Search Climate Insights Directory

This document is a formal letter from the Arnot Power Station Manager to the Air Quality Officer of DEDET, serving as the annual emissions report for the 2016/2017 financial year (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017). It details emissions data, monitoring system availability, and compliance with the station's Atmospheric Emission License.

A letter from Eskom to the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDET) providing reliability calculations for particulate matter (PM) and gaseous monitors at Arnot Power Station for the period of 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

A letter from the Minister of Water and Sanitation of the Republic of South Africa to Mr. Praveer Tripathi regarding the lifting of a license suspension.

This document is a replying submission by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd to the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources. It responds to an administrative appeal lodged by a coalition of environmental organisations against the approval of the Environmental Management Programme (EMP) for the Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine Project.

The Constitutional Court upheld an appeal by Bengwenyama Minerals and the Bengwenyama-Ye-Maswazi Tribal Council, ruling that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and Genorah Resources failed to meet legal obligations regarding community consultation, preferent rights, and environmental prerequisites.

This case study details a legal and administrative dispute regarding a coal mining application by Benicon Mining (Pty) Ltd on the farm Bankfontein in Mpumalanga. The Mpumalanga Lakes District Protection Group (MLDPG) appealed a positive environmental authorization, citing failures in biodiversity assessment, wetland delineation, and the underestimation of post-closure water rehabilitation costs.

This responding statement, submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of BirdLife South Africa, argues that a mining right granted to William Patrick Bower Pty Ltd (WPB) should be set aside. The document contends that WPB's replying submission was filed late and introduced new, unauthorized mine layout plans and hydrogeochemical data that were not available to the decision-maker at the time of the grant. BirdLife South Africa further asserts that the mining area contains endangered ecosystems and irreplaceable biodiversity, contradicting claims made by WPB.

The document details a dispute over coal prospecting rights granted by the Department of Minerals (DMR) to Samancor Chrome Limited, later ceded to Commissiekraal Coal (Pty) Ltd and Bright Coal (Pty) Ltd, on the Farm Commissiekraal in KwaZulu-Natal. The case is highlighted because the prospecting occurs at the headwaters of the Pongola river system, a highly sensitive area. While the landowner, Nico Lens, supported the activity, downstream users and environmental groups—including the Greater Pongola River Catchment Protection Association (GPRCPA), WWF, and the Impala Water Users Association—opposed it, citing a lack of consultation. The GPRCPA only discovered the operations by chance through a contractor. The case raises concerns regarding the DMR's interpretation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) concerning ecological degradation and the transparency of the transfer of prospecting rights. An administrative appeal against the prospecting right was lodged on 15 February 2011.

The document examines the effectiveness of Local Community Trusts (LCTs) in South Africa's renewable energy sector, specifically under the REIPPPP. It highlights the pivotal role of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) as a financier and oversight body. While some trusts like Sibona, Letsatsi, and Amandla are cited as successful due to robust governance and incubation by Globeleq, many others struggle with 'elite capture', mismanagement, and long periods of inactivity caused by debt repayment to DFIs. The report argues that LCTs are often established for compliance rather than genuine development and recommends a shift toward better trustee selection, improved loan terms, and mandatory transparency reporting to ensure a Just Energy Transition.

This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued on 31 March 2015 by the Gert Sibande District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Camden Power Station. The licence, issued under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004, regulates emissions from solid fuel combustion, petroleum storage, and coal handling, establishing specific operational requirements, emission limits, and monitoring obligations for a period not exceeding five years.

This annual emissions report for the Camden Power Station, submitted by Eskom to the Department of Environmental Affairs, details pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions for the 2015/2016 financial year (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016).

This document is an annual emissions report for the Camden Power Station for the 2015/2016 financial year (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016), submitted by Eskom to the Gert Sibande District Municipality. It details the verified emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases, while outlining ongoing infrastructure upgrades to reduce emissions.

The Gert Sibande District Municipality rejected an appeal by the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding the Eskom Camden Power Station, asserting that the decision to grant a postponement and amend the Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) was made legally and in consultation with the National Air Quality Officer.

A letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to Eskom regarding the application for postponement of compliance time-frames with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 minimum emission standards for the Camden Power Station.

This document is a formal letter from Eskom's Camden Power Station to the Department of Environmental Affairs, serving as the annual emissions report for the 2016/2017 financial year (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017). It details the verified emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases, while reporting on infrastructure upgrades intended to reduce emissions.

The report assesses the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP) proposal to add 1500 MW of new coal generation in South Africa. It finds that high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) technologies cannot eliminate significant greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution. Specifically, ultra-supercritical efficiency is the highest feasible thermal cycle efficiency given IRP requirements, while carbon capture (CC) and gasification technologies (IGCC and UGCC) are deemed unproven and cost-prohibitive at scale. The report highlights that circulating fluidized bed technology emits two to ten times more nitrous oxide than pulverized coal technologies. Beyond plant emissions, the coal supply chain—including mining, transport, and ash disposal—creates unavoidable air, water, and waste impacts. Finally, the report asserts that bringing new coal generation online by 2023 is unreasonable due to the time required for design and procurement.

This is a court order from the Constitutional Court of South Africa dated 25 July 2017, regarding an application for leave to appeal filed by Barberton Mines (Pty) Limited.

The Centre for Environmental Rights provides a guide outlining three mandatory criteria that a case must meet to be selected for support. These criteria focus on the advancement of constitutional environmental rights, adherence to the National Environmental Management Act, and considerations regarding funding, public impact, and the ability of the applicant to afford private legal services.

The document provides a legal primer on the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and details four community-led legal battles in South Africa to protect land rights and ensure transparency in mining operations.

A clarification letter from the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO) of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to the Centre for Environmental Rights regarding the postponement of compliance time-frames for minimum air quality emission standards (MES) for Eskom power stations.