Final answer:
South African environmental regulations are exercised at multiple governance levels, encompassing national plans like CAPE and international treaties like CITES. These efforts aim to protect biodiversity and promote sustainability, with varying environmental standards influencing these actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In South Africa, environmental legislation and regulations are instrumental at different levels of government, from national to local, to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. There are various mechanisms employed such as the Cape Action Plan for the Environment (CAPE), which focuses on biodiversity protection, sustainable use of resources, and enhancing local institutional capacities. Beyond national efforts, international treaties like CITES play a crucial role in regulating the transportation of endangered species across borders. Governance in South Africa on environmental matters can involve traditional authorities, the national environmental ministry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and global trade policies, engaging in a collaborative approach to conservation and environmental protection.
South Africa's environmental regulations reflect the global pattern where high-income countries tend to have stricter environmental standards. However, even within middle- and low-income nations, there are efforts to increase environmental protection, where feasible, and a recognition of its growing importance within the parameters of sustainable development and public health priorities.