IntroductionIntegrated Environmental Management (IEM) is a concept that was encouraged and proposed in the 1980s, in South Africa. IEM was then widely accepted with the publication of the IEM guideline series in 1992. The IEM concept has three crucial words, “integrated”, “Environment” and “Management”. Their meanings are described for a better understanding of IEM as a whole. The term integration has four different elements, as explained by DEAT (2004), namely:1. Integration of all environmental concerns.2. Integration of knowledge from different experts.3. The integration of tools when making decisions. The environment is described as the environment in which all organisms exist. This is a very broad term that includes biophysical, social and economic sections, as well as fractions that fall within overlapping areas. See Figure 1 for a graphical representation. Management refers to the entire process of managing a project, activity or development. It includes initiating, planning, controlling, implementing and closing an activity. It also includes responsibility and accountability for each phase of the activity or development. IEM is considered a philosophy and set of principles. The philosophy and principles are supported by tools aimed at guiding South Africa and developers towards sustainable development. IEM is not necessarily a process, but rather a 'way of thinking' used to support other processes, such as EIA and SEA, or integrated into other processes, such as integrated planning of development. The different tools form a framework for environmental decision-making. The main objective of the IEM is to support sustainable development, which means that the framework...... middle of paper ...... opportunities to engage with all stakeholders of the project or development. The stakeholders who would benefit the most are young people, women and the disadvantaged. Engaging with the various stakeholders would allow them to contribute, particularly to informed decision-making.18. SustainabilityThe principle of sustainability is an important principle. Resources must be used in such a way that the renewal and replenishment of the resource occurs in such a way that the resource declines in the long term. This ensures that the needs of present and future generations are met and that resources are not subject to limiting pressures.19. TransparencyDecisions regarding a development or project must be made in a transparent or open-minded manner. All decisions must, however, comply with the various laws of South Africa. The challenges of IEM