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This book is the product of the labour, industry and environment research programme of the Industrial Strategy Project. We are grateful to the staff of the ISP office at the University of Cape Town for administering the project and to David Lewis, director of the ISP, for his valuable guidance. The ISP research coordinator of this project was based at the National Labour and Economic Development Institute, the research centre serving the Congress of South African Trade Unions. NALEDl’s administrative and other assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

We were encouraged to conduct this research by Dr Tim Jackson and the Environmental Monitoring Group. Their earlier work showed that industrial strategy in South Africa had taken insufficient account of environmental issues, and this helped to catalyse our study.

The research process was informed by a trade union reference group. This group comprised Bhabhali Ka Maphikela Nhlapo (Construction and Allied Workers’ Union), Mike Serobo (Post and Telecommunications Workers’ Union), Sekoati Mokoena and Jerry Chiloane (South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union), Albert Moshaoi (South African Railway and Harbours Workers’ Union), Paul Sehlabelo and Linda Mngadi (Paper Printing and Allied Workers’ Union), Paul Matekane (National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union), Lance Veotte and Jerry Chaka (South African Municipal Workers’ Union), John Wilimiec (Underground Officials’ Association of South Africa) and Buti Msimang (National Council of Trade Unions). The reference group provided valuable insights derived from their daily experience.

We thank Pelelo Magane, who was seconded to the ISP from the Chemical Workers’ Industrial Union. He conducted research on health, safety and environment issues and also coordinated the trade union reference group. We thank the CWIU for making Pélelo available.

Two workshops were held in the course of the research and these gave us an opportunity to discuss our findings with environmentalists, academics, business managers and government officials. We are grateful to all those who attended the workshops for their valuable input and to the members of the Industrial Environmental Forum, a network of companies concerned with promoting industrial environmental management.

Our funders not only provided finance but also gave intellectual support and for this we are particularly grateful. Alistair Smith of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung was directly involved in conceptualising the work, and his advice throughout the process was invaluable. The International Development Research Centre lent us much of their expertise and the IDRC-sponsored international network on trade and environment was especially helpful. The Humanistisch Instituut Voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking arranged a useful study trip to the Netherlands. The Olof Palme International Centre introduced us to non-governmental organisations and researchers active in this field in Europe.

Reg Green, the health, safety and environment officer of the International Chemical and Mining Federation, made helpful suggestions and provided information. Thanks to Rose Meny-Gibert of UCT Press for her patience. Finally, our thanks to Emilia Potenza and Sarah Klipin for support and inspiration.

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