future generations to meet their personal needs. This concept recognises that stakeholders and shareholders require forward-looking information to attend to the economic, environmental and social aspects of a business’s activities. Previous research has indicted that the financial performance of a business alone isn’t the sole reason for its success. This demonstrates the change from a single-bottom-line management and reporting approach to a triple-bottom-line management and reporting approach. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) developed a Sustainability Reporting Framework that is generally considered the most widely used framework in terms of social responsibility reporting. In this research project, the unique set of business principles and values of co-operatives were analyzed and evaluated, and congruence were found between sustainable development and co-operative governance. Co-operatives in their diverse forms support the fullest participation in the economic and social development of people since they put people at the centre of their business and not capital. The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the GRI guidelines, as a reporting framework, are feasible or applicable to cooperatives as a business model. In this research project, the abovementioned GRI guidelines are applied on a selected cooperative’s activities. The empirical case study, based on the agricultural co-operative Agri- Com, illustrated that the Level C Reporting Framework as per the GRI, can be used very successfully in the co-operative business model. In the case of Agri-Com, it was found that even though it is a co-operative, its primary management and reporting focus remained primarily on the financial aspects. It can therefore be recommended that in this instance, the guidelines per the Level C Reporting Framework, be considered as a method to better embrace the principles of the co-operative business model. / Thesis (MCom (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The study focuses on the role of water activities in the advancement of environmental literacy in grade six learners. The study is important as South Africa is experiencing a water crisis due to below average rainfall, overpopulation and poor management of water sources. The implementation of water activities in primary and secondary school education is needed for the development of environmentally literate citizens who understand the connection between the environment, available water and poverty and who possess the skills to sustain water sources. Environmental problems can be solved through environmental literacy (UNESCO, 1994:11). The purpose of the study is to determine how environmental literacy can be advanced by means of water activities carried out by grade six learners. The study is quantitative and a before- and after test questionnaire was used to compile data from an experimental and control group. Five schools that are located near water sources took part in the research. The biotic water testing methods and light intensity measurements were used as water activities. Active participation of learners in water activities contributed to the expansion of knowledge, skills and values regarding water in the environment. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The energy provider in South Africa, Eskom, faces an increasing electricity demand. The need to ensure sufficient supply gave rise to Demand Side Management (DSM) projects scheme. The DSM focus has shifted to the mining sector in South Africa. The large electricity use of the mining sector ensured the need for Energy Services Companies (ESCo’s). The ESCo is contracted to ensure energy savings of DSM projects implemented within the multiple sectors such as mining industry. The mining sector business model has the constant pressure to increase gold production. This pressure to expand has led to rapid expansion plans to increase the gold output for the relevant company. The expansion process and production increase in turn increases the electricity consumption. Compressed air use is a large contributing factor to the monthly electricity use as it is widely used within the mine sector. The implementation of a DSM project on the compressed air ring of an expanding gold mine was the focus of the study. This case study focused on an expanding gold mine within South Africa. The DSM lifecycle was followed to initially determine the DSM saving potential. The possible control strategies were investigated with simulation models and savings calculations. The viable option was to be implemented with a preliminary control philosophy. Results were in turn compared with the initial investigations and control philosophy. The deviations as experienced with implementation were addressed and a potential sustainable control philosophy for an expanding gold mine was constructed. The results indicated, verified Eskom peak clip electricity savings of 2.165 MW of the 2.4 MW target. The energy efficiency component for these performance assessment months was 1.944 MW of the targeted 1.5 MW. The sustainability of the system was proven with production increase on an expanding gold mine. / MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Angling as a sport and recreational activity attracts millions of participants worldwide, making it the most popular pastime on the planet. Freshwater bank anglers in South Africa account for approximately 60% of the angling community and contribute billions to the economy. The freshwater bank angling industry as such is largely informal, with the exception of the small organised angling section. The technical aspects of angling receive an abundance of covering in magazines and increases in popularity through the electronic media. This study focuses on lesser known aspects regarding the angling industry stakeholders and put the activities of South African freshwater bank anglers in perspective. Valuable information was gathered describing the socio-economic profile and various preferences and habits of anglers. The information should form the basis of future studies to formalise the freshwater bank angling industry. A general and mutual concern among stakeholders for the future sustainability of freshwater angling was identified. The apparent lack of enforcing angling and environmental legislation was singled out as a serious shortcoming in protecting the interests of stakeholders. The study calls for organised angling to engage all stakeholders in a national strategy for developing the structures and creating the momentum to promote and grow this undervalued industry to its potential. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.