A new report by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) questions the Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC’s) decision to extend finance to coal company MC Mining Limited for coal mining developments in Limpopo. This case study follows CER’s 2020 Financing Fairly Report, which found that the investment policies of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the … [Read more...]
Increased transparency needed in management of Cape baboons
In a recent letter to Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) highlighted a number of its concerns regarding the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) protocols in its management of baboons in the Cape Peninsula. The multi-faith NGO says that in recent years, members of the public have raised the alarm over aggressive baboon … [Read more...]
Join the fight for renewable energy in Africa
Africa doesn’t need fossil fuels to reach its development. As the least responsible, but yet most vulnerable to climate change, Africa must follow upon the Climate Vulnerable Forum pledge made by 16 African governments in November 2016 to accelerate the transition towards an economy powered by 100% renewables. Our fight against fossil fuels is a pathway to a united African … [Read more...]
SA’s Green Party: educating to empower
The Green Party of South Africa's manifesto is inspired by the fundamental right of justice to all, as manifested in the values that are shared by Green Movements around the Globe. In particular, the Ten Key Values of the Green Committees of Correspondence, as applied to the unique South African political, social and economic environment. 1. A System that Works It is a … [Read more...]
What is the state of environmental governance transparency?
Around 50% of the records requested from the Department of Environmental Affairs during 2015 were supplied to the Centre for Environmental Rights. The rest did not exist or were not under control of the Department. The Department of Mineral Resources released only 12.5% of requested records. The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has released its fifth report on access to … [Read more...]
Faith communities appeal minister’s refusal to reveal nuclear secrets
Faith communities, supported by the Right2Know (R2K) Campaign and others gathered outside the Cape Town Parliament to demonstrate against the government’s continued secrecy around the nuke deals. On 1 September, Minister Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Energy, told members of Parliament that she was committed to a transparent process around the nuclear deals. That same … [Read more...]
Cansa launches fracking transparency initiative
Cansa is worried hazardous substances & carcinogens could contaminate drinking water in the Karoo. The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) has launched an initiative which it hopes will force companies to be transparent, should fracking for shale gas become a reality in the Karoo. The association is worried hazardous substances and known carcinogens, which are … [Read more...]
Transparency demands amid Fukushima commemoration
Earlier this week, Greenpeace Africa commemorated the 2nd anniversary of the Fukushima disaster with a call to the South African government to ensure transparency and accountability in the nuclear build process. Early on Monday morning, Greenpeace activists staged a silent protest on Johannesburg’s Empire Road. The activists, dressed in black with stickers across their lips … [Read more...]
Africa’s energy future heading down a dark tunnel
The Conference of Energy Ministers in Africa - a two-year old institution recognized by the African Union and donors as the official voice of Africa's energy future - recently met for the second time and released a new declaration that can fairly be called double-speak. The first half of the declaration is so great, it could have been written by a Nelson Mandela of energy. It … [Read more...]
