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The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, sent a letter to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on 12 May 2020, extending the deadline for the government to provide written reasons for amending the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for sulphur dioxide (SO2) regarding existing solid-fuel combustion installations.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) submitted an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on April 30, 2020, demanding the provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for numerous communities across South Africa facing dire water shortages and sanitation failures during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a statement to the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries on 28 April 2020, providing expert analysis of air quality and health impacts resulting from emissions at Eskom's Kendal power station. The document presents findings from two expert reports by Dr Ron Sahu and Dr Andrew Gray, highlighting significant exceedances of particulate matter (PM) limits and associated premature deaths and health risks in the Highveld Priority Area.

A technical report by Dr. Ranajit Sahu for the Centre for Environmental Rights analyzing particulate matter (PM) emissions at Eskom’s Kendal Power Station from April 2016 to March 2020. The analysis finds thousands of exceedances of the Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) limit, suggesting that the plant's electrostatic precipitators are failing and recommending the installation of fabric filters or the shutdown of the facility.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) submitted an urgent request to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on 22 April 2020, demanding the provision of water tanks, reliable water supply, and sanitation packs for numerous communities lacking basic water access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), writing on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, submitted comments to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regarding a draft ministerial determination to procure 2,000 MW of new generation capacity. The CER argues that this procurement must prioritize clean, affordable, and renewable energy sources over fossil fuels to align with constitutional obligations and public interest, while criticizing the lack of transparency regarding Request for Information (RFI) responses and the inadequacy of the public consultation process.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action (VEM), wrote to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu on 9 April 2020 to demand urgent water provision for communities in and around eMalahleni. The letter highlights that several areas have lacked reliable water since September 2019, forcing residents to use contaminated streams, which increases health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for groundWork and Earthlife Africa NPC, has formally requested written reasons from the South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries regarding an amendment to the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The amendment, published on 27 March 2020, doubles the permissible sulphur dioxide (SO2) limit for existing solid-fuel combustion installations, which the authors argue is unconstitutional and unlawful.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for the Life After Coal Campaign, submitted a letter to the IPP Office of the Department of Energy requesting urgent clarification on the status of coal-fired power projects in relation to a draft determination for new generation capacity.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, writing on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, sent a letter to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy on 30 March 2020 seeking urgent clarity on draft determinations for new generation capacity. The letter questions the public participation process regarding these determinations and the specific status of coal-fired power projects Thabametsi and Khanyisa within the proposed 1500 MW coal allocation.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of itself and clients groundWork and Earthlife Africa, submitted a statement to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy opposing the draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, 2019. The CER argues that the Bill is a flawed replication of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) that fails to address the climate emergency, violates constitutional rights to administrative justice, and improperly encroaches upon environmental regulatory powers.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) wrote to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 17 February 2020, requesting updates on generation licence applications for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired Independent Power Producer (IPP) power stations. The CER highlights significant delays since the March 2018 hearings and argues that the applications are now based on outdated information due to legal challenges, lapsed authorisations, and the withdrawal of bank financing.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a letter to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on 31 January 2020, providing comments and proposed amendments to the Draft Amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Regulations, 2019. The CER criticized the timing of the public comment period, stating it occurred during the festive season, which hindered their ability to engage with clients and partners and compromised the public participation process.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted comments and proposed amendments to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy regarding the draft Mine Community Resettlement Guidelines, 2019. The CER expressed concern that the public commenting period coincided with the festive season, which they argue compromised the public participation process by hindering engagement with clients and partners.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a supplementary table of comments on the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2017 [B14D-2017]. The document details proposed amendments to several South African environmental laws, including the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA), and the Integrated Coastal Management Act (NEMICMA), offering specific critiques and alternative wording to strengthen environmental protection and enforcement.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provided comments on the 2019 Draft Amendments to the MPRDA Regulations, advocating for stronger protections for affected communities. Key recommendations include explicitly including civil society in the definition of interested parties, replacing 'consultation' with 'free, prior and informed consent' for customary communities, and improving the transparency and accessibility of public notices. The CER also raised significant objections to proposed changes in the appeals process and the imposition of fees for appeals, citing concerns over administrative justice and access to justice.

A cover letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights to the Department of Mineral Resources submitting a formal request for access to records under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000, specifically regarding the Tormin SLP 2019.

The Life After Coal campaign, comprising the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), groundWork, and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted formal objections on 29 January 2020 to Eskom's applications for alternative emission limits at the Medupi and Matimba power stations. The campaign argues that the applications are procedurally and substantively unlawful, violate the South African Constitution and environmental laws, and rely on a flawed air quality modelling approach in a priority area already suffering from poor air quality.

A statement from the Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, urging the Portfolio Committee on Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to prioritise the Climate Change Bill and accelerate South Africa's transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate severe climate risks.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a detailed table of comments and proposed amendments to the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2017. The document focuses on strengthening the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (NEMAQA) and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (NEMWA), specifically regarding air quality governance, atmospheric emission licences (AELs), and the management of contaminated land.