The vision of DEAT is: a prosperous and equitable society living in harmony with our resources.

The mission is to lead sustainable development of our environment and tourism for a better life for all South Africans by:

• Creating conditions for sustainable tourism growth and development
• Promoting the sustainable development and conservation of our natural resources
• Protecting and improving the quality and safety of the environment
• Promoting the global sustainable development agenda
• Transformation of the department, statutory bodies and economic sector for which we are responsible.

• Sustainability: efficient use of resources, walking the talk
• Performance: quality of products, impact of our work in society, energy driven, earn our worth
• Professionalism: accuracy, punctuality, knowledgeable, corporate governance
• People: team building, Batho Pele, capacity building
• Integrity: ethics, honesty, non-corruptive
• Innovation: face challenges and offer new solutions, pushing frontiers,
• Diversity: richness of culture, ideas, a fabric of our organisation and nation.