This report explores the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s (DBSA) critical role in fostering sustainable development through Local Community Trusts (LCTs) under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). When effectively managed, LCTs can empower communities and promote equitable benefit-sharing…
Eskom’s attempts to bypass air pollution laws challenged. For immediate release Civil society organisations Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and groundWork (“the Applicants”) have approached the Pretoria High Court to review and set aside decisions by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (“the Minister”) and the National Air Quality Officer (“NAQO”) granting Eskom permission to suspend… continued
Driving through Vanderbijlpark, especially on cold wintery mornings, you have an overwhelming sense that the environment, the rusty veld, the very air is deeply depressed and stifled. Most likely due to decades of violent pollution of land, air and soil from local industrial emitters, including those from steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA). The economic landscape… continued
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Court Victory – No new coal fired power The North Gauteng High Court, on 4 December, handed down judgment in the landmark constitutional litigation against the South African government’s decision to procure 1 500 MW of new coal-fired power. The court declared the decision unlawful and invalid, on the basis that there was insufficient… continued
Every year on 3 December, the world observes International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In South Africa, this important day is preceded by Disability Rights Awareness Month, which begins on 3 November until 3 December. This month-long campaign challenges us all to reflect on our inclusion of persons with disabilities in our society and how… continued
Launch of Fair Finance Coalition of Southern Africa’s 2024 Financing Fairly Report: Are Public Finance Institutions putting climate commitments on hold? Johannesburg, South Africa – On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, the Fair Finance Coalition of Southern Africa (FFCSA) will launch its 2024 Financing Fairly Report, ‘Are Public Finance Institutions Financing a (Truly) Just Energy Transition… continued
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 21 November 2024 We, members of the Stilfontein Solidarity Committee (SSC), composed of various civil society organisations, stand united in our concern over the ongoing situation inStilfontein. We are deeply troubled by the recent xenophobic remarks made by representatives of the state. Such utterances not only fuel division but also betray the principles… continued
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 07 November 2024 Cape Town, South Africa — On 29 October 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, marking the transition of the Bill to an enforceable law now known as the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 23 of 2024) (the UPRDA). The UPRDA marks… continued
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) present a landmark new legal opinion: Director Duties and Liability for Climate Risk under South African Law Board directors could potentially breach their duties to their company by failing to adequately consider, manage and disclose relevant climate-related financial risks, according to… continued
PRESS RELEASE: Cancel Coal case heard in North Gauteng High Court The North Gauteng High Court this week, on 9 and 10 October, heard landmark constitutional litigation against the South African government, demanding that it abandon plans to build 1 500 MW of new coal-fired power on grounds that new coal-fired power poses significant unjustifiable threats… continued
Cancel Coal: Legal Challenge of Government’s Plan for New Coal-fired Power Capacity MEDIA ADVISORY IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: 08 October 2024 Defending for Tomorrow: Cancel Coal Takes Constitutional Battle to Court WHAT: The legal challenge against the South African government’s plans to develop 1500 megawatts (MW) of new coal-fired electricity generation will be heard in the… continued
This article was first published in the Mail & Guardian The stark gender inequalities in South Africa, particularly in mining affected communities, are exacerbated by the inadequate mine closure. There are more than 6 100 abandoned mines, with about 2 322 of those mines being classified as high risk, including coal mines. Because these mines… continued
IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 28 AUGUST 2024 CONTACT: [email protected] An appeal in the legal battle waged by social and environmental justice groups groundWork and the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement (VEM) for protection from toxic air pollution – also dubbed the Deadly Air case – was heard in the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein on 28… continued
MEDIA ADVISORY DATE: 26 AUGUST 2024 WHAT: On 28 August, the ongoing legal battle for clean air in South Africa, led by social and environmental justice groups groundWork and the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement (VEM), will reach a critical juncture as the “Deadly Air” case is heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein…. continued
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 16 August 2024 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — Gas producer Tetra4 (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Renergen Ltd, which holds the only onshore Gas Production Right in South Africa, has been directed to resubmit its environmental authorisation application for its proposed production expansion to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum… continued
On 26 July 2024, the CER attended Renergen’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Sandton Johannesburg and raised key questions about the financial, environmental, and social sustainability of the company’s gas projects, in particular, its Tetra4 gas production company. During the AGM, it became clear that shareholders were concerned about the financial viability of the… continued
On Thursday 18 July 2024, the Mbombela High Court overturned the 2021 decision by former Mpumalanga MEC responsible for Environmental Affairs, MEC Vusi Shongwe, to exclude four properties from the Mabola Protected Environment. This ruling blocks the development of a new coal mine in the Protected Area near Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga. The case was brought by… continued
IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 26 JULY 2024 On 23 July 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the highly anticipated Climate Change Act into law. This pivotal legislation is designed to define, manage, monitor, and implement South Africa’s response to climate change. The Act is not yet operational, as it will only come into effect on a future date… continued
The environmental justice movement is reeling since hearing of the untimely passing of Comrade Samson Mokoena; a fierce fighter for the right to breathe clean air, he died on Friday 28 June 2024 due to pneumonia. Samson was born on 2 August 1976 in Vanderbijlpark, on the fence lines of South Africa’s most culpable polluting… continued
This year, the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is embarking on a new journey with our Rights & Remedies environmental course for activists. Rather than running the full course again, we are focusing on consolidating our progress, monitoring our impact, and evaluating our methods. This year of consolidation will allow us to enhance the effectiveness… continued