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This report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) evaluates the air quality, health, and economic impacts of the proposed Lephalale Coal Mine (LCM) and its associated independent power plant (IPP) in South Africa. The analysis identifies significant underestimates in a previous environmental impact assessment (EIA) and projects substantial premature deaths, morbidity, and economic losses over the project's 35-year lifecycle, particularly if coal is burnt at existing power plants lacking emission controls.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) submitted a statement in August 2009 expressing concerns over proposed minimum emission limits. BUSA argues that the standards are unjustifiably stringent, deviate from previous industry discussions during the SABS process, and fail to account for the operational realities of upset conditions, potentially harming the competitiveness of South African manufacturing and exports.

A letter from Sasol to the South African Department of Energy dated 20 April 2012, detailing concerns that compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) may negatively impact national energy security and increase operational costs for the energy industry.

A letter from National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated September 1, 2011, detailing the refinery's air quality compliance status and proposing amendments to the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Natref argues that the proposed 2015 SO2 limits are unachievable and requests that the DEA recognize the emissions reductions achieved through its Residual Crude Desulphurization (RCD) unit.

The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) submitted a statement to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs on 7-8 May 2013, opposing proposed amendments to the Section 21 listed activities of the Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004). The LRC argues that the 2012 amendment process lacked administrative fairness and transparency compared to the 2009 process, resulting in reduced standards for major polluters and extended compliance timeframes.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights explains the purpose and importance of the Climate Change Bill introduced to Parliament in February 2022. The document outlines how the proposed law aims to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, manage climate adaptation, and define the roles of government bodies to ensure South Africa can respond safely to climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights explains the purpose and importance of the Climate Change Bill tabled in the South African Parliament in February 2022, outlining its goals for mitigation, adaptation, and government accountability.

This supporting affidavit, deposed by Disha Govender on behalf of the Ndifuna Ukwazi Trust (NU), seeks the admission of NU as the fifth amicus curiae in a High Court case (A155/19). The document outlines NU's mission to advance urban land justice and human rights in South Africa, specifically through a multipronged approach combining litigation, research, and community advocacy. It argues that the legal model used by public interest law centres—acting in their own interest, the public interest, and on behalf of clients—is essential for accessing justice and realizing constitutional rights, and that any ruling against this model would adversely impact NU's work.

A fact sheet based on University of Cape Town research finds that adding 1.5 GW of new coal power to South Africa's electricity system would increase costs, raise electricity prices by 0.5%, and lead to GDP and job losses by 2030. The document asserts that a least-cost plan would exclude new coal and that proceeding with coal would increase the cost of meeting 2030 climate targets by R74 to R109 billion.

A joint submission by seven South African civil society organisations providing detailed critiques and proposed amendments to the 2019 draft regulations on financial provisioning for mining and exploration. The organisations advocate for increased public participation, a shift from annual to triennial financial reviews, stronger ring-fencing of funds during liquidation to prevent environmental degradation, and more precise legal definitions to ensure the 'polluter pays' principle is upheld.

This document is a legal statement from the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (representing the National Department) responding to an application by several parties regarding air quality management in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA). The Minister defends the implementation of the Highveld Plan, arguing that the government has substantially complied with its goals through a co-operative governance model involving national, provincial, and municipal spheres, as well as private industry. The statement rejects the demand for additional regulations under section 20 of the Air Quality Act, asserting that existing tools and the progressive realization of environmental rights are sufficient. It also details the Minister's refusal to grant emission exemptions to Eskom and Sasol.

The document is an answering affidavit from the Minister of the National Department of Environmental Affairs regarding a legal application by the Centre for Environmental Rights. The Minister defends the government's air quality management in the Highveld Priority Area, arguing that the Highveld Plan is a 'living document' that has been approximately 80% implemented. The Minister disputes the necessity of creating specific regulations under section 20 of the Air Quality Act, citing resource constraints and the need to balance environmental rights with socio-economic growth and energy security.

This document is a statement from the Minister of the National Department (South Africa) responding to an application regarding air quality in the Highveld Priority Area. The Minister defends the government's environmental management tools, denies a lack of cooperation between national departments, and argues that non-compliance with air quality standards does not automatically constitute a constitutional breach.

This document contains the First Respondent's (the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) heads of argument in a judicial review application brought by Earthlife Africa. The Minister argues that the application is fatally flawed because it relies on new evidence not presented during the original administrative decision-making process and seeks to treat the court as an appeal tribunal rather than a review court. The Minister contends that the environmental authorisation (EA) granted to Lephalale Coal Mines (Pty) Ltd was rational, reasonable, and compliant with the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), specifically regarding need and desirability, climate change impacts, and public participation.

A letter from the Minister of Environmental Affairs of South Africa to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding a request to review and strengthen the National Dust Control Regulations.

This statement, submitted by Earthlife Africa, argues that the environmental authorisation for the Thabametsi coal-fired power station was granted unlawfully because it lacked a necessary climate change impact assessment. The document outlines the specific requirements for such an assessment and presents four legal grounds for reviewing and setting aside the decisions made by the Chief Director and the Minister, citing breaches of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the 2010 EIA Regulations.

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) submitted this supporting affidavit to the High Court of South Africa to be admitted as an amicus curiae in a case involving a water use licence for a proposed coal mine. The EELC argues that the second respondent's attempt to seek punitive costs against public interest lawyers creates a "chilling effect" that discourages the representation of marginalised actors and threatens access to justice.

This 2019 South African government guide establishes generic Environmental Management Programmes (EMPrs) for the development of electricity substations and overhead transmission and distribution infrastructure. It provides a legally binding framework for mitigating environmental impacts, defining roles for project managers and environmental officers, and prescribing specific actions for waste management, vegetation clearing, and site rehabilitation.

A 2015 notice from the South African Department of Water and Sanitation declaring the exploration and production of onshore hydrocarbons requiring stimulation, such as hydraulic fracturing, as a controlled activity under the National Water Act, 1998.

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs granted Eskom postponements for compliance with minimum emission standards for particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides at the Grootvlei Power Station. The decision includes a phased reduction for PM until 2020 and extended limits for SO2 and NOx until 2025, coinciding with the station's scheduled decommissioning between 2025 and 2028. Eskom must also provide a PM pollution offset plan by March 2016.