Environmental Focus
Eskom upbeat as grid power increases
Eskom has successfully added 800MW to SA’s power grid by bringing Medupi unit four back online eight months ahead of schedule. This reintegration enhances grid stability and reduces the risk of load shedding. And, Electricity & Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa ...
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South Africa
Green light for Shell to drill off west coast
Shell has been granted environmental authorisation to drill up to five deep water wells off the west coast, according to a report on the TimesLIVE site. The oil major applied for authorisation last year and plans to drill exploration or ...
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Compensation, not demolition, order in wall tussle
A boundary wall built more than 22 years ago – which was erected on the incorrect boundary line, resulting in a portion of one neighbour’s property being encroached upon – has been the subject of a legal tussle between the ...
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Step forward for Coega green ammonia project
The Coega Green Ammonia Project has taken a major step forward with Hive Hydrogen launching a request for proposals (RFP) to 15 shortlisted engineering, procurement and construction firms. This follows a request for information that drew 48 responses for the ...
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Cape Town denies accusations of ocean pollution
Suspected rhino poacher found dead in Kruger
Outrage as young leopard dies in gin trap
ARVs found in SA's water sources
Criminal charges likely over George building collapse
Sparks fly over private firefighting service
DFFE revitalises small fishing harbours
UKZN venture harnesses AI to cut costs
DFFE plans to plant 1m trees
Probe exposes animal neglect at Mossel Bay park
Legalbrief Policy Watch
Consultations on raw water charges begin
The Department of Water & Sanitation has kickstarted public consultation meetings with water users on raw water use charges for the 2026/2027 financial year. ‘Raw water tariff consultations aim to update stakeholders, particularly water users, on the raw water ...
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Draft regulations for Climate Commission published
Forestry, Fisheries & Environment Minister Dion George has published draft regulations in Government Gazette on the administration and operation of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) for public comment. A Policy Watch report notes that the purpose of the draft regulations ...
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Analyses
African must push for gender-responsive policies
Gender-responsive policy is vital for climate resilience, but that requires actionable and better resourced plans. Kgaugelo Mkumbeni, research officer in climate risk and human security at the Institute of Security Studies, notes that ‘women and girls make up 80% of ...
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SA shoppers lack awareness of eco labels
South Africans want to shop more sustainably, according to research published in the journal Sustainable Development. But most can’t tell which products are environmentally friendly. Writing in an analysis in The Mercury, Miemie Struwig, Professor, Department of Business Management, Nelson ...
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Africa
High court to hear challenge over Lesotho dam project
The Katse Dam, the largest in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and a key water source for the Vaal Dam, which provides all of Johannesburg’s drinking water, is at the centre of a constitutional case to be heard by ...
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Unesco declares Maputo park a heritage site
Mozambique has received global acclaim for setting aside the Maputo National Park as the country’s second World Heritage Site, further strengthening its commitment to conserving a large area of its southern coastline for future generations. A Daily Maverick report notes ...
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Responsible sourcing initiative for Kenya
Circulate Initiative, a global non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing ocean plastic pollution in emerging markets, has officially launched the first African implementation of its Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya, marking a critical step in tackling systemic human rights challenges faced ...
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Malawi regulator tackles non-compliant firms
Harare faces probe over water contamination
World
Global climate litigation expanding
Climate-related litigation is expanding in scope and impact, with more cases reaching apex courts globally, according to the Grantham Research Institute’s 2025 study. An Out-Law.com report notes that while the overall volume of climate litigation has stabilised, high-level legal ...
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Greenpeace tackles oil giants for increasing Slapp suits
A landmark court case in the Netherlands could reshape global protest rights, as Greenpeace International seeks to recover damages from a $660m defamation ruling won by oil firm Energy Transfer in the US. A report in The Guardian notes that ...
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June heatwave caused 2 300 deaths in Europe
A recent analysis by the World Weather Attribution group has found that the late June 2025 heatwave across Europe caused approximately 2 300 deaths in 12 major cities – 1 500 of which are attributed to human-driven climate breakdown. According ...
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Coal funding rise despite climate commitments
Trump dilutes US' ability to respond to flooding
Supraglacial lake blamed for deadly flood
Brazil to issue carbon credits to curb deforestation
Start-up captures leaking refrigerants
Court settles right to light case
Enviro Briefs
Alleged abalone poachers arrested
* Five men were arrested in Jeffrey’s Bay for possession of a large number of abalone. Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy said police arrested the suspects in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act. Abalone with an estimated street value of ...
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Suspect faces charges of selling prohibited marine species
* Police have arrested a suspect found with 25 different fish species, frogs, crabs and lobster tails at fish shop in Monte Vista. Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said the man was facing charges of selling prohibited marine species and illegal possession ...
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City to spend R1.5bn on sewerage upgrades
* The City of Cape Town has allocated R1.5bn of its R4.9bn water and sanitation budget to upgrade its ailing sewerage network. City Mayco member Zahid Badroodien said ‘this means more proactive mechanisms put in place to make sure ...
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KZN finds lodge to house disaster victims
Dog mess fine waived due to lack of proof
Minister worried about planned St Helena Bay protest
Boys drown in open oxidation pond
Cheetah dies in Madhya Pradesh Park
Side Bars
Soweto geologist makes good
Soweto geologist makes goodIn the 1997 action film Dante's Peak, Pierce Brosnan plays the role of a volcanologist sent to investigate seismic activity beneath a long-dormant volcano. Years after its release, the story inspired South African Tebogo Makhubela to ...
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Gqeberha learners march against pollution
* A group of Gqeberha pupils took to the streets to take a stand against pollution and ensure the wellbeing of their community. The Zwartkops Conservancy, in partnership with the Motherwell Community and Enviro Hub, closed off their annual Environmental Awareness ...
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