Search Climate Insights Directory

The 2014 Natref Annual Emission Report, prepared for the Fezile Dabi District Municipality, details the pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions for the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Natref) from July 2013 to June 2014. The report focuses on compliance with the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) and Minimum Emission Standards (MES), providing sampling results for the main stack and several heaters, while noting pending installations for other sampling points.

This report details a passive sampling campaign for BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene) conducted at the Chevron Cape Town Refinery from June 2010 to June 2011. The study monitored air quality across 12 locations to assess compliance with national and international ambient air quality standards.

The 2005 WHO Global update on air quality guidelines provides health-based recommendations for particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Key revisions include lowering the ozone guideline to 100 ug/m3 (8-hour mean) and the sulfur dioxide 24-hour guideline to 20 ug/m3. The guidelines for NO2 remained unchanged. The document emphasizes that no safe threshold exists for many pollutants, meaning guidelines aim to reduce risk rather than eliminate it entirely. It also introduces interim targets to help highly polluted areas progressively reduce concentrations.

This document consists of a 2003 letter from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and a 1994 registration certificate issued under the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act, 1965, regarding the operations of the Caltex Oil (SA) (Pty) Ltd petroleum refinery in Milnerton, South Africa.

The Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for eThekwini Municipality, produced in April 2007 by eThekwini Health and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, establishes a scientific framework to address urban air pollution. The plan focuses on priority pollutants—including sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, benzene, and odours—particularly within the industrialised South Durban Basin. It integrates a monitoring network, emission inventories, and dispersion modelling via the AirQUIS software system to inform abatement strategies and ensure compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act of 2005.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights documents a chronological list of industrial incidents, accidents, and pollution events associated with the Engen and SAPREF refineries in South Durban between 1994 and 2011.

This document is a set of records from the Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) of the Republic of South Africa regarding the monitoring and enforcement of Environmental Management Programme (EMP) conditions for a specific project. It details site inspections, non-compliance issues related to waste and erosion, and the subsequent directives issued to the responsible party to remedy these failures.

This document consists of a final project report (2006) and a related academic paper (2013) regarding the South Durban Health Study. The research, funded by the eThekwini Municipality as part of the Multipoint Plan, assessed the impact of industrial pollution on the respiratory health of schoolchildren and adults in south Durban compared to a non-industrial northern control area. The study found that children in the industrial south had a significantly higher risk of persistent asthma and marked airway hyperreactivity, with evidence that ambient pollutants like SO2, NO2, and particulate matter contributed to decrements in lung function, particularly in sensitive subpopulations.

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs responded to a PAIA request from the Centre for Environmental Rights, agreeing to release redacted lists of GHG emission data providers and pollution prevention plans. However, it deferred access to annual progress reports for 90 days and noted that several companies, including Anglo American Plc and Glencore, failed to submit required pollution prevention plans or GHG reports.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa granted environmental authorisation to Limpopo Coal Company (Pty) Ltd (LCC), a subsidiary of Coal of Africa Limited, for the Vele Colliery project. This authorisation, issued under section 24G of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), rectifies the unlawful commencement of several listed activities, including road construction, vegetation clearance, and the building of a slurry dam. The project is a phased coal mine with an estimated 29-year lifespan, consisting of open cast and underground operations.

A letter from the South African Department of Mineral Resources to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding a request for information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000, concerning the Optimum Colliery.

A decision by the Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa to grant a request for access to information made by the Centre for Environmental Rights, overturning a previous refusal by the Deputy Information Officer.

A decision letter from the South African Department of Mineral Resources to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding a request for access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000.

A letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) regarding a request for access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA).

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa has refused an application for Environmental Authorisation submitted by Karpowership SA (Pty) Ltd for a 540MW Gas to Power Powership Project at the Port of Ngqura. The refusal is based on significant failures in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including inadequate public consultation, missing critical specialist studies on underwater noise, and gaps in the provided environmental assessments.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) of South Africa has refused an application for Environmental Authorisation submitted by Karpowership SA (Pty) Ltd for a 540MW Gas to Power Powership Project at the Port of Richards Bay. The refusal is based on significant failures in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including inadequate public participation, contradictory specialist reports, and critical gaps in assessing impacts on marine and avian biodiversity.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) of South Africa has refused an application for Environmental Authorisation submitted by Karpowership SA (Pty) Ltd for a 415MW Gas to Power Powership Project at the Port of Saldanha. The refusal is based on significant failures in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including inadequate public consultation, gaps in specialist studies, and non-compliance with legislative requirements.

The Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy for South Africa is a national roadmap designed to transition the country from a raw material supplier to a global hub for processed critical minerals and high-value end products. The strategy focuses on leveraging South Africa's vast reserves of platinum group metals, manganese, and vanadium to support the global energy transition, specifically in sectors like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and renewable energy. It outlines six strategic pillars—geoscience mapping, value addition, R&D, infrastructure, financial instruments, and regulatory harmonisation—to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic resilience while navigating complex geopolitical tensions and promoting regional integration within Africa.

This document provides a standard directive and guidelines for applicants seeking prospecting rights, mining rights, or mining permits under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002). It outlines the mandatory processes for notifying and consulting with communities, landowners, and other interested and affected parties to ensure procedural fairness and informed decision-making before mining activities commence.

A letter from the South African Department of Mineral Resources refusing a request for access to information submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of the World Wide Fund for Nature (SA).