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The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting as part of the Life After Coal campaign, submitted a formal objection to Eskom's application to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for 14 power stations. The submission argues that such postponements are legally impermissible because the power stations are located in priority areas where national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) are not being met. The CER contends that the Background Information Document (BID) provided by Eskom is incomplete and misleading, and that the continued emissions cause severe health impacts and premature deaths in surrounding communities.

Dr. Ranajit (Ron) Sahu provides a critique of the revised Atmospheric Impact Report (AIR) for the proposed Thabametsi Power Plant, asserting that the revised document fails to address most technical deficiencies identified in a previous review of the April 2018 AIR.

A letter from the Life After Coal Campaign to the South African Minister of Health inquiring about the Minister's participation in the WHO's First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health and highlighting the severe health and economic costs of air pollution in South Africa.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), writing on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, has requested that the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) clarify its role in financing the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power plants. The CER argues that financing these projects would be unreasonable due to their high greenhouse gas emissions, negative impacts on water and air quality, and the fact that South Africa currently has surplus base supply capacity.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued this formal response on 16 August 2018 to a memorandum of grievances from The Voice Community Representative Council regarding legal challenges against a proposed coal mine by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd. CER clarifies its role as a non-profit law clinic representing eight civil society organisations, denies representing local farmers or specific agencies, and outlines the environmental and socio-economic risks associated with the proposed mine in a protected area.

The Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle (LAC) Campaign, comprising the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa, submitted a response to Minister Jeff Radebe on 8 August 2018. The letter argues against the construction of new coal-fired power plants, specifically the Thabametsi and Khanyisa projects, asserting that they are not the least-cost option and would undermine South Africa's climate commitments and public health.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted detailed comments on the Climate Change Bill, 2018. The CER argues that the Bill focuses too heavily on government bureaucracy and fails to address the urgency of the climate crisis or provide sufficient mechanisms for holding emitters accountable. Key recommendations include setting a strict, legally binding emissions trajectory aligned with the Paris Agreement, ensuring full public disclosure of carbon budgets and GHG reports, and establishing independent oversight and appeals bodies.

A formal letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, to Eskom's Board of Directors requesting information on the status of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for two coal-fired power stations: Thabametsi and Khanyisa.

A statement from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to the South African Minister of Energy and Director General of the Department of Energy, challenging the procurement of two coal-fired power stations (Thabametsi and Khanyisa). The CER argues that these projects fail the 'value for money' test, lack necessary legal authorisations, and would exacerbate climate change and economic instability.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018 is a strategic update to South Africa's electricity infrastructure development plan, extending the planning horizon to 2050. It evaluates various energy mix scenarios to balance security of supply, cost, and environmental impact, specifically focusing on the transition from coal to renewable energy and gas. The document also includes a Medium-Term System Adequacy Outlook (MTSAO) for 2018-2023 and a specific climate change and water resources assessment for the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power station.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a response on 16 July 2018 to the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality, reiterating objections to a land-use change application for a proposed mine. The CER argues that the subject property is a high-priority conservation area and that the Municipality has the legal authority and obligation under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) to consider environmental and water impacts, despite claims to the contrary by the applicant's agent.

This report provides a management framework for South Africa's Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs), which produce over 50% of the region's mean annual runoff from 10% of the land. It details the economic importance of SWSAs, their role in supporting millions of people and the national economy, and provides specific implementation guidelines for the forestry, agriculture, and mining sectors to mitigate impacts on water quality and quantity. It advocates for the integration of SWSA maps into strategic spatial planning and the expansion of protected areas.

This report by the Centre for Environmental Rights examines the negative environmental and social externalities of coal-fired power generation in South Africa, with a primary focus on water use, pollution, and the associated economic costs. It argues that current energy planning, specifically the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), fails to internalise these costs, leading to a misrepresentation of the total cost of coal compared to renewable energy alternatives.

This report identifies and delineates Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) for surface water and groundwater across South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It defines SWSAs as areas providing disproportionate runoff or high groundwater recharge that are nationally important for water security. The study identifies 22 national surface water SWSAs (SWSA-sw) and 37 national groundwater SWSAs (SWSA-gw), analyzing their contribution to urban centers, agriculture, and industry, while assessing threats from land-cover change, mining, and invasive alien plants.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several environmental justice organisations, submitted provisional comments on June 29, 2018, regarding the Department of Environmental Affairs' (DEA) proposed amendments to the 2012 National Framework for Air Quality Management in South Africa. The CER argues that the public consultation process was inadequate and that the draft Framework fails to address systemic failures in air quality monitoring, enforcement, and the achievement of previous targets.

This document is a formal response from a land development applicant, submitted by Peter Dacomb of The Practice Group, to the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality. The response addresses various objections and letters of support regarding an application to change the land use of Portion 1 of the farm Yzermyn 96 HT from agricultural to mining and related purposes under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013 (SPLUMA) and the 2016 Municipal By-law.

A letter from the South African Water Caucus (SAWC) to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, dated 27 June 2018, detailing a state of institutional crisis within the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and proposing priority actions to secure South Africa's water security.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted representations on June 25, 2018, regarding proposed amendments to the List of Activities resulting in atmospheric emissions. While supporting the elimination of 'rolling postponements' for minimum emission standards (MES), the submission argues for stricter requirements for once-off suspensions, greater transparency in application documents, and a more robust public participation process.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) sent a formal request to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 25 June 2018, demanding access to pollution prevention plans and greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting records. The CER disputes the DEA's claims of confidentiality regarding emissions data from major companies and calls for transparency to ensure the effectiveness of the national mitigation system.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a letter to The Voice Community Representative Council declining an invitation to debate a proposed coal mine by Atha-Africa Ventures Pty Ltd, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Instead, CER invited The Voice to visit Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, to see the actual impacts of coal mining and meet with affected community organisations.