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The document outlines a study by Natural Justice and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) focusing on the systemic barriers preventing women in Senegal's rural and coastal primary economies from effectively managing climate change. It argues that women possess essential empirical knowledge for resilience but are hindered by structural locks in local governance and a technocratic approach to public policy. The study seeks to move beyond viewing women as 'passive vulnerability' toward a model of legal empowerment that enables actual agency in decision-making processes regarding land access, inputs, and financing.

The Tsarafara community, operating as a Vondron’Olona Ifotony (VOI), successfully defended its management of the Andriankely Tsiazompaniry forest against a private land claim in the Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court of Madagascar in 2024. The case highlights the critical role of legal personality and 'intérêt à agir' (legal interest to sue) in ensuring local communities can access justice to protect conserved areas. The document argues that Madagascar's contribution to the global 30x30 target depends not only on expanding conserved areas but on securing the rights of the communities managing them, a priority reflected in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026-2030.

Natural Justice critiques the draft National Energy Policy (NEP) 2025 for Kenya, highlighting a contradiction between its clean energy goals and its proposal to continue oil, coal, and nuclear development. The organization argues that these fossil-fuel and nuclear pathways risk creating stranded assets and undermine climate commitments. Key recommendations include the adoption of a dedicated Just Energy Transition chapter, the mandatory use of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), and the alignment of land acquisition practices with World Bank standards. Natural Justice specifically urges the removal of nuclear energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the policy in favor of geothermal, solar, and wind alternatives.

A submission by a coalition of civil society organisations—including Law for Energy Transitions Africa, Natural Justice, The Green Connection, and Project 90 by 2030—providing detailed comments on the draft South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) Code and Rules. The submission argues that the draft framework lacks sufficient alignment with constitutional rights and climate obligations, suffers from governance conflicts of interest due to the Market Operator's link to Eskom, and lacks transparency regarding costs and contracts.

The South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) is a proposed short-term trading platform for bulk electricity, expected to commence at the end of 2026. Governed by the Market Code and Rules, it allows power producers and large buyers to trade electricity one day ahead or in real-time. While intended to increase competition and transparency, concerns are raised regarding the conflict of interest since the Market Operator is housed within the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), a subsidiary of Eskom. The document highlights that the market's design could either facilitate a transition to affordable renewable energy or entrench fossil fuel generation and financial risks for municipalities.

Motuoane Energy (Pty) Ltd is seeking to convert its existing Exploration Right (ER315) into a Production Right to extract helium and methane gas in the Free State. The proposed project includes drilling approximately 43 production wells, installing gas collection pipelines, and building a helium recovery and gas processing plant (CNG and/or LNG). Environmental Impact Management Services (Pty) Ltd (EIMS) is conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), currently in the scoping phase. Affected communities, including Virginia/Meloding, Theunissen/Makeleketla, and Ventersburg/Mmamahabane, are invited to register as Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) and submit comments by February 23, 2026.

A factsheet detailing a legal challenge in the Western Cape High Court, South Africa, where Aukotowa Fisheries Primary Co-operative, The Green Connection, and Natural Justice are contesting a proposed 3D seismic survey for oil and gas reserves on the grounds of good governance.

The statement contends that Africa's reliance on fossil fuels leaves its communities vulnerable to external shocks, such as the economic ripple effects of the US-Iran war. It advocates for the implementation of existing frameworks like the African Single Electricity System and the African Union Green Minerals Strategy to achieve energy sovereignty and justice, arguing that transitioning to net-zero is more cost-effective than enduring the costs of global energy instability.

The document analyzes the proposed changes to Mozambique's Petroleum Law, arguing that while the government aims to attract investment and economic development, the law remains vague on community rights. It emphasizes that legally binding agreements between oil companies and affected populations are only effective if communities have independent legal and technical support. The text warns that the inclusion of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) may be used to justify continued fossil fuel extraction without addressing the costs borne by local populations. It calls for 'real consultations' and specific, verifiable benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure that extractive wealth does not solely benefit the elite while locals suffer land loss and pollution.

The document examines the revision of Mozambique's Petroleum Law, highlighting the risks that the new framework may prioritize investor confidence over community rights. It identifies key changes, such as the introduction of binding agreements with affected communities, human rights compliance reports, and the inclusion of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology. The author argues that without specific, enforceable rules on land rights, compensation, and benefit-sharing, these legal changes may remain symbolic and fail to protect local populations from the costs of extractive development.

Civil society organisations in Madagascar are advocating for urgent land governance reforms to combat corruption, land grabbing, and fragile tenure security. They recommend prioritising local farmers, women, and youth over foreign investors, formalising community land rights, and ensuring local communities have a central role in environmental and investment projects.

The Climate Litigation Lab report summarizes discussions from a 2025 event in Magaliesburg, South Africa, focusing on Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and the legal challenges facing environmental defenders in Africa.

The document describes a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for proposed large-scale developments in the Namakwa region. These developments include a deep-water port, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), green hydrogen projects, and supporting infrastructure such as desalination plants and rail. The SEA is divided into two work packages: WP1, focusing on the port and SEZ site, and WP2, which assesses the cumulative regional impacts on ecology, water, heritage, and socio-economics. The pamphlet invites community comments on the WP2 findings by May 8, 2026.

Natural Justice, The Green Connection, and the Aukotowa Primary Fishing Cooperative are challenging an Environmental Authorisation granted in 2023 to TotalEnergies EP South Africa S.A.S for ultra deep water exploration drilling in the Deep Water Orange Basin, approximately 200 km off South Africa's west coast. The organisations are asking the Western Cape High Court to set aside the authorisation and the dismissal of internal appeals, with hearings scheduled for 23 and 24 March 2026 in Cape Town.

This factsheet provides an introduction to South Africa's draft National Norms and Standards for the recognition of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which outline the process for recognizing biodiversity conservation in areas outside of formal protected areas.

The document examines the role of young human rights and environmental defenders (DDHE) in Madagascar, highlighting their innovative use of digital tools for mobilization and the systemic barriers they face, including security threats and symbolic rather than substantive inclusion in governance. It calls for the implementation of international biodiversity targets, the creation of permanent youth participation structures, and the adoption of a national law to protect defenders.

The document outlines the legal right of communities to participate in environmental decision-making for onshore oil and gas projects. It details the two primary phases of the EIA process—Scoping and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)—and provides a structured set of questions to help citizens identify impacts on health, water, livelihoods, and climate change when submitting formal comments.

The report details the disproportionate risks faced by women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) in Africa, including gender-based violence, criminalization, and digital surveillance. It highlights a significant gap between the actual violence experienced and official data, which often underreports attacks against women. Through country spotlights on Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, the document illustrates how patriarchal norms and corporate-state collusion exacerbate the vulnerability of WEHRDs. It concludes with recommendations for African states and international donors to implement gender-responsive protection frameworks, end the criminalization of activism, and provide flexible, long-term funding for women-led grassroots initiatives.

The document introduces a Just Energy Transition (JET) framework developed by Natural Justice specifically for African communities to ensure they are equal partners in energy system changes and benefit from the resulting social and economic developments.

The guidebook serves as a tool for Mozambican communities to safeguard traditional knowledge through legal mechanisms, including Geographic Indicators registration via the Institute for Industrial Property and Access and Benefit Sharing regulations via the National Directorate of the Environment. It also provides guidance on documenting traditional knowledge and developing Community Protocols, while noting that legal frameworks are currently evolving as of February 2025.