Occupation to Profession: The Need, Drivers and Course of Action for Regulating the South African Environmental Control Officer Industry

Johannes Albertus Wessels, Ruan Samson Colyn Mostert () and Angus Morrison-Saunders
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Johannes Albertus Wessels: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Ruan Samson Colyn Mostert: Wesst Consulting, Suite 262, Private Bag X025, Lynn Wood Ridge, 0040, South Africa
Angus Morrison-Saunders: School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Australia4Research Unit for Environmental Science and Management, North West University, South Africa

Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), 2018, vol. 20, issue 04, 1-28

Abstract: An unregulated Environmental Control Officer (ECO) industry is currently validating compliance to sustainability commitments made during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process of projects across South Africa. This paper follows an action research routine and explores the need and drivers for regulating professionalism of this industry. A self-administered survey questionnaire and interviews were used to generate empirical data from environmental practitioners. A total of 171 survey questionnaires were completed, and four interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. The data gathered were analysed and categorised in relation to theoretical perspectives on drivers for regulating verification professions within the context of attributes (or criteria) of a profession. To achieve the transition from an occupation to a profession, a six-step process is laid out tailored to meet the needs of the industry. This paper provides international environmental practitioners with insight to the need for regulating environmental verification industries such as ECOs.

Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessment; Environmental Control Officer; compliance; regulation; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1142/S1464333218500114

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