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15 February 2025 Environmental Law & Justice Watch

Environmental Focus


SA throws more energy into mining sector

With turbulent headwinds slowing the green economy after Trump's takeover in the US, and a wave of conservative populist ideology sweeping democracies worldwide, nations and groups committed to sustainability have their work cut out for them. In SA, coal ... Read More

South Africa


R200m 'Slapp' suit against activist dropped

A property developer has withdrawn a damages claim of nearly R200m against a Johannesburg environmentalist and the conservancy she runs, which it had filed over objections to township applications it says delayed its projects. Century Property Developments and subsidiary Riversands ... Read More

Developer sued for stormwater damage

Simbithi Eco Estate has accused developers Balwin Properties of negligence in preventing stormwater from Ballito Hills damaging the luxury estate. A report in The Citizen notes that Simbithi is demanding about R1.4m compensation for damages to the eco-estate caused ... Read More

Protesters demand legalisation of artisanal mining

Demonstrators marched to the DMRE in Pretoria last week to call for the decriminalising of artisanal mining activities and to express disapproval of the government’s Operation Vala Umgodi, which closes disused mines. Organised by Mining Affected Communities United in Action ... Read More

Legalbrief Policy Watch


Greenhouse Gas report published

Forestry, Fisheries & Environment Minister Dion George has, in a Government Gazette notice, published the 9th National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. A Policy Watch report notes that it covers the period 2000-2022 and provides estimates of the current emissions levels ... Read More

Analysis


Legalise artisanal mining to make it sustainable

The World Bank estimates that artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) directly employs at least 45m people in 80 countries. ‘Yet the sector’s reach does not end there: an additional 270m people are working in services related to the sector; bringing ... Read More

Africa


Landmark Shell trial starts in the UK this week

Oil giant Shell will stand trial at the High Court in London from tomorrow to 13 February over claims it is responsible for oil pollution which has devastated two Nigerian communities and breached their right to clean and healthy environment ... Read More

Mnangagwa-linked mine fined over cyanide leak

ZimCN Investments, a company widely believed to be linked to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son, Collins, has been fined for breaching environmental regulations at its gold mining operation in Mashonaland East, according to the Zimbabwe Independent. Villagers in Mudzi ... Read More

Ugandan activists call for stronger policies

Uganda, a country heavily reliant on agriculture, is feeling the undeniable effects of climate change. A Nile Post report notes that from unpredictable rainfall patterns to escalating deforestation, the environmental shifts are having far-reaching impacts on the livelihoods of millions ... Read More

World


Trump targets climate change, dismantles EPA division

In a little over two weeks, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented steps to shutter or remake federal offices focused on the environment, causing turmoil and confusion for current and former employees. A report in The Washington Post notes that ... Read More

World experiences hottest January ever recorded

The world has just experienced the hottest January ever recorded, the World Meteorological Organisation said last week, citing data crunched by UN partner the Copernicus Climate Service. A UN News report notes that last month was 1.75°C above the ... Read More

Pace of global warming 'underestimated'

The pace of global heating has been significantly underestimated, according to renowned climate scientist Professor James Hansen, who said the international 2°C target is ‘dead’. A report in The Guardian notes that a new analysis by Hansen and colleagues concludes ... Read More

Enviro Briefs


DA fights to save heritage post office

* The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has opened a criminal case against property developer Ken Denton for the derelict state of the old post office in Gqeberha. The case was laid under sections 27(18) and 34(1) of the ... Read More

Lilyfontein School wins Wessa award

* Lilyfontein School was recently honoured with the prestigious Platinum 4 Decade Award by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (Wessa). Wessa encourages and supports citizen action for a healthier planet. Pupils and staff at Lilyfontein have made progress in ... Read More

Alberton residents evacuated after petrol spill

* Ekurhuleni disaster teams last week evacuated residents of Thinasonke in Alberton after the discovery of a petrol line that had been tampered with and damaged by suspected fuel thieves. William Ntladi from Ekurhuleni disaster and emergency management services said the ... Read More

Side Bars


Creche built from recycled tyres

Creche built from recycled tyresUsed tyres, bottles, mud, eco bricks and other recycled waste – these are some of the building materials being used to construct a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Heideveld. Named Goal 50, the 750m² centre will ... Read More

Africa50 sets up new investment vehicle

New regional funding vehicleAfrica50, a pan-continental infrastructure investor, is setting up the first region-wide investment vehicle dedicated to off-grid power companies and plans a $500m fund to invest in climate-friendly projects. The new funds at the investor, whose shareholders include ... Read More

Case Law Briefs


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