the electric MISSION’s Post

The High Court in South Africa has issued an order to join the Minister of Electricity as a fifth respondent in the ongoing #CancelCoal case. This decision follows a joinder application submitted by the applicants, citing the Minister's pivotal role in determining new generation capacity. Centre for Environmental Rights #coalpower #fossilfuel #southafrica #energycrisis #leadershipcrisis #courtcase #airpollution #carbonemmissions #taxpayer https://lnkd.in/g_SYDw-U

The High Court in South Africa has issued an order to join the Minister of Electricity as a fifth respondent in the ongoing #CancelCoal case. This decision follows a joinder application submitted by the applicants, citing the Minister's pivotal role in determining new generation capacity. Centre for Environmental Rights #coalpower #fossilfuel #southafrica #energycrisis #leadershipcrisis #courtcase #airpollution #carbonemmissions #taxpayer https://lnkd.in/g978Jbpe

Several #environmental NGOs including Opportunity Green have jointly called on the U.K. #government to extend its Emission Control Areas (#ECA) to cover all of the U.K.'s waters. According to the U.K. government’s commissioned research, expanding the ECA could bring #economic benefits of up to £414.7 million ($452 million), the open letter from the NGOs argued. Read more on ENGINE: https://lnkd.in/d8Du4uCv #ngo #alternativeenergy #alternativefuels #news #energy #energynews #eu #ukwaters #euets #carbonemission #shipping #shippingindustry #shippingnews #maritimenews #maritimeindustry #netzero #netzeroemissions

❓ Could South Africa's recent High Court ruling on the Cancel Coal case mark a turning point in how energy policy and environmental obligations are balanced ❓ ▶️ What is the case about?  📍 In 2019, South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan proposed adding 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power to the grid. 📍 Civil society groups, representing the interests of children and future generations, challenged this on the grounds of its environmental impact and the constitutional rights of children to a healthy environment (sections 24 and 28 of the Constitution). ▶️ The court's decision: The High Court declared the government's decisions to approve this coal expansion: 👉 unconstitutional 👉 unlawful 👉 invalid The judgement emphasised the government's failure to: 👉 adequately consider the environmental and health impacts of additional coal power; and 👉 fulfil its constitutional obligations to protect children's rights, particularly their health and environment. ▶️ Why this matters This case is a milestone in aligning energy policy with constitutional and environmental obligations. However, it also raises critical Just Transition questions: ❓ How can South Africa balance the urgent need for clean energy with the economic realities of coal-dependent jobs❓ ❓What strategies can ensure security while protecting vulnerable populations during the transition❓ 💼 What businesses can do This case is a wake-up call for businesses and policymakers to prioritise sustainable practices and consider the legal and reputational risks of ignoring environmental impacts. 💬 Over to you What are your thoughts on the case? Could this signal a shift in corporate and governmental accountability in South Africa? How can industries prepare for stricter environmental scrutiny?  Let's discuss below! 👇 For those looking for a quick summary of the case, check out the links in the comments below. #SustainabilityRisk #ClimateLitigation #CancelCoal #ESG #JustTransition Planet Law Lab Centre for Environmental Rights African Climate Alliance Svetlana Ehtee, Ph.D.

Really NICE NEWS for the day. Our High Court has declared the government's plan to add 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power unlawful and unconstitutional! I love our constitution and courts. This decision followed a legal challenge led by youth climate activists and supported by impacted communities. Well done change champions! The court found that the government, particularly Minister Gwede Mantashe and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, failed to consider the constitutional rights of children and the environmental and health impacts of new coal power! (How they keep their jobs and don’t get prosecuted, is a miracle!) This ruling emphasizes protection of our constitutional rights, particularly those of youth, against shenanigans with fossil fuels and fossil ways of thinking!   #CancelCoal #ClimateJustice #YouthActivism #SouthAfrica #CoalPower #EnvironmentalRights #ClimateChange #LegalVictory #SustainableEnergy #HealthAndEnvironment #CleanEnergy #ConstitutionalRights #AfricanClimateAlliance #VukaniMovement #GroundWork #AirQuality #CoalIndustry #FutureGenerations #EnvironmentalActivism #HighCourtRuling

EU Blue Deal: A Missed Opportunity for European Municipalities? During my time in the CoR as a YEP and as a lobbyist in the EU Parliament, I was frequently asked about my work in Brussels. A common response was that I spent much of my time studying current, past, and proposed legislation. To illustrate this process, let's examine the EU Blue Deal. Conceived in 2013, the EU Blue Deal aimed to create a comprehensive plan for Europe's waters. After a decade of development, this ambitious project culminated in a proposal that incorporated contributions from all EU member states. A prime example of its impact can be seen in the resolution prioritizing water desalination for countries like Malta, Greece, and Cyprus. However, while the EU Blue Deal addresses several crucial water-related issues, it notably overlooks the critical matter of wastewater treatment. This omission presents a significant missed opportunity for European municipalities, as untreated wastewater can contaminate groundwater, posing a serious environmental threat. To truly achieve a sustainable water management strategy, the EU must prioritize wastewater treatment as a core component of future Blue Deal initiatives. By doing so, we can safeguard our precious groundwater resources and ensure a healthier, more resilient future for Europe. #EUBlueDeal #WaterManagement #SustainableWater #WastewaterTreatment #EnvironmentalSustainability #EUPolitics #ClimateAction #GreenDeal #EuropeanMunicipalities #GroundwaterProtection

🌍 Landmark Decision on Climate Action 🌱 The High Court in South Africa has made a groundbreaking ruling, halting the development of new coal-fired power plants. This decision underscores the growing global recognition of the need to prioritize public health and environmental sustainability over economic and infrastructure development. Courts have a critical role in holding policymakers accountable to safeguard our planet for future generations. #EnvironmentalLaw #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition https://lnkd.in/dkdFm4ek

Has the new Labour Government hit the ground running across the key departments with responsibility for #decarbonisation and #environmental sustainability? IEMA's Senior Public Affairs Officer Asim Ali examines this in his latest policy update, including: -> Who are the new Ministerial teams across DESNZ and DEFRA? -> What are they doing to reform the water sector? -> What is being done around the Environmental Improvement Plan? -> What is happening with Great British Energy? -> How will the new planning reforms affect efforts to achieve #NetZero and restore nature? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efMaqbh5

Looking to learn the latest about the #environment sector in Canada? In this edition: #GreenHydrogen hotbed happening in #Newfoundland and #Labrador with World Energy GH2; lessons learned from the #GreenPlan, according to policy analyst Colin Isaacs; call for #CleanEnergy from BC Hydro; legislation to support #CarbonCapture projects in #Manitoba; industry events such as the #EnvironmentalSummit presented by Environmental Services Association of Alberta; #ecoeducation opportunities with ECO Canada; and more. https://lnkd.in/gsfsqaCY

Today, on #policywednesdays, we're diving into the intricacies of the Climate Change Amendment Bill, Here's a simplified summary of the provisions of The Kenya Climate Change (Amendment) Act, 2023. Kenya's Climate Change Act, 2023, is a significant step forward in environmental governance. The Act introduces a Carbon Registry accessible to the public, tracking carbon credit projects and credits issued/transferred. Environmental safeguards are prioritized. All carbon trading projects require an environmental impact assessment, ensuring compliance with international obligations and specifying benefits to Kenya's climate goals. Community Development Agreements are crucial for community involvement. These agreements outline responsibilities and benefits for impacted communities, promoting environmental, economic, and social wellbeing. Annual Social Contributions ensure community empowerment. Land-based projects contribute 40% of earnings, non-land-based projects 25%, managed for community benefit. Dispute Resolution mechanisms are established for fair resolution. Disputes are resolved within 30 days for land-based projects, while others utilize alternative dispute resolution or National Environmental Tribunal recourse. Offenses and Penalties deter misconduct. Unauthorized carbon trading, false information, and other offenses carry fines up to KES 500,000,000 or imprisonment up to 10 years. Transitional Provision allows for adaptation. Existing carbon projects have a one-year transition period to align with the Act's provisions, ensuring a smooth implementation process.