SUBMISSIONS ON THE DECEMBER 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS LISTING NOTICES, 2014

The document argues that the proposed amendments to the EIA Regulations 2014 would lower the required level of environmental assessment for onshore exploration and seismic surveys, potentially ignoring significant climate and ecological risks. It specifically criticizes the shift of onshore exploration to Listing Notice 1, which only requires a Basic Assessment Report (BAR) rather than a full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA). The authors also express concern over the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRDA) and the potential for 'petroleum rights' to create regulatory gaps. Additionally, the submission advocates for more stringent regulation of the reclamation of residue stockpiles and deposits, arguing they should be treated as distinct activities due to their toxic nature. The document further suggests that the appointment of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) should be handled by the Minister or EAPASA to ensure independence from proponents.

• The proposed amendments would relegate onshore exploration to Listing Notice 1, meaning it would only require a Basic Assessment Report (BAR) instead of a full Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment (S&EIA). The authors argue this is 'untenable' because onshore exploration poses 'significant environmental, climate risks and socio-economic risks'.
• The authors argue that onshore and offshore seismic surveys should be moved to Listing Notice 2 to require a more stringent S&EIA process. They state that techniques like vibroseis and explosives can cause 'devastation' to vegetation, hydrology, and wildlife, and create plastic debris waste.
• The document expresses concern that the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRDA) introduces a 'petroleum right' that allows exploration and production under one license, which may conflict with existing EIA Regulations and create a 'lacuna' in the law.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2025). SUBMISSIONS ON THE DECEMBER 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS LISTING NOTICES, 2014. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-02-2025-CER-gW-Comments_EIA-Regs-2014_FINAL.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. SUBMISSIONS ON THE DECEMBER 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS LISTING NOTICES, 2014. 2025. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-02-2025-CER-gW-Comments_EIA-Regs-2014_FINAL.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=SUBMISSIONS ON THE DECEMBER 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS LISTING NOTICES, 2014 |date=10 February 2025 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-02-2025-CER-gW-Comments_EIA-Regs-2014_FINAL.pdf?x21779 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2025submissions, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{SUBMISSIONS ON THE DECEMBER 2024 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, 2014 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS LISTING NOTICES, 2014}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2025}, month = feb, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10-02-2025-CER-gW-Comments_EIA-Regs-2014_FINAL.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }