Following the widespread publication of plans by Royal Dutch Shell to conduct a non-stop, five-month-long seismic survey of South Africa’s pristine ‘Wild Coast,’ national outrage has erupted. The last two weeks have seen protest actions by communities and activist groups the length and breadth of our country, attempting to amplify the voices of our compatriots on the Wild … [Read more...]
Countdown to disaster for the Wild Coast
As the countdown begins to Shell’s seismic survey off the east coast of South Africa, conservationists are up in arms and are trying to beat the clock in efforts to stop Shell from following through with this operation. Shell announced their plans to commence seismic surveys along the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast, an area renowned for its high marine biodiversity, in just less … [Read more...]
Eco defenders protest Wild Coast-bound seismic testing vessel
On Sunday morning, before the crack of dawn, nearly 200 concerned environmental defenders took to the Waterfront to get a glimpse of Shell’s seismic testing vessel as it made its way into Cape Town harbour. The vessel travelled down the West coast of Africa, on its way to the Wild Coast, to conduct seismic surveys for an estimated five months. The Green Connection’s … [Read more...]
West Coast oil exploration opposed by civil society
This week, The Green Connection submitted its comments critiquing several aspects of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, particularly the lack of procedural fairness, as well as the conclusions reached – notwithstanding information gaps and scientific uncertainty – that should form part Tosaco Energy’s request to undertake various activities in Block 1, off the … [Read more...]
Extraction’s devastating impact on small-scale fishers
The Green Connection’s (GC) first ever Oceans Tribunal – which took place on 21-22 September 2021 – was marked by heart-wrenching stories and presentations from small-scale fishers and other communities whose livelihoods are being destroyed by extractive industries. Part of its ‘Who Stole Our Oceans’ campaign, the Tribunal – attended by more than 200 people – aims to … [Read more...]
Electricity generation licences approved for Karpowership project
The Green Connection (GC) finds it totally unacceptable that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved electricity generation licences for the Karpowership project, which has been mired in controversy since it was touted as a so-called emergency solution, more than a year ago. Nersa made the announcement today (21 September). According to The Green … [Read more...]
Nersa Electricity Generation Application Process “flawed”
Earlier this week, The Green Connection and others made their oral presentations at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) public hearings regarding the Karpowership SA electricity generation application. According to the environmental justice organisation’s Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid, “While the Green Connection is on record for objecting to the floating … [Read more...]
Fishing communities respond to Karpowership SA appeal
On 16 August 2021, the Green Connection submitted its response to the appeal – by Karpowership SA, and others – against the decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to refuse environmental authorisations for the floating power plants (FPPs). Small-scale fishers from the West Coast and other stakeholders are also sending responses to … [Read more...]
Civil society welcomes decision to reject Karpowerships
Environmental justice groups and coastal communities are celebrating an unexpected victory. Civil society groups have been alleging that the EIA processes were flawed, and yesterday, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) made public its decision to refuse all three environmental authorisations applications (EA) for the gas-to-power projects proposed for … [Read more...]
Fishers around SA protest against Karpowership plans
Hundreds of people from fishing communities near Langebaan and Saldanha on the Cape’s West Coast took to Friday Island Beach on World Ocean Day (8 June), to “Say No to Karpowerships”. The protesters turned up in droves to demonstrate their rejection of the government’s plans to allow the so-called Karpowerships to anchor offshore, proposed to assist the government’s power … [Read more...]
Recent energy sector developments welcomed by local NPO
The Green Connection’s Liziwe McDaid welcomes two recent developments in the energy sector that are seen as a massive boost to pro-climate activists. On 26 May 2021, it was reported that a Dutch court had ordered Royal Dutch Shell to dramatically slash its CO2 emissions in a landmark climate ruling, which stipulates that the oil company must slash its emissions by 45% by 2030 … [Read more...]
Oil and gas not valid transition fuels for SA
In the wake of his speech yesterday, the Green Connection voices its dissatisfaction with Minister Gwede Mantashe’s energy budget, which continues to place too much emphasis on oil and gas – neither of which are valid transition fuels that reduce the country’s carbon emissions. Not only does the use of gas threaten to derail South Africa’s efforts to meet its conditions of the … [Read more...]
Additional offshore drilling plans for Mossel Bay on hold
The Green Connection and its partners – small-scale subsistence fishers from around the country – have welcomed TOTAL E & P South Africa B.V’s announcement that it will postpone their application for additional drilling and associated activities in Block 11B/12B off South Africa’s south coast. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process has also been … [Read more...]
