Search Climate Insights Directory

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted preliminary comments on the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill [B 14D-2017], specifically focusing on the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (NEMAQA) and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008. The CER requested an extension until 13 February 2020 to provide further submissions on the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) and mining matters, citing the festive season closure of their offices.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a table of comments and proposed amendments to the 2019 Draft Mine Community Resettlement Guidelines. The CER argues that the guidelines must move beyond simple consultation toward Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), expand the definition of compensation to include non-material losses, and ensure that resettlement processes are enforceable through amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) conducted a pilot study using the Fair Finance Guide International (FFGI) methodology to assess the sustainability of investment policies for two South African development finance institutions (DFIs): the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The report evaluates these institutions against international social, environmental, and human rights standards, specifically highlighting a lack of public policy transparency and insufficient commitments to phasing out fossil fuel financing in the power generation sector.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) filed an internal appeal on 13 December 2019 against the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries' decision to redact greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data and pollution prevention plans for several major South African emitters. The CER argues that the Department failed to provide adequate reasons for the redactions and that the information is of fundamental public interest, overriding claims of commercial confidentiality.

The Centre for Environmental Rights submitted an internal appeal on 13 December 2019 to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA), contesting a decision regarding a request for information (ref: PAIA 180509).

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting on behalf of groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, sent a follow-up letter to Minister Gwede Mantashe on 13 December 2019, requesting written reasons for the updated Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP) published on 18 October 2019.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting on behalf of groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, sent a follow-up letter to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 13 December 2019, requesting written reasons for NERSA's decision to concur in the promulgation of the updated Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP) published on 18 October 2019.

The Centre for Environmental Rights notified the IPP Office that the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries confirmed the environmental authorisation for the Khanyisa coal-fired power station expired on 31 October 2018 due to ACWA's failure to meet required conditions.

This document presents the draft regulations for greenhouse gas emissions intensity benchmarks under section 11 of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019. It outlines the methodology for taxpayers to determine sector-specific benchmarks and provides a detailed list of industry benchmark values for various industrial sectors, including mining, chemicals, and energy.

The document presents draft regulations for the Trade Exposure Allowance under section 10 of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019, in South Africa. These regulations establish a mechanism to provide transitional support to specific sectors and subsectors to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage and maintain industry competitiveness while implementing carbon pricing to meet Paris Agreement goals.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights to the IPP Office of the Department of Energy requesting an update on the commercial and financial close deadlines for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations, noting that the deadlines of 2 and 3 November 2019 have expired.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting on behalf of groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, submitted a formal request to Minister Gwede Mantashe for written reasons regarding the promulgation of the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Electricity published on 18 October 2019.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting on behalf of groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, submitted a formal request to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 5 November 2019 for written reasons regarding the approval of the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Electricity published on 18 October 2019.

An open letter from a coalition of environmental activists to President Cyril Ramaphosa urging that the South Africa Investment Conference (5–7 November 2019) prioritize responsible investment over the exploitation of natural resources, specifically opposing the weakening of water use regulations to attract business.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted formal objections on November 1, 2019, to the Final Scoping Assessment Report (FSR) for the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (also known as the Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone or EMSEZ). The CER argues that the FSR is fatally flawed due to inadequate public participation, a failure to conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and the appointment of an incorrect competent authority. The document details severe concerns regarding the project's impact on water scarcity, climate change, air quality, and biodiversity in the Limpopo Province.

This report by Dr. Ranajit Sahu provides technical comments on the Provisional Atmospheric Emission License (PAEL) issued to Thabametsi Power Company (Pty) Ltd. The author argues that the PAEL permits the use of outdated, inefficient sub-critical Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology and relies on flawed Atmospheric Impact Reports (AIRs) that underestimate pollution impacts. Sahu contends that the plant will exacerbate existing air quality violations in the Waterberg Bojanala Priority Area and that the license lacks adequate emissions monitoring and control requirements.

This document is a cover letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights, sent on 30 October 2019 to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, submitting an appeal on behalf of Earthlife Africa and groundWork. The appeal seeks to set aside a provisional atmospheric emission licence (PAEL) issued to Thabametsi Power Company (Pty) Ltd.

Premier Refilwe Maria Mtshweni-Tsipane officially determined 1 October 2019 as the commencement date for the Mpumalanga Town Planning and Land Related Laws Repeal Act, 2016, which had been assented to on 30 January 2017.

This document contains legal submissions by a coalition of eight environmental organisations, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights, appealing a decision by the Gert Sibande District Joint Municipal Planning Tribunal. The appeal seeks to revoke the approval of a land-use change application by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd to enable the construction of the Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine on Portion 1 of the farm Yzermyn 96 HT, arguing that the decision is unlawful, environmentally catastrophic, and contrary to national water security interests.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted a formal statement to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries opposing the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (SEZ), also known as the South African Energy and Metallurgical Special Economic Zone (EMSEZ). The CER argues that the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) process is fatally flawed and that the project poses severe risks to water resources, air quality, and climate commitments.