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Professor Peter Orris reviews Dr. Andrew Gray's modeling of emissions from 12 coal-fired power plants, a Synfuels facility, and a NatRef refinery in South Africa. Orris concludes that these facilities create a significant public health hazard, contributing to hundreds of premature deaths annually via PM2.5 exposure. He notes that while implementing the 2020 Minimum Emission Standards (MES) would significantly reduce PM2.5-related deaths, it would not eliminate all WHO guideline exceedances for SO2 and NO2. The review emphasizes the vulnerability of children and the elderly at sensitive sites like schools and hospitals.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights to the IPP Office of the Department of Energy requesting updates on the commercial and financial close deadlines for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power station projects, while asserting that neither project is currently capable of reaching such close due to outstanding licenses and pending litigation.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a letter to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 6 March 2018, requesting procedural details for public hearings regarding generation licence applications for the proposed Khanyisa and Thabametsi coal-fired power stations.

Greenpeace Africa argues that the draft IRP 2018 Update is inadequate for achieving a just transition to renewable energy and fails to meet South Africa's international climate commitments. The submission calls for the total removal of new coal and nuclear capacity, the elimination of artificial caps on wind and solar energy, and an accelerated decommissioning of coal-fired power stations. It highlights severe air pollution in Mpumalanga and the critical need to prioritize water security in energy planning. The document emphasizes that the plan must be based on the latest IPCC science to limit global warming to 1.5°C and should incorporate transparent data on costs and demand-side management.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) providing updates and requesting the status of electricity generation licence applications for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations.

The 2016 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration outlines specific demands from South African youth to integrate global sustainability goals into national governance. It calls for increased accountability, educational reform, improved basic services, and economic opportunities, with a strong emphasis on renewable energy, climate adaptation, and social equity.

The paper argues that South Africa's extreme inequality, high unemployment, and declining governance effectiveness are fueling social turbulence. It details a shift from state-sponsored apartheid violence to diverse forms of public violence, including service delivery protests, xenophobic attacks, and student unrest. The authors highlight a critical failure in security institutions and a lack of structural economic reform, suggesting the country is at a political turning point where economic stagnation and poor leadership increase the risk of future instability.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has written to the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa to question the allocation of $15,431.00 from the Australian Direct Aid Program to 'MRC Resources' for the 'upgrade of existing fresh water borehole'. The CER notes that the Direct Aid Program is intended for poverty reduction and sustainable development in local communities, rather than for profit-making Australian companies like Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC), which operates mineral sands projects in South Africa. The letter highlights significant social unrest and violence associated with MRC's projects, specifically mentioning the assassination of anti-mining activist Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe on 22 March 2016 in Xolobeni. The CER seeks confirmation of the recipient's identity, the location and justification for the borehole project, the application process used, and whether the funding was monitored.

South Africa faces a severe water crisis driven by climate change, population growth, and crumbling infrastructure. The report argues that the country must shift its focus from building new infrastructure to managing demand through water efficiency. Key opportunities for savings include improving agricultural irrigation (30-40%), reducing municipal leaks and household waste (12-30%), and increasing industrial efficiency. The document emphasizes the role of the business community in disclosing water use and investing in water-saving technologies to avoid economic instability and social unrest.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has written to the Minister of Mineral Resources, requesting the public release of compliance monitoring and enforcement data for the mining sector. The CER argues that the lack of public data allows companies to hide poor environmental compliance, which negatively impacts local communities. Although a previous Minister stated in July 2015 that mining sector data would be included in the Department of Environmental Affairs' annual National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report (NECER), the 2014-2015 NECER published in November 2015 contained no such information. The CER seeks confirmation that the 2015-2016 NECER will include this data or asks when the Department of Mineral Resources will publish its own report.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has written to the Minister of Environmental Affairs to address the absence of mining sector compliance data in the 2014-2015 National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report (NECER). Despite a July 2015 parliamentary commitment from the Minister of Mineral Resources that mining sector data would be included in the annual report published by the Department of Environmental Affairs, the CER notes that this information was missing from the November 2015 publication. The CER argues that the failure to make this data public allows companies with significant environmental impacts to hide their compliance status, which negatively affects local communities. The letter requests confirmation that arrangements are in place to include this data in the 2015-2016 NECER.

The monograph analyzes the systemic and leadership failures within the South African Police Service (SAPS) that led to the killing of 34 striking miners at the Lonmin Marikana mine. It identifies two critical shifts in the police response: the nationalization of the operation on 13 August and the decision on 15 August to launch a tactical intervention. The author argues that the operation was characterized by a blurring of command lines, the marginalization of Public Order Police (POP) expertise, and a reckless disregard for the risk of bloodshed. The document highlights how political pressure from the Minister of Police and elite interests influenced senior leaders who lacked operational experience, leading to a rudimentary tactical plan that violated the 'McCann principle' of minimizing lethal force.

The 2015 SAIIA Sasol Environmental Sustainability Project (ESP) is an educational competition for South African Grade 10-12 learners. Participants work in teams of three to produce a research paper of up to 12 pages focusing on a selected theme—Biodiversity, Climate Change, or Sustainable Development—and a specific topic such as energy, oceans, or air pollution. The project requires both a local and an international case example. The programme consists of three phases: the research paper, provincial or regional presentations for top papers, and the SAIIA Young Leaders Conference from 6-11 December 2015 in Gauteng, where top learners draft the 2015 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration for government and UN officials. Key deadlines include school registration by 11 May 2015 and final paper submission by 21 July 2015.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a statement to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) opposing Eskom's applications to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The CER argues that Eskom failed to provide required health impact assessments and future compliance plans, while monitoring data indicates that Eskom's emissions cause frequent, year-round exceedances of air quality guidelines, contributing to significant regional health risks.

The document presents findings from a 2013 South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) survey of 60 diplomats and experts in Pretoria and Addis Ababa. It argues that while South Africa's commitment to an 'African Agenda' and peace resolution is respected, its overall strategic direction has become 'confusing' and 'obfuscated' under President Zuma. The briefing warns against 'trophy diplomacy'—attempting to project global influence before maturing as a geopolitical entity—and recommends reviewing the Foreign Policy White Paper to better balance relations between Africa, the West, and the emerging South. It specifically suggests that South Africa leverage shared priorities between East and Southern Africa to resolve stalled negotiations for the Tri-Partite Free Trade Area between COMESA, the ECA, and SADC.

The report argues that South Africa's existing legal and policy frameworks, particularly those addressing social equity and industrial development, provide sufficient space to implement sustainable public procurement (SPP) without requiring new legislation. While the social pillar of SPP is well-established through Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and preferential procurement, the environmental pillar is less formalized but gaining traction through renewable energy targets and subnational initiatives. The document highlights that government spending represents 29.1% of GDP, offering significant leverage for sustainable development. It identifies a decentralized procurement system that allows provinces and municipalities, such as the City of Cape Town and Western Cape, to run pilot projects. The report recommends aligning SPP with existing investment incentives and developing specific technical guidance to scale up 'green' procurement.

The report outlines the South African regulatory landscape for construction, highlighting the role of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act and SANS 10400-XA in driving energy efficiency. It identifies the commercial property sector as the primary driver of green building certifications, while noting significant opportunities for 'greening' the social housing sector in the Western Cape through alternative building technologies (ABTs) and improved thermal performance standards. The document also details the role of the NHBRC in approving ABTs and the Western Cape Provincial Government's Green Economy strategy.

The report analyzes the South African green building sector, detailing the regulatory environment governed by the National Building Regulations and SANS 10400. It highlights the growth of the commercial green building market, the adoption of alternative building technologies (ABTs) in social housing, and specific strategic initiatives in the Western Cape to promote a green economy.

The 2014 South African Youth Communiqué outlines a series of recommendations to global leaders to combat sexual violence in conflict zones. The youth call for zero tolerance for perpetrators, the upholding of UN Resolutions 1325 and 1820, and the integration of sexual violence prevention into the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The document advocates for government accountability through the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute, security sector reform to address gender imbalances, and the creation of educational awareness campaigns and youth advisory boards.

The 2014 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration outlines youth-led recommendations for the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on economic inclusivity, environmental protection, and social equity in South Africa and globally.