Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the link between human-caused climate change and extreme weather in Argentina, highlighting the role of the domestic oil and gas industry in driving emissions and the government's preference for fossil fuel production over renewable energy transitions.

A letter from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and other health professionals to the Premier of New Brunswick, warning against the pursuit of shale gas production due to documented adverse health impacts associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

A statement by Friends of the Earth International denouncing BNP Paribas for its alleged role in tax evasion and the financing of fossil fuels, issued in support of Florent Compain, who faced prosecution for a non-violent protest action against the bank.

A statement from an anti-fracking coalition in South Africa criticizing the government's plan to proceed with shale gas exploration in the Karoo, arguing that the process is undemocratic and prioritizes elite profit over the needs and rights of local communities.

This position statement by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) outlines the minimum legal and regulatory requirements necessary to govern the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in South Africa. The document argues that current proposed regulations under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) are inadequate, as they lack binding obligations, rely too heavily on industry standards, and ignore critical water and environmental legislation. The CER advocates for a comprehensive regime aligned with the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), emphasizing the precautionary principle, public transparency, and the establishment of a specialized inter-departmental regulatory unit.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies presents three plausible scenarios for South Africa's economic and political trajectory up to 2030: 'Bafana Bafana' (continued underachievement), 'Mandela Magic' (high growth and vision), and 'Nation Divided' (political instability and populist decline). Using the International Futures forecasting system, the author analyzes how leadership choices, particularly within the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance with COSATU, will impact GDP, employment, and social stability.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a set of minimum legal and regulatory requirements for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in South Africa. The report argues that the proposed fracking regulations published by the Minister of Mineral Resources on 15 October 2013 are inadequate, as they rely primarily on industry standards from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and fail to provide for meaningful public participation or sufficient penalties for non-compliance. The CER advocates for a comprehensive regulatory regime grounded in the South African Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), emphasizing the precautionary principle and the need for a specialized, inter-departmental regulatory unit.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) published a set of Minimum Requirements for the Regulation of the Environmental Impacts of Fracking in December 2013 to address the potentially severe effects of the shale gas industry.

Friends of the Earth South Africa and groundWork issued a letter to President Jacob Zuma opposing the lifting of the fracking moratorium, citing environmental risks, lack of public consultation, and the potential for increased greenhouse gas emissions.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a position statement calling for transparency and accountability in the South African government's decision-making process regarding shale gas fracking exploration licences in the Karoo basin.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a letter to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) on 12 August 2011, reporting on a series of community workshops regarding Shell's shale gas exploration applications in the Karoo. The CER highlights significant gaps in public participation, reports widespread community concerns regarding water and food security, and urges PASA to require additional consultation with disadvantaged communities before recommending a decision on the Environmental Management Programme (EMP).

A budget vote speech delivered by Minister Shabangu on 2 June 2011, outlining the Department of Mineral Resources' budget for the 2011/12 financial year, regulatory reforms to the MPRDA and Mine Health and Safety Act, the launch of a state-owned mining company, and specific environmental interventions regarding the Karoo and derelict mines.

This fact sheet by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that the Transatlantic Investment and Partnership Agreement (TTIP), also referred to as TAFTA, threatens to weaken European chemical regulations and public health protections in favor of less stringent US standards and corporate interests.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains the technical terminology, drilling methods, and operational inputs associated with the extraction of oil and natural gas from shale formations, specifically focusing on hydraulic fracturing.

This research paper examines the potential economic and environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas in South Africa, presenting three distinct scenarios to evaluate the trade-offs between economic growth and ecological preservation.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) proposes a standardized life cycle framework for shale gas to address inconsistencies in environmental impact assessments, spanning from exploration and production to use and site remediation.

This testimony by Sarah Forbes of the World Resources Institute, delivered to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, examines the early development of China's shale gas industry, the role of U.S.-China partnerships, and the resulting impacts on global energy security and the environment.

This executive summary from the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the global availability of freshwater in relation to shale gas and tight oil development. Using geospatial analysis and the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, the report identifies significant water stress in many regions with high technically recoverable shale resources, highlighting potential business risks and social conflicts arising from competition for water between the energy industry, agriculture, and municipal users.