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The document provides a comprehensive guide for South African small-scale fishing communities to navigate environmental laws and participate in decision-making processes. It details the legal framework—including the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)—and explains the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, mining, powerships, and hydrogen plants. The guide outlines how to engage in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), appeal authorisations, and use the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to hold developers and the government accountable.

The document is a comprehensive guide for small-scale fishing communities in South Africa to exercise their environmental rights. It details the legal framework—including the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)—and explains how communities can engage in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and legislative processes. It specifically warns against the risks of offshore oil and gas exploration, mining, and the impacts of climate change, using case studies like the Deepwater Horizon spill and the 2022 Durban floods to illustrate environmental and socio-economic vulnerabilities. The guide provides practical steps for accessing information via the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and highlights successful legal challenges against companies like Shell and Searcher to demonstrate the power of collective community action.

The document provides a comprehensive framework for small-scale fishing communities in South Africa to exercise their environmental rights against industrial developments. It details the legal landscape, including the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and explains the processes for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and public participation. The guide highlights the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, mining, and power ships, while emphasizing the impacts of climate change on coastal livelihoods. It concludes with practical steps for legal challenges and accessing information via PAIA requests, illustrated by case studies involving Shell and Searcher.

The document outlines proposed survey activities by Main Street 1549 (Pty) Ltd in Blocks 9 and 11B/12B off the southern coast of South Africa. It describes the technical nature of the surveys—including bathymetry, sonar, and ROV use—and the potential negative impacts on marine biodiversity, local livelihoods (fishing, tourism, and shipping), and cultural heritage. The pamphlet serves as a call for public participation, detailing a schedule of community meetings in March 2025 and the process for submitting formal objections or comments to SLR Consulting by 3 April 2025.

The document provides a comprehensive guide for small-scale fishers in South Africa to exercise their environmental rights. It details the legal protections offered by the Constitution and acts like NEMA and MPRDA, explains the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, mining, and energy projects, and provides practical steps for engaging in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and legislative processes to ensure community voices are heard in ocean governance.

Natural Justice critiques proposed amendments to South Africa's EIA Regulations, warning that reducing 'red tape' for seismic surveys, mining expansions, and fracturing could lead to long-term ecological and social harm. The organization advocates for maintaining full EIAs for high-impact activities and strengthening public participation to ensure a just energy transition.

Natural Justice argues that South Africa's proposed 2024 EIA regulation amendments must ensure full environmental impact assessments for high-impact activities, including hydraulic fracturing, seismic surveys, and coastal industrial construction, to protect ecological integrity and community livelihoods.

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 document outlines a framework for EU Member States to accelerate renewable energy deployment through Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs) without compromising biodiversity or public participation. It emphasizes that RAAs must be designated in areas with no expected significant environmental impact, requiring robust Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) and Appropriate Assessments (AAs). The guide argues that the presumption of 'overriding public interest' for renewable projects is rebuttable and must not bypass strict environmental safeguards. It further details the necessity of meaningful public consultation and effective access to justice at both the planning and permitting stages to ensure legal certainty and environmental protection.

The document outlines TEEPSA's plan to conduct exploration drilling in the southern part of the DWOB license block, located approximately 211 km from Saldanha. It details the environmental impact assessment process, the planned drilling activities—including the use of mobile offshore drilling units and support vessels—and the potential negative impacts on marine species, fishing livelihoods, and intangible cultural heritage. It urges affected parties to register and submit comments by February 19, 2025.

The document outlines TEEPSA's proposal to drill up to seven exploration and appraisal wells in a 15,000 km2 area of the Deep Water Orange Basin South, located approximately 211km from Saldanha. It details the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, the technical phases of drilling, and potential risks to marine life, fishing livelihoods, and the cultural heritage of coastal communities. The public is invited to submit comments on the draft Scoping Report by 19 February 2025.

Rhino Oil & Gas Exploration South Africa (Pty) Ltd has applied for two exploration rights, ER377 and ER378, to explore for natural gas, methane, helium, and hydrogen in the Free State Province. The project involves aeromagnetic surveys and the drilling of up to 20 wells, which may require significant water resources and infrastructure. Potential risks identified include water contamination, soil degradation, air pollution, and disruptions to agriculture and cultural heritage. The document emphasizes that the extraction of natural gas contributes to climate change through methane and carbon emissions. Public comments on the Draft EIA Reports are requested by 6 March 2025.

The Block Island Wind Farm, the first operational offshore wind farm in the U.S., utilized a community benefits agreement (CBA) to secure local support by addressing the island's critical need for mainland electricity and internet connectivity. Key successes included the hiring of a local community liaison and funding for third-party technical consultants for the town. The project resulted in a 40% reduction in electricity rates, the elimination of diesel generators, and the installation of broadband fiber optic cables. While early engagement was perceived as limited, the project's alignment with the island's infrastructure needs and the state's Special Area Management Plan facilitated its approval.

The IISD response to the DESNZ consultation argues that updated EIA guidance for fossil fuel projects should require the separate reporting of Scope 3, Category 11 emissions and the use of zero-emission baselines for new projects. It further recommends that the significance of emissions be assessed against science-based 1.5°C scenarios and the specific need for the project.

The document argues that the Science and Technology system (SCyT) can improve decision-making regarding forest plantations in northwestern Patagonia by characterizing territorial heterogeneity, assessing land suitability and impacts, and analyzing the social construction of problems. It suggests using cause-and-effect trees and the analysis of Ecosystem Services (ES) to determine who benefits from these activities.

The IISD response to the DESNZ consultation argues for more rigorous standards in assessing Scope 3 emissions for offshore oil projects, specifically calling for the separate reporting of Category 11 emissions, the use of zero-emission baselines, and the assessment of significance based on 1.5°C science-based scenarios rather than as a proportion of global emissions.

The report argues that offshore oil and gas activities pose severe threats to the global commons, specifically the oceans and atmosphere. It details how seismic surveys harm marine life, production leads to catastrophic blowouts and underreported methane emissions, transportation increases the risk of spills and invasive species, and improper decommissioning leaves a legacy of leaking 'orphan' wells. The document emphasizes that these risks are magnified by climate change and that existing legal frameworks, including UNCLOS and the polluter pays principle, should be leveraged to phase out offshore fossil fuel extraction.

The document outlines a legal framework for challenging offshore oil and gas expansion, focusing on rights to information and participation, duties to prevent environmental and human rights harm, and the responsibility of polluters to pay for decommissioning and remediation.

Based on 225 interviews with high-level stakeholders, the report finds that while climate and health policies are currently largely siloed across the six studied regions, there is a strong consensus that further integration is necessary to maximize co-benefits and address complex challenges. Common barriers include funding shortages, data gaps, and institutional silos, while opportunities include upcoming policy deliberations and rising public awareness. The report suggests strategies such as adopting 'health in all policies' approaches, increasing the use of scientific evidence, and enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration.

The report synthesizes 225 interviews with stakeholders to assess how climate and health policies are integrated. It finds that while these policies are currently siloed, there is a strong consensus that integration is necessary to maximize co-benefits and address complex health threats. The document identifies systemic barriers such as funding shortages and institutional silos, while proposing strategies like 'health in all policies' and the use of trusted health professionals as climate advocates.