: The moral and legal obligation to avoid causing harm to the environment through one's actions.

: The principle that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.

The primary goal of unit standard 119553 is to teach individuals how to identify, monitor, and mitigate the negative consequences of human activities. It forms a core part of the at NQF Level 2. To be considered "competent" in this topic, a student must demonstrate more than just theoretical knowledge; they must show they can actually perform tasks that protect the environment, such as implementing remedial plans or evaluating the effectiveness of a cleanup. Key Principles of the Standard