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This report explores the use of ethnographic research to enhance the inclusivity and participatory nature of South Africa's just energy transition, specifically within the coal-dependent communities of Mpumalanga.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) submitted an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on 22 April 2020, demanding the provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for numerous communities lacking basic water access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and the Highveld Environmental Justice Network (HEJN), submitted preliminary comments on the Department of Environmental Affairs' (DEA) draft mid-term review (MTR) of the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). The CER argues that the draft review is outdated, lacks a systematic methodology, and fails to provide sufficient evidence to support its conclusions, ultimately concluding that the HPA's goal of achieving compliance with national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) has not been met.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a questionnaire to the eMalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) on 15 June 2016 to conduct a "mini shadow review" of air quality improvements in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) since 2007. The briefing seeks to determine if the municipality has the capacity, financial resources, and personnel to implement the HPA Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) and to assess whether emissions and ambient air quality have actually improved in the Middelburg and eMalahleni areas.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa responded to a request from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to develop regulations for the implementation of the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). The DEA declined this request, stating that the AQMP is a collaborative plan rather than a regulation and that existing air quality management tools are sufficient. The document also provides a detailed response to the 'Broken Promises' report, outlining progress in air quality governance, monitoring, and intergovernmental cooperation within the HPA.

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs amended the Environmental Authorisation for the Khanyisa Coal Fired Power Station in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, increasing its capacity from 450 MW to 600 MW and slightly realigning the access road to the north-west.

The Mpumalanga Province Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs has granted environmental authorisation to the International Company for Water and Power Projects to construct a bulk water supply pipeline. The pipeline will connect the eMalahleni Reclamation Plant with the Khanyisa Power Station.

The GroundWork Trust submitted a formal objection to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regarding an electricity generation permit application by ACWA Power Khanyisa Thermal Power Station (RF) (Pty) Limited. GroundWork argues that the proposed coal-fired power plant is unnecessary, economically unviable, and would cause severe environmental and public health damage in an area already suffering from critical air pollution.

A cover letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitting formal comments on the draft Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) and Air Quality Management By-law for the Nkangala District Municipality on behalf of the Highveld Environmental Justice Network, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg.

This document is a variation of an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Duvha Power Station. The licence, valid until 31 May 2017, regulates atmospheric emissions from listed activities including solid fuel combustion, petroleum product storage, and coal handling, setting specific emission limits for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

This document is a renewed Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Duvha Power Station. The licence, valid from 30 June 2017 to 30 June 2022, sets specific limits on particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, while mandating operational requirements, monitoring frequencies, and the implementation of an Atmospheric Emission Off-Set Plan to reduce PM pollution.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights outlines projected climate impacts across three geographic areas of South Africa—Limpopo/Lephalale, Emalahleni/Mpumalanga (Highveld), and the Western Cape and coastal regions—across three timeframes from 2021 to 2100, corresponding to temperature increases of 2°C+, 3-4°C, and 4°C+.

This document is a Provisional Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) and the accompanying decision letter issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs to Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd for the Khanyisa Power Plant. The licence authorizes the operation of solid fuel combustion installations for electricity generation, subject to specific emission limits, monitoring requirements, and environmental mitigation measures.

This document is a variation of the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for Eskom Holdings SOC Limited's Kriel Power Station, issued by the Nkangala District Municipality on 31 March 2015. The variation follows a postponement decision and establishes updated emission limits, monitoring requirements, and general conditions for the station's operation until 31 March 2019.

The Appeals Registrar of the Nkangala District Municipality has directed that the issue of the municipality's jurisdiction to hear an appeal regarding an atmospheric emission license for ACWA Power must be resolved before any Pre-Appeal Hearing. The Registrar set deadlines for Heads of Argument in November 2018, with a final decision expected by 23 November 2018.

This document is a formal response from the eMalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) to a questionnaire from the Centre for Environmental Rights. The questionnaire seeks to determine if air quality in the Nkangala District Municipality has improved since 2007. The ELM reports significant resource constraints, a lack of operational monitoring equipment, and an inability to confirm air quality improvements, noting that physical observations suggest pollution is worsening.