Search Climate Insights Directory
292 results
Poverty is unaffordable – there’s a big way out
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) issued a statement challenging the Centre for Development and Enterprise's (CDE) opposition to a basic income grant (BIG) in South Africa. The IEJ argues that poverty and economic exclusion are the primary barriers to growth, asserting that social protection and progressive taxation can stimulate the economy and create jobs, contrary to the CDE's claims that such measures are unaffordable or would hinder growth.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
OBJECTIONS TO THE WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED MOKOLO CROCODILE RIVER (WEST) WATER AUGMENTATION PROJECT PHASE2A (MCWAP-2A)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of Earthlife Africa and groundWork, submitted formal objections on 14 June 2022 to the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) for Phase 2A of the Mokolo Crocodile River (West) Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP-2A). The CER argues that the project is an unnecessary inter-basin transfer designed to support coal expansion, which contradicts South Africa's climate commitments and poses severe risks to aquatic ecosystems and local communities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
LIFE AFTER COAL CAMPAIGN COMMENTS ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE BILL, 2022
The Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa, submitted comments on the Climate Change Bill, 2022. The submission argues that the Bill is insufficient to address the climate emergency and lacks the urgency, ambition, and enforcement mechanisms necessary to meet South Africa's international obligations under the Paris Agreement and protect constitutional rights.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
The Climate-Conflict Nexus in Africa: A Conflict-Sensitive Approach
This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the complex relationship between climate change and violent conflict in Africa. It argues that while climate change acts as a 'risk multiplier' that can exacerbate existing political, social, and economic tensions, the link to violence is indirect and highly contextual. The document emphasizes the need for conflict-sensitive climate adaptation strategies, particularly in fragile contexts, and calls for the Global North to fulfill climate finance commitments to support the Global South.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED METALLURGICAL CLUSTER OF THE MUSINA-MAKHADO SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (LEDET ref: 12/1/9/2-V79; NEAS ref: LIM/EIA/0000793/2019)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several environmental and community organisations, has requested the urgent intervention of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) regarding the environmental authorisation of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) project. The CER argues that the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) is not the lawful competent authority due to a conflict of interest and that the project's scale and transboundary implications require national-level oversight under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
APPEAL TO THE APPEAL AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM, LIMPOPO
This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of four appellants—Earthlife Africa, groundWork, the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, and Dzomo La Mupo—to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET). The appeal seeks to set aside Environmental Authorisation (EA) No. 12/1/9/2-V79, granted on 23 February 2022 to the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd (MMSEZ). The EA allows for the site clearance of 3,863 hectares of indigenous vegetation and the development of bulk infrastructure in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. The appellants argue that the EA is unlawful due to procedural irregularities, a lack of authority by the decision-maker, failure to assess cumulative and climate impacts, and the disregard of cultural heritage and water scarcity issues.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
MANDATE
A mandate letter dated 23 March 2022 in which Bobby Peek, Director of groundWork, authorizes the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to lodge an appeal under Section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) against the environmental authorization granted to the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
MANDATE
A mandate letter dated 17 March 2022 from Phillipine Makoma Lekalakala, Director of Earthlife Africa, authorizing the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to lodge an appeal under section 43 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) against an environmental authorisation granted to Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
MANDATE
A mandate letter from Dzomo La Mupo authorizing the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to appeal an environmental authorisation granted to the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (SOC) Ltd for its Southern Site project in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
APPEAL PURSUANT TO SECTION 43(2) OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998, AGAINST THE NATIONAL AIR QUALITY OFFICER’S DECISIONS REGARDING ESKOM’S APPLICATIONS FOR POSTPONEMENT AND SUSPENSION OF COMPLIANCE TIMEFRAMES, AND/OR ALTERNATIVE LIMITS, RELATING TO THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AIR QUALITY ACT 39 OF 2004 MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS
This document is an appeal filed by groundWork and Earthlife Africa against decisions made by the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) on 30 October 2021. The appeal disputes the granting of compliance postponements and suspensions regarding Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for several Eskom coal-fired power stations, arguing that these decisions violate the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA), the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management, and the Constitution of South Africa.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
The ANC and South Africa
This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes political scenarios for South Africa leading up to 2029, focusing on the internal divisions of the African National Congress (ANC) and their impact on economic growth and national security.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
CLIMATE CHANGE INVESTMENT AND FINANCE OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
This report by WWF South Africa analyzes the financing gap and investment opportunities for climate change adaptation and mitigation within the South African agricultural sector. It highlights the sector's vulnerability to extreme weather and the need for a 'just transition' that includes small-scale farmers. The document identifies specific market potentials for AgTech, regenerative agriculture, and renewable energy, while recommending the development of innovative financial instruments, technical assistance facilities, and concessional finance to unlock private capital.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
EXPERT AFFIDAVIT
This document is an expert affidavit submitted by Susan Frances Brownlie, an Environmental Scientist and Environment Assessment Practitioner, in support of a legal matter in the High Court of South Africa. Brownlie confirms her authorship and the findings of a December 2022 report reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Authorisation for the proposed Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone in Limpopo.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
OBJECTIONS TO THE SEPTEMBER 2021 “FINAL” ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT [REVISION 03] OF THE PROPOSED MUSINA-MAKHADO SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, LOCATED WITHIN THE VHEMBE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE (LIM/EIA/0000793/2019)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, Earthlife Africa, and the Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa, submitted formal objections to the September 2021 Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report (FEIR) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ). The CER argues that the EIA process is unlawful, procedurally irregular, and based on inadequate specialist assessments, concluding that the project's negative impacts on climate, water, and health outweigh its projected benefits.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
APPEAL RESPONSE REPORT
This Appeal Response Report, submitted by Eskom Holdings SOC Limited to the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), appeals the National Air Quality Officer's (NAQO) decisions regarding applications for postponements from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for various coal-fired power stations.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Monitoring violence prevention
This research paper examines the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems used to track violence-prevention interventions in South Africa, specifically focusing on the interface between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The author argues that current M&E practices are driven by financial compliance and audit requirements rather than a desire to measure long-term policy effectiveness or community impact.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Research paper
Parliamentary legislative process, timeframes and role-players for the National Climate Change Bill
This briefing memorandum, written by Danjelle Midgley of the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), outlines the legislative process, key role-players, and estimated timeframes for the National Climate Change Bill following its introduction to the South African Parliament on 11 October 2021.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Climate impacts in southern Africa during the 21st Century
This report by the Centre for Environmental Rights, authored by Robert Scholes and Francois Engelbrecht of the Global Change Institute, details the human-caused climate impacts affecting southern Africa. It highlights the region's status as a climate 'hotspot' where warming is occurring at twice the global average rate, leading to severe risks for agriculture, water security, human health, and biodiversity. The document emphasizes that the severity of these impacts depends on global mitigation efforts, with warming above 2°C posing catastrophic risks to staple crops and livestock.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Climate Change Implications for SA’s Youth
This expert report by Nicholas King, commissioned by the Centre for Environmental Rights, analyzes the projected physical, socio-economic, and ecological impacts of climate change on youth and future generations in South Africa from 2021 through 2060 and beyond. It argues that under current 'business as usual' trajectories, large portions of the country may become uninhabitable, leading to systemic collapses in food and water security, infrastructure, and mental wellbeing.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Final Synthesis Report
This final synthesis report by the Centre for Environmental Rights provides strategic and technical guidance on managing sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from old solid fuel combustion plants in South Africa, specifically focusing on Eskom and Sasol facilities. The report utilizes a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to recommend minimum emission standards (MES) based on plant lifetime and economic viability, concluding that reducing SO2 emissions is technologically feasible and provides significant net societal benefits through improved public health and macroeconomic growth.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report