Environmental justice group Earthlife Africa, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), is challenging the environmental authorisation of a proposed new coal mine in Limpopo in light of the serious threats that it poses to the region’s air quality, climate impacts and for dismal consultation with affected communities. On 29 July 2022, environmental justice … [Read more...]
It’s time to uproot the DMRE
Solutions to South Africa’s crippling energy and climate crisis exist. Yet they are being blocked by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) under the leadership of Minister Gwede Mantashe. Mantashe’s DMRE is holding back a rapid and just transition to renewable energy - the fastest, most affordable way to solve load shedding. Instead, they are working to lock … [Read more...]
Decommissioning of coal-fired power plants needed
Concerns surrounding a global climate emergency have brought into sharp focus the need to mobilize increased investment flows towards clean energy. Such flows are needed to fund incremental power generating capacities that are non-polluting. Capital is already shying away from backing new coal-fired thermal power plants. These complementary imperatives and trends are … [Read more...]
Community-based just transition dialogues are a must
Last year, with the climate crises getting worse, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg kicked-off – in various communities in Limpopo, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape – what may be its most important campaign yet, the Just Transition Public Participation Dialogues. In a bid to ensure that communities are not left behind as the country moves toward the just transition, Earthlife Africa is … [Read more...]
Cutting ties with fossil fuels critical to SA’s future
Amidst blackouts, rampant electricity tariff hikes, and the mounting economic costs of air pollution, South Africa urgently needs to begin cutting its ties with fossil fuels and speed the transition to renewable energy to secure a better future for the country, says Alumo Energy Managing Director Rein Snoeck Henkemans. “Despite President Ramaphosa’s commitment to new energy … [Read more...]
Ignore the climate crises at the cost of human rights
As one of the world’s biggest carbon-emitters dependent on coal for 80% of its electricity, South Africa’s pivot to renewable energy, as part of a just transition, is imperative. Through its event for International Human Rights Day 'Accelerating a Just Transition through Human rights,' Earthlife Africa Johannesburg highlights the urgent need to recognise the intersection … [Read more...]
Greenpeace demands more climate action from SA government
Last week, Greenpeace Africa demanded more climate action from the South African government. Activists gathered in Gandhi Square to display a banner that read: "Government, All Eyes On You!" The organisation is calling for the South African government to use the recently approved just transition partnership, valued at R131 billion, to fast track the implementation of a just … [Read more...]
China cancels giant SA coal project
The Government of the People’s Republic of China has confirmed in correspondence with Fossil Free South Africa that China will no longer be funding a new 3GW coal-fired power plant in the planned Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MM-SEZ) in Limpopo Province. Chinese premier Xi Jinping announced China’s end to funding of overseas coal projects in an address at the United … [Read more...]
30% GHG emission reduction by 2030 not enough
In September 2021, Sasol announced disappointingly modest and self-contradictory plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. As the company heads towards its 2021 shareholder AGM on 19 November, at which it will table its own non-binding vote on its emission reduction plans, this press briefing note outlines our response to Sasol’s latest targets. It’s no … [Read more...]
South Africa’s first climate finance deal is a promising start
Climate and environmental justice groups cautiously welcome the $8.5 billion partnership announced at COP26, but demand transparency about the scope and conditions, and accountability by lenders, beneficiaries and the South African government. The partnership between the governments of South Africa, the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU will mobilise $8.5 billion (R131 … [Read more...]
Kenya’s post-covid recovery should prioritise people not coal
A post-covid recovery plan should prioritise people and not a polluting coal industry, this is according to Greenpeace Africa. The Kenyan budget outlining the governments’ plans for Kenya’s Post COVID recovery released in June 2021 clearly shows the government’s intentions to prioritise coal over the health and well-being of Kenyans. The budget focuses on coal exploration … [Read more...]
Limpopo communities demand action on air pollution
This morning, in a peaceful demonstration – that started at the crack of dawn at the Medupi, Matimba and Exxaro crossing – Earthlife Africa Johannesburg joined local community activists in Lephalale in Limpopo Province, to demand that the World Bank forfeits its loan to Eskom’s Medupi coal-fired power station for failing to install pollution-abatement technologies to help ease … [Read more...]
Concern over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s fixation on nuclear power
Extinction Rebellion South Africa shares the concern voiced by many people and organizations over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s unreasonable fixation on nuclear power. In May, Minister Mantashe said, when addressing the Portfolio Committee: “We are going to explore all options, when there is appetite for nuclear in the market, we will go ahead with it.” Is that a sound … [Read more...]
