{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"geography":["Mokolo River"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'Mokolo River' for facet 'geography' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":6,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?geography=Mokolo+River","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"cer-000728","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000728","title":"OBJECTIONS TO THE WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED MOKOLO CROCODILE RIVER (WEST) WATER AUGMENTATION PROJECT PHASE2A (MCWAP-2A)","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2022-06-14","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CER-Objections-to-MCWAP-WUL-14.06.2022.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of Earthlife Africa and groundWork, submitted formal objections on 14 June 2022 to the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) for Phase 2A of the Mokolo Crocodile River (West) Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP-2A). The CER argues that the project is an unnecessary inter-basin transfer designed to support coal expansion, which contradicts South Africa's climate commitments and poses severe risks to aquatic ecosystems and local communities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The CER alleges a conflict of interest and a lack of procedural fairness because the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) acts as both the applicant and the decision-maker for the IWULA, which may constitute \"actual and apparent bias in decision making\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The IWULA is described as deficient for failing to address most of the statutory requirements under Section 27 of the National Water Act (NWA), with the CER noting that a \"scant 3 page assessment\" only briefly covers current water entitlements, socio-economic impacts, and strategic importance.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project is criticized for promoting the coal economy despite South Africa's commitment to a just transition and the Paris Agreement. The CER argues that new coal capacity is not necessary for the energy mix and risks becoming \"stranded assets\", potentially creating an \"undue financial burden on the public\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The CER contends that the use of water-intensive Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD) at the Medupi power station is not necessary, as Dry FGD technology is available, uses significantly less water (0.14l/kWh compared to 0.21l/kWh for WFGD), and produces no wastewater.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Expert reviews indicate the project will severely impact aquatic ecosystems, potentially leading to a decline in species requiring high flows, increased salinity, and the proliferation of invasive species like the \"Mosquito fish\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The CER identifies significant knowledge gaps in the IWULA, including a lack of assessment regarding the Ecological Water Requirements (EWR), the Reserve, and the impacts of transferring poor-quality water from the Crocodile (West) River into the Matlabas River.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document asserts that the IWULA fails to consider South Africa's international obligations regarding shared watercourses, specifically the potential cumulative impacts on the water quality and levels of rivers in neighbouring countries via the Limpopo River.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project is accused of ignoring climate change impacts, with expert predictions for the Lephalale/Limpopo region (2021-2060) including the collapse of rain-fed agriculture, extreme heat making manual labour untenable, and increased food insecurity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000728#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","coal phase-out","water security","climate adaptation","greenhouse gas emissions","inter-basin water transfer"],"geography_discussed":["Limpopo River"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Legal Objection","Environmental Impact Review","Policy Analysis"]},{"id":"cer-000438","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000438","title":"APPEAL IN TERMS OF SECTION 43 OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT,1998 AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION ISSUED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION ON 15 MARCH 2019 FOR THE MOKOLO AND CROCODILE RIVER (WEST) AUGMENTATION PROJECT (PHASE 2A) (MCWAP-2A), WITHIN THE THABAZIMBI AND LEPHALALE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE WATERBERG DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, LIMPOPO PROVINCE","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2019-04-15","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Annexure-C-MCWAP-2A-EA-Appeal.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of Earthlife Africa and groundWork to the Minister of Environmental Affairs. The appeal seeks to set aside an Environmental Authorisation granted on 15 March 2019 to the Department of Water and Sanitation for Phase 2A of the Mokolo and Crocodile River (West) Augmentation Project (MCWAP-2A). The appellants argue that the project is unnecessary, environmentally damaging, and based on outdated energy demand assumptions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The appellants argue that the need and desirability of the MCWAP-2A project are based on incorrect and outdated assumptions regarding South Africa's electricity demand and the need for coal-based power and mining. They contend that the project primarily serves 'DoE Future Users' such as power generation and mining, which they claim are not necessary or desirable.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appeal asserts that the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) failed to adequately assess the project's impact on river ecosystems, specifically regarding water abstraction from the Crocodile (West) River and the potential transfer of poor quality water and invasive species, such as Water Hyacinth, into the Matlabas and Mokolo River catchments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appellants claim the project fails to account for the 'Reserve' as required by the National Water Act, 1998. They argue that the EIR treats the Reserve as a matter for the water use licence process rather than a critical consideration for the environmental impact assessment, creating uncertainty about water availability.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document alleges a failure to conduct a comprehensive Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA). It argues that the EIR only assessed GHG emissions from construction and ignored indirect emissions from the coal-fired power stations and mines the project would enable, as well as threats to water yield from rising temperatures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appellants contend that the project's cumulative and indirect socio-economic impacts were ignored. This includes the failure to assess the effect of industrial growth on the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area (WBPA) and the failure to quantify social costs borne by society rather than the project operators.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appeal argues that the 'no-go option' was not accurately considered, as the EIR focused only on the negative economic implications of not proceeding (such as underutilisation of coal reserves) and ignored the environmental and climate benefits of not implementing the project.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The appellants claim the Environmental Authorisation was granted in the absence of material information. They point to several conditions in the authorisation that require technical studies (e.g., palaeontology, sediment, and ecological surveys) to be conducted after the decision was already made, which they argue is unlawful.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000438#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["climate change impact assessment","greenhouse gas emissions","water scarcity","coal transition","decarbonisation"],"geography_discussed":["Hartbeespoort Dam","Mpumalanga"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Legal Appeal","Environmental Impact Review"]},{"id":"cer-000444","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000444","title":"Brief Review of the MCWAP Phase 2A Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (September 2018), and Baseline Aquatic and Wetland Impact Specialist Reports","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2018-10-25","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Annexure-D-Aquatics-assessment-on-rivers-and-wetlands.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Freshwater Research Centre (FRC) reviewed the MCWAP Phase 2A Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Report (DEIR) and found it inadequate in its assessment of operational phase impacts on rivers and wetlands. Key criticisms include the failure to account for cumulative climate change risks, the lack of consultation with neighbouring states in the Limpopo River Basin, and the use of a risk matrix that does not assess the significance of impacts as required by NEMA. The FRC highlights significant risks regarding the transfer of poor-quality water and invasive species, such as Water Hyacinth, from the donor Crocodile (West) River and Hartbeespoort Dam to the recipient Matlabas and Mokolo River catchments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The MCWAP2A DEIR fails to comprehensively analyze the ecological and socio-economic risks of the inter-basin water transfer, particularly regarding the Mokolo River and Limpopo River catchments, and neglects the need to consult neighbouring states in a shared watercourse.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The project assessment does not account for cumulative impacts related to climate change, which may exacerbate threats such as infrastructure development, water abstraction, and invasive species, and hinder the movement of flora and fauna through the construction of weirs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The use of the Department of Water and Sanitation's (DWS) Risk Matrix approach is deemed insufficient for a project of this scale because it does not assess the significance of impacts as required by the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is a high risk of transferring poor water quality and invasive biota from the donor catchment to the recipient catchments; the Hartbeespoort Dam is described as hypertrophic with frequent blooms of algae and Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The operational phase assessment for rivers is inadequate, specifically regarding the impacts of water abstraction from the Crocodile (West) River, the lack of a River Maintenance Management Plan (RMMP), and the effects of valve scouring in the ephemeral Matlabas River.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The baseline field assessments for rivers and wetlands were conducted only during a single low-flow season, failing to capture seasonal variations or high-flow characteristics, and omitted the analysis of nutrients in river water samples.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The Wetland Impact Assessment is criticized for contradicting itself regarding the inundation of habitat above the Vlieépoort Weir and for failing to provide information on the biota that inhabit or depend on the identified wetlands.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000444#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["water quality","climate change"],"geography_discussed":["Hartbeespoort Dam"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["environmental impact assessment review","technical critique"]},{"id":"cer-001167","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-001167","title":"COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED MOKOLO AND CROCODILE RIVER (WEST) WATER AUGMENTATION PROJECT (PHASE 2)","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":"2018-04-11","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MCWAP-2-SCOPING-REPORT-COMMENTS-11-4-18.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","geography_discussed"],"summary":{"text":"The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for Earthlife Africa NPC and groundWork, submitted comments on 11 April 2018 regarding the draft Scoping Report for the Mokolo and Crocodile River (West) Water Augmentation Project (Phase 2) (MCWAP-2). The CER argues that the project is based on outdated assumptions regarding South Africa's energy needs and fails to adequately assess climate change, water reserves, and indirect environmental and health impacts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Scoping Report fails to allocate water for the 'Reserve', a legal requirement under the National Water Act, 1998, which takes precedence over all other water uses.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The CER argues that the Scoping Report's approach to climate change is insufficient and legally flawed, failing to meet the standards set by the Thabametsi judgment which requires a comprehensive climate change impact assessment (CCIA).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Scientific evidence suggests that climate change will likely reduce water flow in the Mokolo and Crocodile (West) Rivers due to higher evaporation and flash droughts, threatening the project's long-term viability.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project would enable the growth of coal-fired power stations and mines, which the CER claims will significantly increase South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions and conflict with the Paris Agreement.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document highlights risks of water pollution from the project's enabled developments, specifically acid mine drainage (AMD) and the leaching of toxic metals from coal ash residue into groundwater and surface water.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The CER contends that the public participation process was inadequate, providing only one month for comments on the Scoping Report and allowing the DWS only one week to address those comments before submission to the DEA.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001167#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":[],"geography_discussed":["Limpopo","Mpumalanga"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":[]},{"id":"cer-001596","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-001596","title":"21st Century Climate Change Impacts on Mokolo and Crocodile (West) River Flows South Africa","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2018-02-26","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Udall-Mokolo-Crocodile-Rivers-Analysis-Notarized-.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The analysis concludes that river flows in the Mokolo and Crocodile (West) catchments are very likely to decline due to a combination of projected precipitation decreases and increased evaporation driven by rising temperatures. Using the American Southwest as a semi-arid analog, the author argues that temperature-induced flow declines will occur even if modest precipitation increases happen. The report warns that these systems are already over-allocated and that further warming, potentially reaching 5°C under high-emissions scenarios, will exacerbate water shortages and increase the frequency of 'flash droughts'.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Temperature increases in the Mokolo and Crocodile (West) catchments are virtually certain, with projections ranging from approximately 2°C to 5°C by the end of the century, depending on greenhouse gas emission levels.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Annual precipitation is projected to decrease in both catchments, with the Mokolo basin showing consistent drying across all models and future periods. The Crocodile (West) basin may see modest increases by mid-century under some scenarios, but is projected to experience declines by the end of the century.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"River flows are very likely to decline because higher temperatures increase evaporation and evapapotranspiration, which can overwhelm any modest increases in precipitation.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Based on data from the American Southwest analog, a 3°C warming could reduce river flows by about 20%, and a 5°C warming could reduce them by nearly 35%; counteracting these declines would require annual precipitation increases of 10% to 17%, which is deemed unlikely.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Future precipitation is expected to occur on fewer days with greater intensity, leading to longer dry periods and an increased likelihood of 'flash droughts' in South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001596#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["anthropogenic climate change","precipitation","climate change","water management","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["Southwestern United States","Colorado River Basin","Rio Grande","Limpopo","Gauteng","North West"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["qualitative analysis","climate projection","comparative study"]},{"id":"cer-000494","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000494","title":"annexures-1-f9f3564c86a643a7.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Annexures-1.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This Climate Resilience Assessment (CRA), conducted by Environmental Resources Management Southern Africa Pty (Ltd) in January 2017, evaluates climate-related risks for the proposed 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station in Lephalale, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The report identifies key vulnerabilities related to increasing temperatures, water scarcity, and extreme weather events, proposing adaptation measures to enhance the project's long-term resilience.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Thabametsi Power Station is proposed as a 1,200 MW coal-fired facility to be constructed in two phases: Phase 1 (630 MW) and Phase 2 (570 MW). The plant will utilize circulating fluidised bed (CFB) technology, sub-critical steam conditions, and dry cooling technologies.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Climate projections for the Lephalale area for the 2040-2060 period, based on a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario, indicate that temperatures are likely to rise by 2-3°C compared to a 1961-2000 baseline. This increase is expected to lead to more heatwave events and a higher frequency of 'hot' (above 30°C) and 'very hot' (above 35°C) days.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"There is significant uncertainty regarding future precipitation in the region; while some climate models project an increase in seasonal and annual precipitation, others project a decrease. However, dry spells between March and August are projected to increase in duration, raising the risk of drought.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Increasing temperatures are identified as a high risk that will likely reduce the thermal efficiency of the power plant, leading to higher costs per MWh generated and increased efficiency losses. This risk is expected to remain 'High' even after adaptation because there are limited options to prevent these losses.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Water shortages and water quality issues are rated as high risks due to increasing water stress in the Mokolo / Limpopo Water Management Area (WMA) North and the Crocodile (West) WMA. The project's water source for Phase 1, the Mokolo dam, is fully allocated and will rely on the Mokolo Crocodile (West) Water Augmentation Project Phase 2 (MCWAP-2) from 2019, which faces uncertainty regarding available surplus from the Crocodile River catchment.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The project faces a risk to its 'social license to operate' because residents may blame industrial users for water shortages in a region already suffering from water stress and infrastructure issues. This risk is ranked as 'Medium' after adaptation measures, as the plant's ability to address widespread community concerns is limited.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Flooding of the Mokolo river poses a risk of infrastructure damage and polluted water overflows from ash dump ponds and other drainage systems. While precipitation projections are uncertain, national studies suggest flood risks may increase to the point where design standards are exceeded.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Proposed adaptation measures include 'hard' engineering solutions such as raising key infrastructure above ground level to create a flood buffer, installing covers on the raw water dam to minimize evaporation, and implementing an adaptive management approach to monitor risks over time.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000494#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["coal-fired power","climate resilience","water scarcity","thermal efficiency","flood risk","drought","adaptation"],"geography_discussed":["Mokolo River","Crocodile River","Vaal River"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Climate Resilience Assessment","Qualitative Risk Assessment"]}]}